Broken Bow's White dominates 3,200

Katie White is back and better than ever.

White, a senior at Broken Bow, was hampered greatly by a leg injury during the 2007 track season. White showed Friday that she has put that injury far behind her.

White, a Nebraska recruit, dominated the Class B state field in winning the 3,200-meter run in 10 minutes, 51.81 seconds. That was her personal best by about 18 seconds.

"It feels good to get the time I was shooting for," White said. "I wanted to get under 11. I'm happy with that because I definitely got under 11."

White's time wasn't too far off the Class B state record of 10:46.86 set by York's Nora Shepherd in 1993. But like most of her races this year, White didn't have anyone to push her.

She took the lead after the first 500 meters and kept pulling away from the field. A little encouragement from Broken Bow coach Kirk Petit didn't hurt any.

"I heard my coach yelling, ’Get out there and set your pace,'" White said. "He always says the first lap don't go out too hard because you still have so many laps left."

Omaha Gross' Eliza Kolbo finished second in 11:21.55. Kolbo won the Class B title a year ago with White finishing third.

Of course last year White couldn't train much because of the leg injury. She didn't practice between meets and she warmed up for the state meet on a stationary bike.

"It feels good just to be able to run, honestly," White said. "I was getting a little off pace there for a couple of laps, but I think I had a good last lap. Maybe I should have used it earlier.

"I don't want to say this, but I think maybe I could have run faster. But it's hard during the middle of the race. Obviously you're tired."

White will go for state titles today in the 800 and the 1,600. White won the 1,600 as a freshman and again as sophomore. She also won the 800 as a sophomore.

"I'll celebrate this for a little bit," White said of the 3,200 victory. "This one I thought was probably my best. I know tomorrow in the 800 I'm really going to have to work in that one. I'll just go out and work as hard as I can. Whatever I end up with, as long as I give my best, I'm happy with."

St. Paul's Matt Cooper had the best time in the Class B 100 preliminaries at 11.04. He also had the best 200 preliminary time of 21.91.

Hastings St. Cecilia's Abby Jackson had the fastest 400 preliminary time of 59.52.

Several other Class B area athletes placed on Friday:

--St. Paul's Justine Dethlefs was fourth in the long jump (17-43-4) while Hastings St. Cecilia's Audrey Gaspers was sixth (16-6 1-4).

--Aurora's Ashton Henderson was third in the discus (126-6).

--Adams Central's Creighton Brei was second in the triple jump at 45 1 3-4. Central City's Sam Kuck was fifth at 43-8 1-2.

--St. Cecilia's Riley Nikkila was fifth in the pole vault (13-6) with Ord's Derek Leth sixth (13-6) and Broken Bow's Austin Hendrickson eighth (13-6).

--Hastings' Bryce Knaub was third in the shot put (52-7 1-2).