'She really had a big day'
Ashley Roush cemented her position as one of the top pole vaulters in the Palmetto State with a share of first place in the Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic District 6 Qualifier on March 21.
The following day, the talented Philip Simmons High School standout’s recognition stretched coast-to-coast. Roush was crowned a national champion with a gold-medal effort of 3.50 meters in the pole vault at the Adidas Track Nationals, which were contested in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Roush, who is a two-time state champion in the pole vault, also earned Adidas All-America status for the second straight year.
“Ashley won the pole vault at the District 6 qualifier, which automatically qualified her for nationals,” coach Emma McCauley said. “She also placed in the top five in her other events at the qualifier; the high jump and the 4x100 (meter) relay. She had a big day.”
Roush, who also owns a gold medal for a state championship in the long jump, was one of many Iron Horses who shone brightly at the District 6 qualifier, which was contested at Cane Bay High School.
Class AAAAA entry Wando topped the Iron Horse girls 113.50 to 92. James Island was third with 70. Bishop England was seventh with 45.50 points.
Wando also won the boys meet, edging out Cane Bay, 84.5 to 80 for the top spot. Stratford was third with 71. The Bishops finished sixth with 54 points and Philip Simmons was eighth with 45.
The March 21 meet at Cane Bay was one of six qualifying venues for the Coaches Classic Elite, which will be contested April 17 at Whale Branch Early College High School in Seabrook, South Carolina.
It will be one of the last major meets before the region and state championships.
McCauley, whose team is seeking its second straight state title and fourth in the last six years, was pleased with her team’s effort.
“Our girls did an incredible job finishing second overall to Wando,” McCauley said. “My alma mater is Wando, and I ran for track coach Kevin Shiver, who is still head coach. So, I love competing alongside Kevin and his 5-A program.
“I feel honored to have a team with such hard-working athletes who can roll with the big dogs of the Lowcountry,” McCauley said. “We are looking forward to the remainder of the season.”
Julia Reilly had a big effort at the qualifier with a gold medal in the long jump and a bronze in the triple jump. Laura Perry finished third in the 1,600-meter run. The Iron Horse 4x800-meter relay finished in third place.
Matthew Perry led the Iron Horse boys with a silver medal in the 1,600 run while the 4x800 relay team was third.
The Bishops had solid efforts at the district qualifier.
Olivia Allen claimed a silver medal in the 400-meter dash while Lily Edgerton was third in the 400-meter hurdles. Katie Griffin was third in the pole vault, and Kinsley Watson won a bronze medal in the javelin. The 4x800 relay team also finished third.
Connor Good and William Mote both won two individual medals for the Bishop boys. Good won gold in the 1,600 run with a time of 4:29.75 and silver in the 3,200-meter run. The sophomore Mote claimed silver in the 200 dash and a bronze in the 400 dash.