Dampier makes state track history

FAIRBANKS – Wasilla's Morgan Dampier won both the 400 and 800 meter races today at the ASAA First National Bank 4A State Trackand Field Championships in Fairbanks, becoming the first athete in state history — boy or girl — to win both at the same state meet.

Dampier also shattered her own state record in the 880 with a time of 2 minutes, 10 seconds. The wins mean the Warrior girls have the potential to win the team title.

Earlier in the day, the Wasilla girls sprinted to a dominating showing in the 100-meter dash. Dajanae Harris won the event with a time of 12.4 seconds, followed closely by Dampier at 12.5 seconds.

A pair of upsets earned Mat-Su Valley athletes gold during the first round of the state meet on Friday.

Palmer senior Erin LaMere, who has stood just behind Colony senior Shellina Irwin throughout the 2011 season, upset the defending state champion in the finals of the girls’ shot put Friday afternoon. LaMere used a throw of 35 feet, 10.75 inches to win the event and take Alaska state gold. Irwin, who won state shot put last season, fell just short at 35-6.75.

Colony sophomore Audrey Michaelson bested top-seeded Jaymi Bethea of Kodiak to win the girls’ 3,200-meter Friday. Michaelson finished with a time of 11 minutes and 7 seconds, a full 12 seconds better than her prior best.

Thanks to Michaelson and Irwin, the Knights stand atop the girls leader board after Day 1 with 18 points in the team standings.

Palmer’s Rachael Huffman also finished fourth in the shot put.

In boys’ action, Wasilla junior Devon Teeling finished fourth in the discus.

The championships continue Saturday at Lathrop High in Fairbanks.