Spain Park (Senior): 800m: 2:14.75
Mackenzie Culpepper from Spain Park won the 800m in 2:14.75, breaking her previous meet record
from last year. Going into the race, she briefly talked to her coach, Michael Zelwak, and he simply said,
"Win". Coming off second place in the mile earlier (5:03.73), her legs felt awful going into the race and it
really messed with her mindset. When the gun went off, she got elbowed and fell to the back
immediately. For the first two laps she patiently sat behind Chelsea's Cady McPhail, fearing her
opponent's closing speed. With a lap to go, Hoover's McKenzie Blackledge passed by both of them with
a big surge. Culpepper knew she had to cover the move if she wanted a chance to win. She passed Cady
on the straight and was forced to pass Blackledge on the turn. From there, it was a foot race to the
finish. Mackenzie did exactly what Coach Zelwak asked of her, but he knows there is more potential.
With the proper belief in herself and being more assertive, he believes she can run a time she can be
even more proud of.