By Chris Parker
As far as birthdays go, El Dorado Springs senior Neely Schaaf got a pretty good present in the form of her third straight Class 3 4×800-meter state championship of her career.
“I couldn’t ask for anything better. This has to be the best present I’ve got throughout my life,” Schaaf said.
Last year, Schaaf handed anchor McKinli Mays the baton in second place. This year, the birthday girl was gave her teammate the present of handing her the baton in first place.
“I know McKinli (Mays’) ability. Even when I am in a tight race I know if I give it to her with a little bit of gap that she will get them at the end,” Schaaf said. “It felt pretty surreal when I gave it to her in first because I knew she would take it away from there.”
Take it she did, Mays closed it down with a 2:24.30 to secure a final time of 9:41.80 for first place, which was five seconds ahead of runner-up St. Genevieve.
This year’s 4×800 relay was the same as last season with Mays and Schaaf joined by Tatum Quinlan and Audrey Goatley. Quinlan ran a time of 2:25.35, Goatley a 2:26.33 and Schaaf posted a 2:24.84.
The quartet came in with confidence.
“We came in with the same mindset. We didn’t lose anybody, so we knew we were capable of getting another plaque and being on top of that podium again,” Schaaf said.
Their competitiveness was on display throughout with Quinlan running the third-fastest opening leg while Goatley and Schaaf each moved up one spot on their legs before Mays closed it out.
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“All of us are dogs. I think we just go out there with a killer mindset and we are going to go get that person in front of us or if we pass them, we are going to take it away,” Schaaf said.
For Schaaf, she will close her high school career out on Saturday running legs on the 4×200 and 4×400, where the Lady Bulldogs will look to defend another state titles.
“It is kind of gross to think about it (her career being over). I have grown up in El Do my whole life and been a part of all the sports in that program,” Schaaf said. “It would be nice to go out with another plaque. I think that would be a pretty good way to go out.”
