With Bulldog determination, Daniel doesn't want to taste defeat

Notre Dame senior Katie Daniel hates to lose.

Over the past two years, Daniel hasn't had to worry about feeling that disappointment very often.

Competing in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, Daniel has dominated those events around the area.

So when Daniel finished second in the 300 hurdles at the district meet on May 14, she knew there was a settle to score. Daniel showed no mercy on the sectional field, blowing away her competitors by more than 1.5 seconds in a time of 46.57 seconds.

Now the only meet left for Daniel to conquer is the state meet, where she finished seventh in the 100 hurdles last year and missed out on all-state honors in the 300 hurdles. Daniel will get another crack at the state field today when the Class 3 state track meet begins at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.

"At district, the girl from Farmington beat me, so I came back at sectional and took her," Daniel said. "There's no chance to avenge any losses any more, so I just have to win."

Daniel is coming into the state meet with plenty of momentum after a dominating sectional performance. If Daniel's sectional times can carry over -- Daniel ran a 15.54 in the 100 -- she should be in contention for a state title. Last year's winner in both events, senior Tonniece Williams of Ruskin, ran a 15.44 and 45.30 in the 100 and 300, respectively, last year at the state meet.

"She basically did blow away the field in the 300," Notre Dame coach Bill Davis said of Daniel's sectional run. "She ran that uncontested after the fourth hurdle. I'm sure she can run faster."

This will be the fourth trip to Lincoln University for Daniel.

"I'm going hoping to break some records and get a state championship," Daniel said. "I'm sure I can place in both, get all-state. Hopefully, I'm going to break the 15-second barrier and compete with [Orie] Ibe from Ladue. I think I have a chance to compete for that top spot."

Besides Daniel, senior pole vaulter Bryce Willen also has a chance to bring home a state title for the Bulldogs. Willen was third last year at the state meet by clearing 13 feet, 6 inches. At the sectional meet, Willen won with a mark of 14-0. Willen has cleared 14-3 this year.

"I think I have a good chance to come out on top this year if I do what I can," Willen said. "It looks like there's going to be some stiff competition right around 14 feet, so if I can clear that height with as little scratches as possible, I like my chances. It's going to come down to scratches."

Added Davis: "He's got a chance. There are a couple of other kids going 14 feet or better, he's just right there."

This is the fourth appearance for Willen at the state meet in the pole vault. Willen finished seventh at the Class 2 state meet as a freshman and tied for 10th as a sophomore. This is also Willen's second trip to a state championship this year after reaching the state final four with the basketball team that eventually finished fourth.

"It'd be nice to bring back a state title," Willen said. "A lot of those guys are rooting for me."

Notre Dame's boys 3,200 relay team should be in the mix for a top-eight finish again this year. The Bulldogs finished second at both the district and sectional meets to Potosi. Austin Critchlow, Jason Delgado, Matt Pfau and Mark Zimmer make up the relay team.

Davis said Potosi will likely be the favorite.

"It would be nice to finish second," Davis said. "That would be the ultimate to finish behind them. I really think that has been an advantage for us. We've seen the best in the state."

Pfau will run individually in the 1,600, and Critchlow will run in the 800. Critchlow finished second in the 800 at last year's state meet.

Notre Dame's other girls entry is in the 800 relay. Hannah Glueck, Haley Bohnert, Emily Bira and Amber Karnes run on the team.

Also in Class 3, Perryville should have several good opportunities for all-state honors. The Pirates finished fifth in the 1,600 relay last year at the state meet, and should be one of the contenders for a top-eight finish again. Terry Wood, Kyle Lorenz, Jesse Kueker and Kyle Cottner run on the 1,600 relay team.

Individually, Matt Unterreiner in the 110 hurdles and Cottner in the long jump and triple jump have chances at all-state honors.

CLASS 3 STATE QUALIFIERS

Notre Dame

Boys: Bryce Willen (pole vault); Austin Critchlow (800); Matt Pfau (1,600); 3,200 relay (Jason Delgado, Mark Zimmer, Critchlow, Pfau).

Girls: Katie Daniel (100 and 300 hurdles); 800 relay (Haley Bohnert, Hannah Glueck, Emily Bira, Amber Karnes)

Perryville

Boys: Matt Untereinner (110 hurdles); Josh Hayden (110 hurdles); Ben Rhyne (discus); Kyle Cottner (long jump and triple jump); 3,200 relay (Jesse Kueker, Ryan Regelsperger, Terry Wood, William Benline); 400 relay (Kyle Lorenz, Zach Hanquist, Adam Westmoreland, Unterreiner); 1,600 relay (Wood, Lorenz, Kueker, Cottner).

Girls: Elizabeth Martin (800)