Salem freshman Chaya Murray races to the state title in the Division III 200-meter dash Saturday night. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

Salem freshman Chaya Murray smiles after getting her gold medal at the state track meet Saturday. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

Salem 1600-meter relay runners Karlie Sampson (left) and Abby Knickerbocker head to the podium Saturday. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

By RON FIRTH

Sports Editor

COLUMBUS — Salem freshman Chaya Murray is so fast that she was standing on the podium as they started her final race Saturday night.

Murray was getting her gold medal for winning the Division III 200-meter dash when the 1600-meter relay race started at the state track and field meet.

“I told an official, ‘Sir, we have our anchor and she’s on the podium,'” Salem senior Karlie Sampson said.

Murray raced onto the track and led the Quakers to their most points ever at the state meet with 23 1/2 points.

“That was pretty historic,” Salem girls coach Ted Yuhaniak said.”They had to be ready. They never acted like there was not going to be a race. This is meant to be.”

Murray ran away with the state championship in the 200 dash and anchored the 400 relay team that was fifth and the 1600 relay team that was eighth — all in school record times.

“I told myself I can do anything,” Murray said.

Officials were moving things along due to an approaching storm and it lasted about 90 minutes.

“It was a whirlwind,” Yuhaniak said. “It was our fastest meet of the year. Being selfish, I would have liked Chaya to have more time on the podium and enjoy it. They did it to other kids.”

Murray ran a personal-best 24.52 seconds to win the 200 dash going away. Down the stretch, she pulled away from Ottawa-Glandorf senior Alivia Grothause — the 100-meter state champion (12.12).

“When I was coming off the turn I felt it,” Murray said.

“You could tell by her start it was over,” Yuhaniak said. “We know how strong she is in the wide turns.”

“I have never seen a person that fast,” Sampson said.

Grothause was second in 25.02 seconds.

Murray became the third Salem girls state track champion — joining Makenna Rudy (shot put in 2023) and Theresa Kaine (3200 run in 1991)

“It’s just crazy,” Sampson said. “We told her all along she’s a dog. You can win this.”

Murray started the day by joining senior Angie Hoffaker, junior Abby Knickerbockerand Sampson on the 400 relay team that was fifth in a school-record 49.21 seconds.

“Crazy,” Hoffaker said. “I trust Chaya with all my heart she’s going to have a good race.”

After winning the 200 dash, Murray handed her gold medal and sprinted to the 1600 relay. She joined senior Laura Hovorka, Sampson and Knickerbocker on the relay team that was eighth in 3:59.36.

“It was the last race with my senior friends,” Murray said. “I was proud of them.”

“I can’t remember remember the last time a sprint relay team made the finals,” Yuhaniak said. “That was their goal.”

Now the expectations will be even higher for Murray.

“I told her to enjoy the moment,” Yuhaniak said. “I know she’s going to continue to work and continue to be a good teammate.”

LONG NIGHT

After two weather delays totaling nearly six hours, the Division III finals got under way around 9 p.m. at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

“It’s so thrilling at nighttime under the lights and at Jesse Owens Stadium,” Hoffaker said.

Delays started at 11:27 a.m. and another at around 4:45 p.m.

“Every time they delayed the race, ugh,” Hoffaker said. “It just gave us more time to spend with each other. We sat in the hotel, played cards and games, had fun and laughed.

“We just relaxed and had fun,” Murray said.

Murray’s state title came at 10:10 p.m. and the meet ended at 10:28 p.m.

“I don’t think the weather affected us at all,” Murray said. “It gave us an opportunity to run under the lights.”

It just pushed past some of their bedtimes.

“Maybe past Chaya’s,” Hoffaker said.

“Right now it’s past my bedtime,” Murray said. “But that’s all right, I’m having a lot of fun.”

MEET NOTES

• Salem senior Laura Hovorka and freshman Addison Hopple both ran personal bests again in the Division III 800 meters.

Hovoka finished 12th (2:19.89) and Hopple was 17th (2:22.45). Minerva sophomore Tateum Richard was fourth in a personal-best 2:12.88.

Athens senior Sophia Szolosi, a Duke signee, won in 2:08.82.

Szolosi has 13 state titles in track and cross country.

• Most of the Salem athletes stayed overnight with their parents, while Yuhaniak brought the rest back in the school van. He got home at 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

• Salem cross country practice starts at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

“Chaya plans on doing it again (along with soccer),” Yuhaniak said. “The plan will be a little different than the other cross country girls (more speed work).”

Hopple, Emily Sinsley and alternate Liliana Pimentel Alexander are among the other state track qualifiers returning to the cross country team.

“They want to be there and meet some of the new ones,” Yuhaniak said. “They get a little break. Well deserved.”