ENID —



Chauntreese Tiatrakul was thankful to be at Enid High School for her senior year, instead of Alaska where she ran track a year ago.

“I walked outside about this time a year ago and I saw a moose and I had to run back inside my house,’’ she said with a chuckle.

Tiatrakul showed how fast she could run when she placed sixth in the girls’ 55 meters at the Oklahoma Track Coaches Association Indoor Championships at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center Coliseum with a time of 7.36 seconds. She was third in the high jump with a 4-8.

“It’s a rush to be one of the fastest girls on the team,’’ said Tiatrakul, who had a 8.46 in the 60 at an indoor meet at Norman last week.

 “I was pretty pumped up. Just knowing I got in the finals was heart-pumping. I did a lot better than last week, but I feel I can improve.’’

With her mother being a teacher, Tiatrakul has moved a lot. The family has lived in Washington, Oregon and California as well as Alaska.

“Running for a new school has put me in a position where I have to go out there and fight for my spot,’’ she said.

Tiatrakul is known for her personality. She’s never met a stranger.

“Track is a good way to make friends,’’ Tiatrakul said. “The girls that I ran in the finals with, I made friends with them the moment we were heating up. It makes me feel good that I have their support, even though we’re not on the same team.

“When you see them at a meet, I greet them and tell them ‘I’m gunning for you.’ It’s friendly competition.’’

Tiatrakul has welcomed being able to work out outside in January. In Alaska, it’s almost the end of the season before she can even go outside.

“You put on mittens, gloves ... everything you can without being disqualified,’’ she said. “Getting to practice gives me the confidence to get out here and do it again to get better.’’

Other indiv idual Pacer placers were Cara Merz, fourth, 800, 2:38.94; Brittany Urban, fifth, 1,600, 6:00; Holly Stuart, second, triple jump, 29-2; Taylor Hole, fourth, shot put, 31-2; and Audrey Rose, fifth, shot put, 29-101⁄2.



Meet learning time for Frantz



Rob Frantz had throws of 40-51⁄2, 41-6 and 40-51⁄2 in the shot put in only his second track meet. He only started throwing the shot two weeks ago.

“It’s frustrating because I thought I could have done better today,’’ said Frantz, who threw 43-8 last week at Norman. “The thing I’m taking out of this is to be more mentally focused. I probably tried too hard today. I should have taken my time instead of rushing it.’’

Frantz did have a rooting section with his parents and grandparents and friends watching him.

“That puts a little pressure on me,’’ he said with a smile. “I guess I’ll blame it on them. Things just didn’t go my way. I couldn’t get anything going.’’

Enid assistant coach Blake Eaton, who coaches Frantz and the other shot putters, was encouraged by Frantz’s attitude.

“I’m glad he’s upset because that shows he wants to do better,’’ Eaton said. “That’s a competitor. He’s learning. ‘’



Handley satisified with time



Seth “Popeye’’ Handley finished third in the boys’ 55-meter dash with a time of 6.42 seconds.  He still is getting into track shape from football. He was third in the 400 meters in 53.47.

“I’m satisfied,’’ he said. “My goal today was just to try as hard as I can. It’s early. I still have time to get my times down.’’



Craven still getting into shape



James Craven reached the boys’ 55-meter hurdles finals where he was seventh with a time of 7.82 seconds.

“I felt like I could have done better,’’ he said. “I was going way up over the hurdles because I didn’t want to knock any of them down.’’

Craven said he’s still getting into shape after not running during the summer. Alex Lofton was fifth in the 400 (54.06) and long jump (19-101⁄2) . Johnny Lawrence was sixth in the long jump (19-81⁄2).