Michael Kiral / L’Observateur / April 20, 1998

RESERVE – Four Riverside girls’ track and field members had the opportunity to go against some of the best performers in the Southeast last weekend.

Hannah Hobdy, Amanda Roussel, Mandy Roussel and Melissa Martin were invited to the Danon/Winn-Dixie Meet of Champions held in Mobile, Alabama. The four were among the top athletes from a 10-state region tocompete in the meet.

Martin set a new meet record with a throw of 37 feet, 8 /12 inches in the shot put. That throw was also a personal and school record, breaking therecord set by Fran Vicknair.

“It went good,” Martin said. “There was a lot of good competition.Everybody threw over 35 feet.

“It helped me out because there was more competition. I do better whenthere are people after me.”Amanda Roussel, who set the school record in the high jump with a jump of 5-6 at the Riverside Relays Monday, tied for third in the event at Mobile, clearing the bar at 5-2. Roussel said she has been invited backnext year and is planning to attend.

“There were a lot of good jumpers,” Roussel said. “The competition waspretty intense. There were a lot of good people jumping in front of you andit made you want to try harder.”Mandy Roussel competed in the discus and placed eighth as the only Class 2A competitor going against others from Class 5A and 6A. Roussel saidthe level of competition should help her in the district meet next Wednesday at West St. John.Hobdy competed in both the long and triple jump, jumping 15-11 and 33- 11 1/2, respectively. She also said she had fun at the meet and that itshould help her in future competitions.

“They had some good girls there,” Hobdy said. “It was fun watching them.They make you want to do better and I wish I could jump against them every day.”

Return To News Stories