Tigers’ Sadie Gray to run track at Marietta College

MARIETTA -- Marietta High School senior Sadie Gray figured her athletic career ended with the closure of the high school track season.

To her surprise, a text arrived several weeks ago from the coaching staff at Marietta College expressing interest and Gray made a complete 180 on her future after graduation.

Gray, who excelled as a sprinter and long jumper, jumped at the opportunity. The news happened so quickly she is still pondering her major.

"Three or four weeks ago I got the text, so it's been very last-minute," Gray said. "I'm also very nervous, but it makes me very excited to push myself further. I'm so excited I get to do this.

"It never dawned on me growing up in Marietta I would be getting to use the (athletic facilities at Marietta College). I thought, I just live in a town with a college, but never expected I would be going there.

A ceremony making her decision concrete was held Tuesday afternoon inside the lobby of the high school gymnasium with several handfuls of family who gathered as her personal rooting section at meets.

"My mom (Natalie Gray) is very excited that I am going to continue running," Gray said. "(My family) is so happy I am here, but also happy that I am not going to stop running."

Gray and her 4×200 teammates were recently named all-district for Division I in Ohio for the third time in four years.

This year's relay consists of four seniors - Gray, Flora Burgardt, Isabella Becker and Madison Hogue. The exact same foursome also competed in the 4×100 with Gray leading off both relays.

"We were friends freshman through senior year, but it just got stronger," Gray said. "It's sad to see everyone go because we are all going our separate ways. I'm going to miss them very much as teammates and as friends."

Both relays and Gray in the long jump qualified for regionals during her freshman and sophomore year.

"Sadie has been a great athlete for four years, scores hundreds of points for us every meet - we are definitely going to miss her," Marietta track coach Mollie Schramm said. "She loves running the relays. She is great getting out of the blocks and always gets us a really good start. That consistency makes a big difference.""

Gray concentrated on the sprints and long jump since middle school.

In college where individuals become more specialized, she has been encouraged by coach Schramm to test the waters in the javelin, since the event incorporates speed before the throw.

Senior year for Gray at Marietta High School involved an array of activities on the athletic front. She extended the box for a sprinter while running cross country for the first time. During the winter, swimming for the Tigers was also a new experience for her.

"Cross country didn't go very well this - I am still a sprinter," Gray said. "I was just trying stuff out this year. I wanted to be in shape for track and also try something out. Swim definitely helped my upper body. I felt more conditioned going into this track season."

Marietta College assistant track coach Eric Klopfenstein reached out to Gray earlier this school year, but time passed with little contact. However, his recent text definitely made an impact with Gray.

"I was never much interested in college and my whole senior year I wasn't planning on going," Gray said. "Then I got an offer from the coach to run and it completely flipped my mind around. I thought this would be really good for me. I don't want to give up track yet.

"(Coach Klopfenstein) and I have been texting back and forth. They are very excited and I am honored they reached out to me. I'm very grateful."

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com