LN track star to defend state crown

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The state meet for high school track and field is next weekend, and Lawrence North senior Stacia Weatherford is planning to add to her state hardware.

"I'm thinking, 'Don't let the girl next to me beat me, beat them to the finish first,'" Weatherford said.

Weatherford said that's her motto when she's competing. She's the defending state champ in the 300 hurdles and the 1600 relay and she has no intentions of giving them up.

"I feel there is a target, but it's going to be moving really fast -- so those girls are going to have to have some good aim," she said.

Weatherford is also looking to capture the title in the 100 hurdles. The hurdles have been her focus since she started running in eighth grade.

Her coach, Legretta Smith said, "First of all, she has the height to hurdle and the work ethic. So when she comes out, she puts in the work."

While she has height and hard work on her side, hurdling is also in Weatherford's blood. Her mother was a member of the 1980 US Olympic team.

Weatherford said her mom gives her advice about tackling each hurdle.

"She tells me stuff about (hurdling), just getting my endurance up to run harder, to run fast and stay focus on the finish line," Weatherford said.

At Regionals, she set a record when she won the 300 hurdles and her relay team won.