The KNIA-KRLS countdown of Norwalk’s Top 10 Sports Stories from the 2022-23 school year has reached the number 2 moment. In a season marred by injury, Warrior senior sprinter Claire Farrell took home the Class 4A championship medal in the 400-meter dash.
Farrell, who will run collegiately at Kansas University, battled a nagging hamstring injury throughout the indoor and spring season, but was able to qualify for state in the 100, 200 and 400-meter sprints for the third consecutive year. On day one of the Iowa High School State Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium, Farrell was on her game. She ran the fastest prelim times in the 100 and 200, then claimed her second career 400 title with a time of 55.62 seconds.
Farrell told KNIA-KRLS Sports that it was a sweet feeling to reclaim the gold, adding that she proved something to herself along the way. “It feels great. I have not (run) almost all season. I got back really late in the game, but figuring out that I could actually make it back from an injury – even though I’ve never had a hamstring injury – in a way it was a confidence booster because I realized that I could actually get back to my normal. So to come back out here and actually win, I’m shocked but obviously very happy.”
Farrell’s quest for a three-sprint title sweep came to an unfortunate end two days later when she reinjured the hamstring during the 100-meter final and placed eighth. She then scratched from the 200 final. Farrell placed second in all three of her signature events as a junior. Her sophomore year, Farrell placed first in the 400, second in the 100 and third in the 200.
In addition to Farrell’s success, the Warrior girls broke three school records at the state meet: Kate Desmond in the 100-meter hurdles (15.66), Bree Mauro in the 800 (2:21.33) and the distance medley relay team of Juliana Warren, Jillian Hammond, Ashlyn Brown and Mauro (4:21.07). The shuttle hurdle relay team of Desmond, Ella Johnson, Chloe Martin and Shae Ung broke a school record in their 4A state qualifying meet (1:05.93) and placed sixth at state.