Girls T&F: VanHoveln Sets New School Record in 3200M

Only a year after it was set, the girls record in the 3200M run has been defeated again. After a gutsy race in the Regional Championship, Sophomore Lila VanHoveln holds the new record in a time of 10:41.69.

This comes after VanHoveln won in Sectionals in her then personal record of 11:01.

“After running an 11:01 and being seeded second going into Regionals I was just super motivated. It felt like all my hard work was really starting to show,” VanHoveln said. 

VanHoveln knew as she got on the line that it wouldn’t be easy, and wouldn’t be fun but she had her mind set on it.  

Leading up to this, VanHoveln had been mentally preparing herself for days. From a hard workout the Friday before, to focusing on recovery the whole long weekend she was ready. 

“As soon as the gun went off I just wanted to give it my all,” she said.  

VanHoveln sprinted off the start line and ended up running a time of 10:41.69 to capture the school record by 2 seconds. VanHoveln kicked hard and ended up edging out second place by less than second. The time also puts VanHoveln in the top ten heading into the state meet.

In doing so, VanHoveln hit the state standard, meaning her time this year would have allowed her to capture a state medal in last year’s IHSAA State Final. 

Her counterpart in the 3200 meter run, Gabby Smith said, “Lila has just been working so hard the whole year. She deserves this moment.” 

Now, VanHoveln has a week ahead of her before she heads down to compete in the IHSAA State Finals at North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 6.