NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Martins Ferry’s Alanna Williams continued to rewrite record books Saturday during the Ohio Division II Region 7 Track and Field Championships at The Johnson Family Track on the campus of Muskingum University.

The Purple Riders’ running machine circled the oval four times in 4 minutes, 50.96 seconds to easily break the 1600-meter run mark of 4:53.56 set by Barnesville’s Jenny Morgan in 2004. The junior then came back eight events later to establish a new record in the 800 as she clocked out in 2:11.44. That time bettered the 2007 clocking of 2:12.57 set by Logan Elm’s Emily Eickholt.

“I just try to get a PR (personal record) and win the race,” the soft-spoken Williams said. “I usually try to stay right behind whoever is leading the race and then outkick them at the end.”

Williams placed seventh in the Division III 800 last spring, something she is hoping to improve upon next weekend as she competes in the Ohio State Meet inside Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus.

“I’m looking for a higher spot on the podium next week.”

Both of Williams’ times were good enough to the US First Team Gold standard, according to MileSplitOH.

Also qualifying for Columbus on the girls side were Buckeye Local’s Jenna Delvecchio; St. Clairsville’s Ava Crum; and the Indian Creek duo of Trinity Greene and Gracie Klinesmith.

Delvecchio, a junior, placed second in the 100 Hurdles in 14.82 seconds, while Crum soared 10-foot-8-inches to take fourth in the pole vault. Greene ran fourth in the 100-meter dash in 12.77 and Klinesmith jumped 16-11.75 to place fourth in the long jump.

On the boys side, Barnesville sprinter Aden Zumock sprinted to titles in the 100 and 200. The senior ran 10.87 to win the 100 and then came back with a 22.13 which was good enough to finish first in the 200.

“It was pretty important to win this race,” Zumock said after the 100. “I don’t think it really matters in Columbus because you are running in a straight line.”

The key?

“I had a really good block start,” he explained. “I ran a great time.”

St. Clairsville’s Brady Blacker will run in two events in Columbus. The senior placed fourth in the 800 in 1:55.59, just missing the school record by fractions. He then teamed with Camden Judge, Landon Capers and Tyler Harris to place fourth in the 4×800 relay in a time of 8:02.43, which was good enough for a school record.

Barnesville’s Eli Messenger qualified in the 300 Hurdles. He placed third in 40.27.

The state meet gets started on Friday with Division II Field events at 9:30 a.m., along with Division III 4×800 relay races. State championships in Division II and III are set to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.