By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
The grand stage was none too big for Ca’Lae Ervin.
Union City’s sophomore entry in the Class 1A state pentathlon matched Tammy Critchfield’s 40-year-old school feat by placing fourth among a talented field at Middle Tennessee State University Wednesday.
Critchfield posted a similar finish in 1984.
Seeded fifth entering this year’s pentathlon, Ervin bettered that prediction by one position – piling up 2,439 points in five events, including a personal-best time (2:41.87) in the 800-meter run that ended the competition. She was just two points from finishing third overall.
Ervin placed second in the shot put (30’11.25”) and matched her career best by jumping 4’8” in the high jump, which was also good for a second-place tie. She was sixth in the 100-meter hurdles and ninth in the long jump.
The performance of the multi-talented 10th grader came as no shock to UC head coach Wade Maddox.
“Having been involved in gymnastics and as a cheerleader, she’s used to performing in front of crowds with people looking at her,” Maddox said. “She actually thrives in those situations, I believe. I don’t think there is a stage that’s too big for her.
“Today was really a testament to how naturally gifted she is. She puts a lot of work and effort into it, too. She wants to be good and knows she can get better. I have no doubt she’ll work extremely hard to get back here and do even better.”
Ervin will return to Dean Hayes Stadium to compete in next week’s individual state meet in the high jump and as part of Union City’s 4×400 relay team.
Crawford near top of decathlon leader board
Another UCHS sophomore, Adrian Crawford, is poised to challenge for the Class 1A decathlon state title after finishing Day 1 of the 10-event competition in third place.
Crawford, the West Sectional champion and the top seed in the state field, accumulated 2,507 points and trails leader Jacob Jones (MASE) by just 275 points.
Crawford, who’d already earned three berths in next week’s state meet, broke his own school record by winning the triple jump (44’5.5”) Wednesday. He was third in the 100 meters (11.76) and discus (85’1”) and tied for fourth in the pole vault (8’0”) despite being introduced to the event just last week.
Crawford did finish a disappointing 10th in the 400-meter run.
“He’s actually in great shape, standing-wise,” Maddox claimed. “He’s probably closer than what he was to first place in sectionals after Day 1. Two of his best events (high jump and long jump) are tomorrow, and I truly believe he’ll go into the last race (1500 meters) with a chance to win it all.”
In addition to the high jump, long jump, and 1500-meter run, Crawford will compete in the 110-meter high hurdles and the shot put on Thursday.