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Mallie McNair, competing here at the Dundy Co. Stratton meet on Friday, set new CCS and SPVA Conference records in the 800 last week. (Johnson Publications photo)

Mallie McNair starting to like the 800 meter run

New school record holder just a freshman

    Mallie McNair was just two years old when Michelle (Dill) May set the 800 meter run record at Chase County Schools (CCS).
    Thirteen years later, the CCS freshman’s name will be up on the 800 record board at CCS after turning in a pair of great times last week.
    The 2004 school record set by Dill May at 2:21.0 was erased first by young McNair at the SPVA Conference Meet last week when she ran 2:20.86.
    Mallie went a step further, though, bettering that time just three days later at Friday’s Dundy Co. Stratton twilight meet with a 2:20.72 first place run.
    Her times not only broke the school record, but on May 2, she set the SPVA record, also held by Dill May, who recorded both school and conference records in 2004 at the SPVA meet held in Imperial.
    The 800 is a signature race for several generations in the McNair family.
    Chase County’s home invitational each April presents a special Bill McNair Memorial Medal to the male and female 800 winners, in memory of Mallie’s great grandfather, who loved the race.
    However, Mallie said she didn’t like the 800 at first.
    “But, by the Dundy Co. Stratton meet I did because I kept improving my time,” she said.
    While the 400, in which she also excels, is her favorite track event, the 800 is gaining, she smiled.
    She likes to run, but admitted she gets nervous when competing.
    “But then I tell myself to just go run,” she said.
    When asked what her strategy is in running the 800, she listens to her coaches, who tell her to keep focused.
    “They tell me to get out and set a strong pace in the first lap,” she said, “and stay relaxed.”
    For the next 200, she tries to “stay strong,” noting that’s when other runners may start to lock up.

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