from tack to pageant
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Roane County’s Jessica Roberts leads the pack early in the 3200 meters during the Region I track meet in Ellenboro. Roberts finished second in the race. |
SPORTS EDITOR - Whether she’s wearing high heels or track shoes, Morgan Cottrell’s still a queen.
Cottrell pulled off a rare double on back-to-back nights last week. The Roane County High School junior captured the Class AA Region I high jump crown on Friday and followed that effort by winning a real crown Saturday at the Miss W.Va. Black Walnut Festival Scholarship Pageant.
Think the worlds of athletics and pageants don’t have anything in common? Think again.
“There’s competition in both,” Cottrell said. “If you don’t want to win, there’s no point in being there.”
Cottrell’s big weekend started with the regional meet at Ritchie County, where she cleared 5 feet, 2 inches and placed first. Earlier this season, she topped 5-5 to win the LKC title and set a new conference record in the process.
An all-around athlete, she also qualified for this week’s state meet in the 100-meter dash and as a member of the 4x200 relay team. Cottrell also excels at volleyball and softball.
Fresh off her track showing, the 5-foot-6 brunette with hazel eyes was judged best in a field of 28 contestants Saturday at the RCHS auditorium and named queen of the 2008 Black Walnut Festival. She will reign over the Oct. 9-12 event in Spencer.
While Cottrell says a competitive attitude is helpful in both, she said her mind stays focused on the task at hand.
“No, not at all,” she said when asked if she was looking ahead to the pageant during the regional track meet. “But after my events were over, I knew I had to get home and get in bed because of the pageant.”
Cottrell has participated in sports and pageants since she was a little girl. She said performing on a track is much easier for her than performing on a pageant stage.
“It’s a lot harder answering questions on stage,” she said. “The high jump just comes so naturally now, it’s not nearly as nerve wracking. I’ll be a little more nervous (at the state meet) because it’s a bigger field, but it’s still not that bad.”
Cottrell noted that other girls double as athletes and pageant contestants. The dual role reflects her personality, she said.
“It kind of depends on the day,” she explained. “I like to dress up, but I don’t mind playing in the dirt. I’m a little bit of both.”
So, which was the greater thrill? Regional track champ or Black Walnut Festival queen?
“Honestly, the pageant was a bigger thrill because it was more of a shock,” Cottrell said. “In track, I’m more used to it.”
Don’t be surprised if there are more crowns in Cottrell’s future, no matter what kind of shoes she happens to be wearing.
