Taryn Parks had already won an XC state title and a pair of outdoor state titles, so on Sunday she was looking to add one she didn't have yet: an indoor state championship.
The Greencastle-Antrim junior did that and more at Penn State's Ashenfelter Indoor Track, running to a pair of wins during a busy meet.
Parks started her day off, running to the win in the mile. Marlee Starliper scratching the state meet made Parks to new top seed and she dominated the race. She had a conservative start that found her towards the back of the back, but at 600 meters in Parks assumed the lead. From there, she put a gap on the field and kept extending it.
She looked smooth bringing it home for the win in 4:53.48, possibly even saving a little for a later race.
Next up was the 800 meters. Once again, Parks was near the back of the pack through the first lap after a blistering pace was set. After 400 meters, Parks went to the front and it became a race between her and the upstart freshman Micah Trusty from Friends' Central.
Once again, Parks was victorious, closing hard to win in 2:09.87, the fastest time in PA this season and a US#11 off of a double.
With state wins in all three seasons, Parks moves into her third outdoor season aiming for the three-peat in the 1,600 meters. The junior is running the best of her career right now, as evidenced by her incredible double win at states.
Watch the races above and check out two interviews with Parks after each race from Sunday below:
Post-Mile Interview:
Post-800m Interview:
