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DAYTON — Jordan

Stafford's track career began with a bang three years ago with a victory in the 800-meter run at Division II state track meet as a freshman in 2005.

She nearly won the event again in 2006 as a sophomore, finishing second. But two injury-plagued years have prevented Stafford from making a return to Columbus — until now.

The

Greenon senior won the 400 at the D-II regional track and field meet in a time of 58.3 seconds at Dayton Welcome Stadium on Saturday, May 31.

The top four individuals

in each event qualified for the D-II state track meet, which will be held next weekend at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.

D-II field events will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 6, with running preliminaries beginning at 1:30 p.m. The running finals will be held

at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

Last season, Stafford was hospitalized for three days with complications from kidney stones and missed the entire track season.

This year, Stafford missed the first two weeks of the season with an injury and was also forced to miss time with strep throat.

"My endurance wasn't all the way back up, so we decided to go with the 400 instead of the 800," Stafford said. "We stuck with the 400 and worked on speed a lot."

After running the 800 and 1,600 earlier in her career, Stafford, also a state-caliber cross country runner, found herself running in the 400 and 800 relays, and even the 200 run.

The decision paid off in the form of a regional title.

"Mentally, the 400 is a tough race," Stafford said. "You just have to go with your gut."

Now, she's back in Columbus for a chance at another state title.

"It would be nice," Stafford said, "but I'm just hoping to get back on the podium."

Contact this reporter at (937)

328-036

5

or

mcooper

@coxohio.com.

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