Knights track runners (l-r) Amilia Condon, Kate Carlson, Lauren Youngblut, and Brynn Albertsen smile after breaking Union High School’s girls 4x800 meter relay record during the Hudson Relays on April 15. The quartet – who had never competed together before in the race – broke the record previously set in 2003 by a full nine seconds. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

HUDSON – Union High School’s 21-year-old girls 4×800 meter relay record was toppled on Monday, April 15, by a full nine seconds following a standout track performance at the Hudson Relays by Knights distance runners Brynn Albertsen, Lauren Youngblut, Kate Carlson, and Amilia Condon.

And if that wasn’t enough, the talented quartet made it happen after having never run the race together before in competition.

“The lineup we had for the 4×800 changed a bit when Lily Lorenzen went down with a quad injury. It could have happened if Lily was healthy as well. Fortunately, we have a lot of mid-distance runners that can step in and do well when called upon,” Union head girls track coach Justin Parson told the Telegraph in an email following the record’s fall.

Union’s previous record was set in 2003 by Heather White, Jenna Meier, Jo Rausch, and Jill Wagaman with a time of 10:09.57.

At Hudson, Union’s girls broke the record by clocking in at 10:00.83 – just behind Grundy Center’s team which finished in 9:54.56.

Parson said a few factors contributed to the record’s annihilation.

“The weather and the mix of girls gave us a great opportunity to do it that night. So, in a way, we felt the record would fall, but we didn’t know when, where, or with who.

“As far as the race went, Grundy Center was phenomenal at that race, and we battled them for the top spot for the whole race.”

At this point in the season, Coach Parson said he is unsure yet which four will run the event at Districts – an event that requires a good deal of mental endurance coupled with mid-distance talent.

“I think the 4×800 is a mentally tough race and you need to make sure you have the correct order to keep kids’ frame of mind right in their leg of the race.”

“Overall, I was super proud of those girls.”

During the highly competitive Hudson Relays, Union girls also took runner-up in both the 4×400 and shuttle hurdle relay races.

Jailyn Petersen was the medalist in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 15:92, while Amilia Condon – who anchored the record-breaking 4×800 – was runner-up in the 3,000 meter run with a finish of 11:58.96.