BENTONVILLE — One thing has been consistent about Logan Morton during her two-plus years with Bentonville's girls track team, and that has been her heavy workload.
It's become commonplace to see the senior bounce around the six usual events she does during a meet. When she isn't at either the long jump or the triple jump, she can be found preparing for one of the two hurdles races or with her teammates as they ready themselves for a relay event.
PROFILE
Logan Morton
School: Bentonville
Class: Senior
Height: 5-4
Notable: A constant six-event performer in many track meets, including last year's Class 7A state meet. … Was part of Bentonville's winning 4x100-meter relay teams the past two years and teamed with Jody Knight, Alexis Rolle and Taylor Mahone to set a state record in that event during the Meet of Champs. … Finished third in the girls high school heptathlon with 4,100 points. … Has received a scholarship offer to run track at Central Arkansas and plans to sign her national letter of intent next month.
She was at it again Thursday during the Tiger Relays. She won the 300 hurdles, helped the Lady Tigers win the 4x100 relay and finished second or third in three other events -- and Morton wouldn't have it any other way.
"I'm pretty used to it," she said. "I've been doing six events since I was in the eighth grade, and I like it. Sometimes, it's very tiring, but I have to make sure I get my rest, stay hydrated the day before a meet and warm up good for each event."
Not only has Morton been resilient, but she's also been a successful part of the Lady Tigers' back-to-back state title runs. As a sophomore, she helped Bentonville win the 4x100-meter relay, then finished second in the 300 hurdles and third in the 100 hurdles.
She also did the full six events despite the lousy weather conditions during the Class 7A state meet and was part of the Lady Tigers' winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. She then went on with teammates Jody Knight, Alexis Rolle and Taylor Mahone to set the state record in the 4x100 relay during the Meet Of Champs with their time of 47.09 seconds and became All-Americans at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.
"She has a little diversity about her," Bentonville girls track coach Randy Ramaker said. "She can sprint, she can hurdle and she can jump. When you have a kid that can do that, there are a lot of opportunities.
"She wants six events each meet. Certain meets, we can allow that to happen, and Thursday night was one of them. She's a competitive girl, and she loves track, obviously. She wants to do as many things as she can."
She calls the 300 hurdles her "ultimate event," and it's the one she gives the most attention because of the endurance needed to run the event. It's also the event where she has had a number of encounters with fellow senior Payton Stumbaugh of Springdale Har-Ber, and Ramaker said it's very interesting with the two go against each other..
Those make up arguably one of Northwest Arkansas' best one-on-one rivalries since they started in high school track, whether its in the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles or the long jump. It's the kind of competition Morton loves to see because Stumbaugh has the advantage in head-to-head meetings, but Morton has won the event during the last two 7A/6A-West Conference meets.
"I just feel like she's great competition," Morton said of Stumbaugh. "I like running against her because she's always going to be some to run with. We're always neck and neck."
Ramaker said he will change up some things with Morton once spring break ends and the track season resumes. Her workload will be lighter as he prepares the Lady Tigers for another run at conference and state titles.
"She won't be doing six events for a while," Ramaker said. "We'll slow down and concentrate on a few things and do those things well. We'll build her back up for the conference meet, where I'm sure she'll be back doing six events again."
Sports on 03/24/2014