Considering it’s his senior year, he made the decision to hit the track again and juggle both sports and it’s paying off for him.
After clinching a spot in the Class AA Region 3 baseball championship series earlier this week, Crislip capped his week with a long jump of 20-09.75, claiming the Class AA state championship at the state track meet Saturday at Laidley Field in Charleston.
“It feels really good,” Crislip said. “I could’ve practiced harder and put in more work than I did but with baseball it’s hard to make all the practices and all the meets. I’m just glad to be here and glad I made it.”
Juggling both sports has been difficult for Crislip but he’s made the most of it. In addition to winning a state championship Saturday, he’s second on the baseball team with two home runs and third in RBI with 19.
He worried about competing in both but for as long as he’s competed in track he didn’t want to graduate with any regrets.
“I’ve been doing it since I was in middle school but I didn’t do it last year and I was like, ‘I’m going to do it this year.'” Crislip said. “I knew it’ll probably be the last time I ever do it.
“I wanted to focus on baseball,” Crislip continued. “I knew it was going to be my senior year so I was like I better do everything I can before it’s all over.”
Crislip didn’t imagine he’d end up where he’d end his senior season as he did, but he’ll take it all the same.
“I figured I’d make it,” Crislip said. “But I didn’t think I’d win it. I’m glad I won though.”
