Porchia wins heptathlon, sets school record

— By PATRIC FLANNIGAN

Sports editor

Camden Fairview graduate Tai’Sheka Porchia literally ran her way into her high school’s record books during the 2019 heptathlon.

Porchia finished first place with a score of 4,463 points - the highest in Camden Fairview Girls heptathlon history. Second place is LaToya Scott with 4,381 (2004) and Lyntoria Williams with 4,333 (2006).

“I would say it is in my top two greatest track performances I’ve ever seen in person,” C.F. Heptathlon Coach Jacob Wiedmair said. “Truly amazing how she out did her personal best in 4 of the 7 events. I’m just lucky I had a front row seat to it.”

It wasn’t easy for Porchia by any means who was winded after coming from behind in the 800 meter run to pick up the necessary points for the win. El Dorado’s Breya Clark led by three points after the first day so Porchia knew she would have her work cut out for her.

Porchia didn’t have the best time in her heat, but it was enough. Her time of 2:35.11 was good enough for 630 points, while Clark struggled with the distance and finished in 2:51.55 for 448 points.

Porchia, who hadn’t run the 800 since last year’s heptathlon in Cabot, didn’t wait long to reveal her strategy. She pulled away from the pack after the first 150 meters and held the lead until Bryant’s Megan Lee passed her just before the finish line.

“I did that because my coach was yelling at me to go,” Porchia told Arkansas Democrat Gazette reporters. “So I had to speed up. After that, I was just hurting. I do a whole bunch of events, but I never do the 800 during the regular season. I just do the 200 and the hurdles.”

The heptathlon was the culmination of what has been a stellar year for Porchia. Porchia made the Arkansas All State Basketball team and the All Star Basketball game this year. She also won the 5A state title in the 200 and 300M Hurdles in April.

Porchia is signed to continue her basketball career at Angelino College in Texas.

Porchia made the trip with fellow teammate Alijah Evans. Evans was only able to do two of the seven events due to a hamstring injury but played a big role in Porchia preparation for the event. Evans - who is an accomplished student athlete and track medalist, helped Porchia with her timing on her steps in the Long Jump and High Jump.

“She was my unofficial jump coach the two days and it may have sparked her to get into coaching later down the line,” Wiedmair said regarding Evans.

Wiedmair, Chris Coker and Rachel Dover all helped coach Porchia for the heptathlon. Wiedmair also shared an amusing story of how Porchia got ready for the Shot Put.

“Tai had issues with a low release on the shot put,” Wiedmair said. “So while she’s warming up, I stand at 27 foot and tell her to throw it over me. She does and I walk away and hear her cracking up. She never laughs that much. I go up to her and ask her whats so funny and she says the other coaches were calling me crazy for letting her throw a shot put over me.”

The strategy worked as Porchia would eventually throw 35-01/2 in the shot put.

(Heptathlon records provided by Gordon Maroney.)

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