2017 Inductee 1984 Girls' 3200 Meter Relay Team
If they had not set a new state record, they would not have won their specialty, Bellevue Gazette Sports editor Joe Wolfe stated. They nipped Garrettsville Garfield by less than a second and lowered the state record by four seconds.
Coach Earl Miller summed it up like this, “I was a bit concerned with the heat, which was around 100 degrees on the stadium track. I was surprised their time was that fast in this heat. A lot of times you hope to get to state; then you hope to place at state; then you hope to get first place. We were lucky enough to have all three.”
This foursome became the first female state champions in the history of Bellevue High School. Tara Chase, Kim Gillette, Karen Lepley, and Jami Verhoff were crowned state champions in the 3200 M relay in 1984. Held at the Ohio State University “Horseshoe,” they won the race with a time of 9:22.8. This time set a new state meet record that stood for six years. The record was finally broken in 1989.
At the district meet, the team ran a 9:50.1; at regional meet their time dropped to 9:38.8. Of course, at the state meet, the team ran to a new state meet record and state champions.
Bellevue was coached by Earl Miller and assisted by Carol DelCorso. The 1984 track team finished as Northern Ohio League and District runner-ups. At the regional meet at Lima Bath High school, the team was truly outstanding as they were crowned regional champions.
Members of the team qualified to state in five events including the 3200 M and 1600M relay, high jump and 400 M dash (Karen Lepley), 800M run (Jami Verhoff).
Coach Earl Miller summed it up like this, “I was a bit concerned with the heat, which was around 100 degrees on the stadium track. I was surprised their time was that fast in this heat. A lot of times you hope to get to state; then you hope to place at state; then you hope to get first place. We were lucky enough to have all three.”
This foursome became the first female state champions in the history of Bellevue High School. Tara Chase, Kim Gillette, Karen Lepley, and Jami Verhoff were crowned state champions in the 3200 M relay in 1984. Held at the Ohio State University “Horseshoe,” they won the race with a time of 9:22.8. This time set a new state meet record that stood for six years. The record was finally broken in 1989.
At the district meet, the team ran a 9:50.1; at regional meet their time dropped to 9:38.8. Of course, at the state meet, the team ran to a new state meet record and state champions.
Bellevue was coached by Earl Miller and assisted by Carol DelCorso. The 1984 track team finished as Northern Ohio League and District runner-ups. At the regional meet at Lima Bath High school, the team was truly outstanding as they were crowned regional champions.
Members of the team qualified to state in five events including the 3200 M and 1600M relay, high jump and 400 M dash (Karen Lepley), 800M run (Jami Verhoff).
Dennis Sabo introduces the 1984 State Championship Girls' 3200 Meter Relay Team.