Parker sisters never far apart on the track

NEENAH - It’s not hard to find Alison Parker and Jessica Parker when they are running on the track; just look at the lead of the race and you’re sure to see both of them.

Monday, at the Division 1 Neenah regional track and field meet the Parker sisters performed as advertised, placing first and second, respectively, in the 1,600- and 800-meter runs. They helped Neenah to a second-place finish in the meet with 167 points, just four behind winner Kimberly, which had 171 points.

The 1,600 was the best race of the two as they tied with a time of 5 minutes, 8.52 seconds. About 50 meters away from the finish line it appeared Alison would hold off Jessica, but Jessica had a kick at the end to tie her sister.

“She came out of nowhere,” said Alison, a junior. “I didn’t know she was coming.”

“I wasn’t really thinking about it,” Jessica said in regards to winning the race. “At the end I thought I could do it, so I went for it.”

The Parker sisters, who also have a third sister (Jennifer, Jessica’s twin) appear on track to reach the state track meet, which is June 1-2 at La Crosse.

“I feel better (than last year) and I think the times are showing,” said Jessica, a sophomore. “I’ve been doing better than last year.”

“We feel stronger,” Alison said. “We got a lot of training in the off-season and I think that’s been helping a lot.”

While the 1,600 was as tight as it can get, Alison managed to hold off Jessica in the 800, an event Alison is the defending state champion in.  Alison's time  was 2:18.98, while Jessica’s time was 2:20.09.

Every time the Parkers race they are right by each other’s side, kind of like they can’t live without each other; it’s just that little separates the two.

When asked who wins more of their races, Alison said, “It’s basically 50 percent. We’re on and off. If the other one doesn’t win, we’re basically next to each other.

“It’s awesome having each other there; just knowing your teammate’s with you, helping you the whole way. It’s very helpful.”

While the Parkers were the class of their races Monday, winning wasn’t necessary Monday to advance to the sectional meet at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh on Thursday.

The top four finishers in each event advance to sectionals and Alison said qualifying was the first goal. But when you win a state title, winning a race eventually becomes the focus.

“The main goal is to qualify for the next round,” Alison said. “It’s always nice winning and getting the extra confidence into sectionals.”

While the Parkers look forward to sectionals, they also are looking forward to state. Assuming they continue their pace of performance the Parkers are looking to repeat last year’s state meet success, where in addition to Alison's state title, all three Parker sisters teamed up to win the 3,200 relay.

Said Alison: “We’re in the 3,200 relay and we’re looking to be state champions in that again; and then just do the best we can in our individual events.”

—In the boys meet, Kimberly lapped the field and then some, scoring 218 points, while Fond du Lac was second with 97.

• For complete results of the Neenah regional track meet, click this link: http://www.wiaawi.org/results/track/2012/neenahregional.htm
• For results of other regionals, click this link: http://www.wiaawi.org/index.php?id=744

Follow Doug Ritchay on Twitter @dougritchay

doug.ritchay@wluk.com