They're Back!
We've covered these two ladies, acknowledging their absences and their returns.
This time, their returns will be at the state meet in Austin, Texas.
Both Bailey Lear and Whitney Williams exited the 2016 UIL 5A state meet not knowing that would be their last UIL varsity track and field meet for over a full year.
With medals hanging from their necks, both ladies had to be look forward to a rematch at the 2017 state meet.
That rematch never happened.
Whitney Williams and Bailey Lear dive for the finish line for a 1-2 finish at the 2016 UIL 5A state meet
The 2017 UIL state meet would go without both the defending 400m champion and the two time runner-up.
Related: Whitney Williams Returns From Knee Surgery And A Missed Season For 2018 Comeback
Williams was a freshman for Frisco when she charged down the track at Mike A. Myers stadium home stretch to narrowly nip sophomore Lear who at the time ran for McKinney.
The next year would see Williams miss the season due to an ACL and meniscus tear suffered during basketball season and Lear would be forced to run JV and sit out the varsity season as a penalty for transferring to Frisco Heritage.
This weekend, Williams ran a 55.02 to place second in the Region 2-5A finals to take second place ensuring herself a return to the place she made her name.
Lear's sit out year wasn't physical, but she was forced to train and wait for the end of the UIL season for some meaningful competition.
Prior to this indoor season, Lear shared how excited she was to get back to track action and that winning at state meet was one of her goals.
She also said, "I Plan To Break Some Records And Make A Statement This Year." Lear has done exactly that this season taking down almost every record on her path back to the state meet including the Region 2-5A record. Lear's winning time of 53.35 eclipsed the old mark set in 2012 by Courtney Okolo who also holds the next record on Lear's path and that's the 52.40 UIL state meet record.
Lear also took second place in the 200m at the regional meet with at 23.86, so she will be running two individual events and a relay in her return to state.
We may not know how things will happen at the state meet in a few weeks, but we all know what these two ladies have been through the last couple of years.
They're back. It's not 2017, but they will be back in town -- Austin on May 11,2018 for another run at a state championship.