Running in this year’s Iredell County track and field championships was a year in the making for South Iredell junior Carly Couch.

After injuring her knee four days before last year’s county meet, one of her favorite meets of the season, Couch made up for lost time Tuesday.

She won the 800-meter run and joined Shikela Bellamy, Megan Parker and Courtney Saddler in qualifying for the Midwest 2A Regionals in the 4x100-meter relay after a season-best time of 53.09 seconds.

“I got hurt last year on April 13 and the county meet this year (was) April 15,” Couch said. “So I’ve waited a whole year for this.”

Couch’s best moment may have come in the 4x400-meter relay.

The team’s anchor, Couch got the baton approximately six seconds after Lake Norman started its final lap in the three-team race.

But she took off quickly, motored her way around the track to catch Lake Norman’s runner on the final stretch and somehow summoned the strength to win the sprint to the finish.

“Being a sprinter really helps me out at the end,” Couch said.