Dotson easily ran away from the field in a time of 5:20.99 and beat second place Sara Hayes of Gainesville, who was considered a threat to win the race, by nearly nine seconds on a wet track. Victoria Rogers of North Hall was third and Ryan Sharry of West Hall took fourth and all advanced to the sectionals later this month.
Now, Dotson, who won the region title in the event for a second consecutive year, is looking to make up five seconds as she heads to the state meets.
"(Wednesday) was not my best time but I felt good out there. I wanted to come out quick and get the lead and I did that," Dotson said. "The girl from Westover (Erica Taylor) has run I think a 5:15 so I'm going to try and see if I can improve my time. I'm working on my sprinting drills to get faster. I think I can make up the time with some good workouts. We'll see how it goes."
Dotson finished eighth at last year's state meet in Albany and is looking for loftier results this season.
"I feel like I can finish in the top two or three but I'm looking to win (the state title)," she said. "I'll be happy no matter what happens but I would love to win it in my final year."
Dotson, working from the inside starting position, sprinted out to a quick lead on the start and never trailed. She had a five-stride lead at the mid-way point of the first lap and led by a quarter of a lap heading into the final lap.
Hayes was able to hold off Rogers and Sharry in final 50 meters to take second.
After the only day's final, White County has the team lead with 13 points. Gainesville is second with eight, West Hall third with seven, North Hall fourth with six, Chestatee fifth with four, and Walnut Grove is sixth with one point.
Jessie Dotson won the Region 8-AAA girls 1600-meter run with a 5:20.99 time Wednesday at Lanier High School.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2012/4/247692