HOOKSTOWN - Lacey Cochran already had separated herself from the vast majority of her competitors on the high school track scene.

But on Tuesday, she earned a spot on an even shorter list.

The Freeport senior won the 400-meter run with a time of 58.3 seconds at the WPIAL Class AA Track and Field Championships at South Side Beaver High School, making her a four-time district champ in the event.

Simply put, Cochran won the event three years ago as a freshman and has never let go of her crown.

"When I came here as a freshman, I didn't really know what was going on or what this meet was all about," said Cochran. "I was just running that day."

Freeport coach Bill Dillen helped Cochran realize the scope of what she could accomplish as the WPIAL championships drew near.

"He kept saying it was history because not many people have been able to (win four titles in the same event)," said Cochran. "It's pretty exciting to be able to do it."

"To put it into perspective, I've been coming here since 1978," said Dillen. "The only other girl I know who won four straight titles in the same event was Farrell's Jennifer Simms, who also did it in the 400.

"It's pretty incredible what Lacey has accomplished."

Just for good measure, Cochran added a WPIAL gold medal in the 200 as well Tuesday in 26.3, successfully defending her title in that event.

Add it all up and Cochran has won six individual district titles in her four years, as well as a share of the WPIAL 1,600 relay crown her freshman season.

The Freeport boys 3,200 relay quartet of Ian Kaminski, Mike DeLibero, Brendan Reilly and Shane Sarver started the day off by winning a WPIAL title of their own with a finish of 8:18.11.

Kaminski, Reilly and Sarver were part of the Yellowjackets squad that finished ninth in the event last season.

"Our goal was not just to make states," said Kaminski. "We wanted to win and we worked our butts off to do it.

"Our conditioning coach (Bill Reilly) has been doing a great job with us," added Kaminski. "And we knew that if we broke 8:20, we'd have a good shot."

"It was just a question of the kids being a year older and more mature," said Dillen. "All four of the kids ran well and that's what we wanted, to have it even-keeled."

Kaminski set the tone for the race with a strong performance in the first leg.

"We wanted Ian in that first spot because he can really go after people," said Dillen. "And we knew Shane could finish it for us. Plus, our two middle guys did very well."

Sarver also will head to the state meet in both the 1,600 and 3,200 runs after taking a pair of third-place finishes.

Senior Kiel Conjack was third in the 300 hurdles and sophomore Bryan Zimmerman took fifth in the javelin throw. Both boys will compete at the state event.

In girls competition, Melanie Lutz (fourth in 1,600 run), Marisa DeSalvo (third in shot put) and Kerrie Clark (fourth in long jump) all will represent Freeport at states.

The Yellowjackets also advanced their girls 3,200 and 1,600 relay teams with a fourth- and third-place finish, respectively.