Taylor Werner talks about her first big track meet since earning two All-American honors in the fall cross country season. Werner posted impressive performances at the 2014 Festus Early Bird Track and Field Invitational, Saturday, March 29. The Ste. Genevieve sophomore anchored the two-time defending Missouri Class 3 cross country champs Lady Hunters to a runner-up finish in the 4x1600 meters Friday night, finishing in 21:35, behind two-time defending Class 4 state cross country champs, Francis Howell and their 21:22. Saturday, Werner ran to a runner-up finish in the 1600 meters. In what was most likely the best regular season 1600 race in Missouri girls history, Werner finished in 4:54, putting her 12th on the national performance list for the outdoor season. Werner took to the track again late Saturday afternoon in the 800 meters where she placed 3rd in 2:18. Werner said the only real issue she struggled with since her amazing fall season, was growing pains, literal growing pains. Werner burst on the state scene as an eight-grader and freshman where she shined as while short and thin in stature. Werner was noticeably taller and leaner Saturday, even since the fall and said she has had knee pain because of the growth spurt.