CHARLESTON — Senior Ruthie Welch set a personal record in the 800-meter today to finish ninth at the IHSA Class A state finals and bring home a medal.

Welch turned in a time of 2 minutes, 20.10 seconds, which beat her previous best — 2:20.49, set at Monday's News-Gazette Honor Roll Meet — by almost four-tenths of a second.

More importantly from the standpoint of today's race, Welch cut off enough time from her 11th-place prelim result of 2:21.81 to move up to the final medal-winning slot.

Welch completed the race just three-tenths of a second shy of matching Amy Parker's school record of 2:19.8, set in 1992. The race was held at Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Stadium.

The Dartmouth-bound senior became the first Uni girl to win a state track medal in any event — individual or relay — since 1995, when Cindy Wang placed fifth in the 100 dash and sixth in the 200.

Stephanie Brown, a junior from Tri-Valley, won today's race with a Class A record-breaking performance of 2:10.96. Erika Ramos of Hoopeston Area, whom Welch defeated for the sectional title last week, placed seventh in 2:18.75.

Here are the complete results from today's 800 finals, as reported by the IHSA:

• Class A 800-Meter Run Finals
  1. Stephanie Brown (jr), Downs (Tri-Valley), 2:10.96 *Class A state record*
  2. Regina George (jr), Chicago (St. Gregory), 2:12.23
  3. Leeann Michl (jr), Newton, 2:15.78
  4. Kelly Curran (so), Bloomington (Central Catholic), 2:17.37
  5. Amanda Trancoso (jr), Sterling (Newman Central Catholic), 2:17.79
  6. Jodi Hoekstra (sr), Palos Heights (Chicago Christian), 2:18.39
  7. Erika Ramos (jr), Hoopeston (H. Area), 2:18.75
  8. Kara Howell (jr), Port Byron (Riverdale), 2:19.89
  9. Ruthie Welch (sr), Urbana (University), 2:20.10
  10. Aftan Noon (sr), Warrensburg (W.-Latham) (Coop), 2:21.89
  11. Lauren Adcock (so), Moweaqua (Central A & M), 2:23.16
  xx — Shelbie Pettie (jr), Sherrard, DNS
• Note: The top nine finishers won medals.

Welch was the only Uni girl to advance to the state meet. This was her third appearance at O'Brien Stadium. The past two years she was a member of state-qualifying 4x800 relay teams.

Last year's squad of Lizzy Warner, Aria Collopy, Shivani Khanna, and Welch did not get past the Friday prelims, but the 2006 team of Welch, Laura Hazlett, Khanna, and Josie Chambers placed 12th in the Saturday finals.