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Ramstein anchor Eric Carter heads into the final lap of the boys 4x400-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Carter and teammates Johnny Pack, Everett Polcek and Gregory Desulme won the last race of the championships in 3 minutes, 25.31 seconds.

Ramstein anchor Eric Carter heads into the final lap of the boys 4x400-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Carter and teammates Johnny Pack, Everett Polcek and Gregory Desulme won the last race of the championships in 3 minutes, 25.31 seconds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein anchor Eric Carter heads into the final lap of the boys 4x400-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Carter and teammates Johnny Pack, Everett Polcek and Gregory Desulme won the last race of the championships in 3 minutes, 25.31 seconds.

Ramstein anchor Eric Carter heads into the final lap of the boys 4x400-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Carter and teammates Johnny Pack, Everett Polcek and Gregory Desulme won the last race of the championships in 3 minutes, 25.31 seconds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein anchor D'Myia Thorton, right, races Patch's Julia Lockridge to the finish line of the girls 4x400-meter relay. Thorton and teammates Khalina Polanco, Jewel Beji and Denee Lawrence won in 4 minutes, 12.26 seconds, .06 seconds ahead of Patch.

Ramstein anchor D'Myia Thorton, right, races Patch's Julia Lockridge to the finish line of the girls 4x400-meter relay. Thorton and teammates Khalina Polanco, Jewel Beji and Denee Lawrence won in 4 minutes, 12.26 seconds, .06 seconds ahead of Patch. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Wiesbaden's Alex Wieman won the 3200-meter run ahead of Kaiserslautern's Michael Close in 10 minutes, 1.33 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Wiesbaden's Alex Wieman won the 3200-meter run ahead of Kaiserslautern's Michael Close in 10 minutes, 1.33 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Wiesbaden's Kelsey Thomas runs the 800-meter leg of the 1600-meter sprint medley after taking the baton from 400-meter runner Dustin Morton. The pair, along with teammates, Keyshaun Green and CJ Pridgen won in 3 minutes, 41.43 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Wiesbaden's Kelsey Thomas runs the 800-meter leg of the 1600-meter sprint medley after taking the baton from 400-meter runner Dustin Morton. The pair, along with teammates, Keyshaun Green and CJ Pridgen won in 3 minutes, 41.43 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's Madison Morse runs the last leg of the 1600-meter sprint medley at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Morse and teammates Khalina Polanco, Brittany Highley and Xantavia Wain won in 4 minutes, 24.55 seconds.

Ramstein's Madison Morse runs the last leg of the 1600-meter sprint medley at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Morse and teammates Khalina Polanco, Brittany Highley and Xantavia Wain won in 4 minutes, 24.55 seconds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Cameron Copeland of Naples beats Ramstein's Gregory Desulme to the wire to win the boys 200-meter race at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Copeland won in 22.73 seconds, with Desulme 0.01 seconds behind.

Cameron Copeland of Naples beats Ramstein's Gregory Desulme to the wire to win the boys 200-meter race at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Copeland won in 22.73 seconds, with Desulme 0.01 seconds behind. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Bamberg's Katie Funcheon, right, won the 200-meter race in 25.74 seconds, beating out Ramstein's Denee Lawrence by .01 second at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Bamberg's Katie Funcheon, right, won the 200-meter race in 25.74 seconds, beating out Ramstein's Denee Lawrence by .01 second at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Madison Morse leads Kaiserslautern's Shanice Harmon going in to the last lap of the 800-meter event at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Morse won in 2 minutes, 18.71 seconds. Harmon finished sixth.

Madison Morse leads Kaiserslautern's Shanice Harmon going in to the last lap of the 800-meter event at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Morse won in 2 minutes, 18.71 seconds. Harmon finished sixth. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Black Forest Academy's Erin Fortune won the girls high jump event with a leap of 4 feet, 9 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Black Forest Academy's Erin Fortune won the girls high jump event with a leap of 4 feet, 9 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Kaiserslautern freshman Wesley Donhauser won the the discus event with a throw of 131 feet at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Kaiserslautern freshman Wesley Donhauser won the the discus event with a throw of 131 feet at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Vilseck's David Harris celebrates as he crosses the finish line in 40.31 seconds to win the 300-meter hurdles reach at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Vilseck's David Harris celebrates as he crosses the finish line in 40.31 seconds to win the 300-meter hurdles reach at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ansbach's Mykala Bazen pushes herself to the finish line on the way to setting a new DODDS-Europe record in 300-meter hurdles. She won in 44.71 seconds.

Ansbach's Mykala Bazen pushes herself to the finish line on the way to setting a new DODDS-Europe record in 300-meter hurdles. She won in 44.71 seconds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's Gregory Desulme, center, won the 400-meter race in 49.66 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. At left is Vilseck's Kayree Files, at right Ramstein's Johnny Pack.

Ramstein's Gregory Desulme, center, won the 400-meter race in 49.66 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. At left is Vilseck's Kayree Files, at right Ramstein's Johnny Pack. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's D'Myia Thorton won the 400-meter race in 58.95 seconds. At right is Ashley Forte who was injured while running neck-and-neck with Thorton.

Ramstein's D'Myia Thorton won the 400-meter race in 58.95 seconds. At right is Ashley Forte who was injured while running neck-and-neck with Thorton. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Wiesbaden's Andrew Murray, right, crosses the finish line ahead of Cameron Copeland of Naples in the 4x100-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Murray and teammates Daivon Poole, DeQuan Reed and Keyshaun Green won in 43.37 seconds.

Wiesbaden's Andrew Murray, right, crosses the finish line ahead of Cameron Copeland of Naples in the 4x100-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Murray and teammates Daivon Poole, DeQuan Reed and Keyshaun Green won in 43.37 seconds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Anchor Denee Lawrence of Ramstein sprints to the finish line in the girls 4x100-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. She and her teammates Brittany Highly, Samantha Carbon and Khalina Polanco won in 49.92 seconds.

Anchor Denee Lawrence of Ramstein sprints to the finish line in the girls 4x100-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. She and her teammates Brittany Highly, Samantha Carbon and Khalina Polanco won in 49.92 seconds. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ramstein's Madison Morse won the girls 1600-meter run in 5 minutes, 12.48 seconds, a new DODDS-Europe record. Behind her is Kaiserslautern's Shanice Harmon who finished second.

Ramstein's Madison Morse won the girls 1600-meter run in 5 minutes, 12.48 seconds, a new DODDS-Europe record. Behind her is Kaiserslautern's Shanice Harmon who finished second. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Cameron Copeland of Naples, left, won the 100-meter dash in 11.33 seconds ahead of Vicenza's Karl Bulgin, second from right and Kaiserslautern's David Zarczny, right. Ramstein's Gregory Desulme, center, was fourth and Johnny Pack, 2nd from left, was sixth.

Cameron Copeland of Naples, left, won the 100-meter dash in 11.33 seconds ahead of Vicenza's Karl Bulgin, second from right and Kaiserslautern's David Zarczny, right. Ramstein's Gregory Desulme, center, was fourth and Johnny Pack, 2nd from left, was sixth. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Bamberg's Katie Funcheon, center, won the 100-meter dash in 12.86 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. At left is Ramstein's D'Myia Thorton who finished second, at right is Wiesbaden's Marquala Scott, the fourth-place finisher.

Bamberg's Katie Funcheon, center, won the 100-meter dash in 12.86 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. At left is Ramstein's D'Myia Thorton who finished second, at right is Wiesbaden's Marquala Scott, the fourth-place finisher. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Vilseck's David Harris won the 110-meter hurdles race in 15.51 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Vilseck's David Harris won the 110-meter hurdles race in 15.51 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ansbach's Mykala Bazen clears the final hurdle on her way to winning the 100-meter event in 15.92 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Ansbach's Mykala Bazen clears the final hurdle on her way to winning the 100-meter event in 15.92 seconds at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Anchor Kelsey Thomas of Wiesbaden heads to the finish line in the boys 3200-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Thomas and teammates Dustin Morton, Alex Wieman and Ryan Parker won in 8 minutes, 19.26 seconds ahead of Kaiserslautern and Patch.

Anchor Kelsey Thomas of Wiesbaden heads to the finish line in the boys 3200-meter relay at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. Thomas and teammates Dustin Morton, Alex Wieman and Ryan Parker won in 8 minutes, 19.26 seconds ahead of Kaiserslautern and Patch. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Bamberg's Damonique Lamons won the shot put event with a toss of 38 feet, 4.75 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Bamberg's Damonique Lamons won the shot put event with a toss of 38 feet, 4.75 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Patch's Christopher Ferguson followed up yesterday's high jump title with a victory in the triple jump with a leap of 44 feet, 1.5 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Patch's Christopher Ferguson followed up yesterday's high jump title with a victory in the triple jump with a leap of 44 feet, 1.5 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Wiesbaden's Amelya Hempstead won the girls long jump event with a leap of 16 feet, 0.25 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014.

Wiesbaden's Amelya Hempstead won the girls long jump event with a leap of 16 feet, 0.25 inches at the DODDS-Europe track and field championships in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Saturday, May 24, 2014. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Mykala Bazen made her last high school race count.

At the DODDS Europe Track and Field Championships on Saturday, the Ansbach senior broke the DODDS European record in the 300-meter hurdles.

Bazen crossed the line in 44.71 seconds, topping the 44.80 set by Ansbach alum Tiffany Heard in 2010 and dusting the rest of the field by nearly four seconds.

Bazen, who plans to run track at the University of Florida next year, said she had been chasing the record all year. "It was my last race in high school. I really wanted to do it," she said.

Bazen also nabbed gold in the 100-meter hurdles and ran 400 legs Saturday as part of two different relay teams, an exceptional effort that earned her the nod as the meet's most valuable female athlete in running events.

The second day of track and field competition saw not one but two European records fall, the other courtesy of Ramstein junior Madison Morse in the 1,600.

A slew of new champions were also crowned, several by freshmen. And a handful of thrilling races were determined by a lean at the finish line, keeping the crowd at Kaiserslautern High School stadium on its feet throughout most of the afternoon.

Among the races decided by a hair – or in this case .01 seconds – were the boys' 100- and 200-meter dashes. Naples' junior Cameron Copeland took the gold in both. In the shorter sprint, he beat Vicenza's Karl Bulgin.

"He would have won if he had leaned," Copeland said of Bulgin.

The gold in both races was up for grabs with defending champion Anthony Little of Wiesbaden not in the picture. Little was back in the States attending to family issues, his teammates said. But his absence didn't stop the Warriors from sprinting to win the 400-meter relay and defending their 2013 title.

Anchor Andrew Murray had the formidable task of racing the speedy Copeland through the last 100 meters. "The only thing I told them was, if you give me the lead, I will not lose it," Murray said he told his teammates, Daivon Poole, DeQuan Reed and Keyshaun Green.

Reed handed the baton to Murray in first. He flashed a pained smile as he crossed the finish, having fended off a fast-closing Copeland.

The girls' 1,600-meter run wasn't nearly as close – at least at the end. For nearly three laps, Kaiserslautern's Shanice Harmon tailed Morse, the defending champion.

At the bell lap, Morse pulled away and charged hard to the finish, clocking 5:12.48 to break the record of 5:13.08, set by Ramstein alum Jessica Kafer in 2012.

"It was hard but I just wanted to get out there," she said. "Shanice pushed me."

Morse was among a number of the meet's workhorses running in multiple events. Later in the day, she gutted out a win in the 800, holding off a late challenge in the final 200 meters by Patch's Julia Lockridge to win by less than two seconds in 2:18.71.

With little rest, Morse churned out another 800 meters as anchor of Ramstein's winning 1,600-meter sprint medley team.

Other multiple individual winners on the track included Vilseck's David Harris in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles – victories that helped clinch MVP honors for the senior in the running events.

After getting fifth in both events last year, Harris approached track practice this season with a laser focus. "This year I worked twice as hard, if not three times as hard," he said. "I've been working for first place."

In the sprints, Bamberg junior Katie Funcheon rocketed to firsts in the 100 and 200. In the latter, she edged Ramstein sophomore Denee Lawrence by .01 seconds, a finish so close that neither Funcheon nor Lawrence were sure who had won.

Funcheon's two golds, along with two golds in the shot put and discus by fellow junior Damonique Lamons – the girls' MVP in field events - and a silver in the shot put by freshman Mckenzie Milligan helped boost Bamberg to the team title in Division III.

The Barons, in their school's last year, brought only three athletes to the championships. Only about 19 students remain at the school, with many having already moved, said track coach John Cogswell.

"I think it's a great way to go out with a bang," he said of the team title.

Also going out with a bang was Wiesbaden senior Alex Wieman. After finishing fourth last year in the 3,200, Wieman, who plans to run next year at the U.S. Naval Academy, ran a personal record of 10:01.33 to get his first individual gold at the European track finals.

"It feels really nice," he said. Wieman was also part of the Warriors' winning 3,200-meter relay team, along with Dustin Morton, Ryan Parker, and Kelsey Thomas.

Ramstein fielded a number of strong relay teams, as well, winning the girls' 400-meter and 1,600 meter and the boys' 1,600-meter races.

After winning the high jump Friday, Patch junior Christopher Ferguson added another title in the triple jump on Saturday, landing a mark of 44 feet, 1.5 inches to beat Ramstein's Jamael Kingsberry. Kingsberry was named the MVP for boys in the field events.

Two freshmen won titles: Kaiserslautern's Wesley Donhauser in the discus and Black Forest Academy's Erin Fortune in the high jump.

svan.jennifer@stripes.com

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