Led by one of Elyria’s most renown athletes — Tianna Madison — now known in Track Circles as Tianna Bartoletta — the Pioneer Women’s track team took runner-up honors in the state in the spring of 2002 and came back to win the state title a year later. Bartoletta will certainly earn her spot in the Hall of Fame individually once her renown professional career is complete. In 2002 and 2003, Tianna Madison (below) broke ground for the Pioneers at the state meets in Columbus.  Under the direction of head coach Jackie Below, Elyria finished second to Beaumont in 2002. Elyria scored 45 points, nine less than Beaumont but in 2003, the Pioneers weren’t denied. Elyria scored 41 points to beat out Canton McKinley by 12 points to win the state title. In 2003, Madison won the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.72 and Maria Whitely came in eighth at 12.46 to earn Elyria 11 points.  Elyria also won the 4 X 100 meter relay led by Madison, Whitely, Heather Davis and Christina Madison. Madison also won the 200 meter with a time of 22.02 and the long jump with a 20-foot, 5.75 inch leap. In 2002, Elyria won the 400M relay and finished 8th in the 800M. Whitely, Marita Below, Heather Davis and Madison ran the 400M while Whitely, Below, Heather Davis and Mystal Jackson ran the 800M relay. In addition, Marielle Brinda was 5th in the Pole Vault.