Abbott’s on second; CHS girls relay sets school mark

LAS VEGAS — It wasn’t her best-ever effort, but Douglas High’s Olivia Abbott didn’t care.

Abbott pulled off a 37-foot effort on her sixth and final jump to place second in the triple jump at the NIAA State Track & Field championships at Del Sol High School Friday afternoon.

“It was two inches less than I jumped at the regional trials,” Abbott said. “The runway was harder than we’re used, but that’s no excuse. I’m pleased with the way I jumped.”

Abbott had two other good jumps, a 36-7 1/2 and a 36-1.

Abbott’s effort was enough to turn the tables on an injured Maddie Preston of Carson, who grabbed third with a jump of 34-11 1/2.

Preston strained her right hamstring at last week’s regional, and it was evident that she was nowhere near 100 percent. She had just two jumps above 34 feet, far off her normal performances.

“It hurt pretty bad,” said Preston, who was the favorite entering the event. “It didn’t hurt the first jump, but after that it did.”

Preston has the high jump and long jump today. The one advantage she has in today’s event is she gets to take off on her left leg. She has an opportunity to win the long jump and get a second in the high jump.

“I was concerned about Maddie,” CHS coach Robert Maw said. “To be hurt like that and jump well enough to get third place. I’m proud of her.”

The Senators’ 400 relay team of Sahara Winder, Hailey Palotas, Athena Favero and ValerieSue Meyer set a school record with a 49.43 en route to a fourth-place finish.

“It was great to break the school record,” Meyer said. “I saw Hailey come out of the blocks, and I knew this was going to be good. Sahara was able to make up one spot which is good.”

Favero also grabbed a medal when she finished in third place in 45.73, a new PR. Favero has been on a PR tear of late. Her previous best was 46.21.

“It was great,” she said. “The last 100 is the worst part of my race. Finishing in the top three was great.”

Winder PRd in the 100 at 12.68, but finished last in what was a quick race. She felt she could have done better, but was happy about the PR.

Douglas’ 1600 relay team was fifth in 4:03.53, and maybe the surprise of the night was standout Lindsey Adams was a disappointing seventh in the 800 (2:23.33).

D 1A: Turner grabs second

Kaylee Turner fully expected to improve on last year’s second-place finish, but managed a 35-10 and placed second.

Turner had two throws in the 35s, 35-10 1/2 and 35-5. She also had a 34-8 3/4.

“She couldn’t get the elevation,” Paul said. “She couldn’t get around enough. This has been a problem the last couple of weeks. I don’t know where it came from. She was great getting across the ring.”

D4: Marchegger wins twice

Elaina Marchegger won the 3200 (12:41.51) and the 800 (2:34.34) to lead the Sierra Lutheran girls on Friday. The quartet of Rebekah Churchill, Rachel Hall, Abby Ferenz and Torreyana Sanguinetti won the 1600 relay in 4:32.54. The girls 400 relay was third in 56.97.

Cali Benton was third in the shot at 30-7 and third in the triple jump at 30-4.