Path to Nevada state track meet begins Saturday

The track postseason schedule starts today, as the area’s top athletes converge at Carson and Fallon high schools to take the first step toward qualifying for this year’s NIAA State Championships at Foothill High in Las Vegas.

High Desert and Sierra League athletes will have separate qualifying meets, both at Carson High School. Action gets underway at 8:30 a.m. The 1A, 2A and 3A meets are at Fallon.

In lane races, the top two finishers in each heat plus the next five best finishers regardless of league will move on. In distance races, it’s the top two finishers from each league and the next eight finishers regardless of league. In field events, it’s the top two from each league and the next five best marks regardless of league.

On the boys side, high jumper Greg Wallace has cleared 6-3 this year and should move on.

“He had four wisdom teeth pulled recently,” assistant coach Julie Reid said. “Since the second day he came back, he’s been jumping really well.”

Hurdler Harry Meyer is also looking to move on in the 100 hurdles (7th, 16.20) and 300 hurdles (6th, 43.04).

“Harry has great form,” Reid said. “The 110 field is pretty tough. In the 300, it depends on who shows up.”

Dylan Mayo is the top-ranked triple jumper, but he’s been battling injuries and his status isn’t known. He’s also No. 4 in the Sierra side in the long jump.

Brandon Basa is ranked seventh in the 400, Gabe Gabica is 10th in the pole vault (12-0), Adam Maw is 10th overall in the triple jump. All three will have to have good days to move on.

Carson doesn’t have a distance runner (800 through 3200) ranked in the top 10 in the north.

On the girls side, Abigail Pradere is ranked No. 1 overall in the 800 and No. 3 in the 1600. She should make the finals in both events.

Ashley Britt is fifth overall in the 300 hurdles, and she should qualify to next weekend. Anya Woodbury is third overall in the triple jump and ninth in the long jump.

Dajarrah Navarro and Ku’ulei Haupu are tied for sixth overall in the high jump with a best of 4-10. That should be enough on Satrday, but it will take at least a 5-foot jump to make state.

Carson’s best relay shots are in the 3200 and 400.

3A track teams head to Fallon

FALLON — J.J. Ply, one of the top athletes in the state, heads the Dayton contingent into today’s meet.

Ply is entered in both hurdle events, high jump and pole vault, and he should move on to the regional meet at Carson High next Saturday.

Ply has cleared 6-10 twice in the high jump and he’s also one of the best hurdlers in Northern Nevada, ranking first in the 110 high hurdles and second in the 300 hurdles. He’s first in the high jump and tied for fifth in the pole vault. He should advance in all four events.

“He should move onto next week in everything,” coach Mike Paul said. “He looked good in the 300 hurdles. He is coming on in the pole vault.”

Paul expects Carson Crosby to move on in the 100, 200 and 400. Crosby also will run a leg in the 800 relay. The 400 is his best event, one he could reach state in.

“He is running really well,” Paul said. “I’ve been talking to him about techniques.”

Jeffrey Walker competes in the 300 hurdles (43.20, No. 6) and the pole vault where he PRd at 11 feet last week to grab the No. 5 ranking. He also has a season best of 17-6 in the long jump.

David Delfin is ranked fourth with a best of 138-6 in the discus and he’s at 38-6 3/4 in the shot. His best shot is in the discus.

Ashley Mason (long jump and triple jump), twin sister, Rebecca (400, HJ), and Kassie Strong are the best bets to advance in individual events on the girls side.

Ashley Mason is ranked second in the triple jump (35-2) and third in the long jump (16-8). Strong is ranked 7th in the discus at 103-10. Rebecca Mason is tied for fourth in the high jump at 5 feet and is unranked in the 400.

Sierra Lutheran looks strong in 1A

Jared and Elaina Marchegger lead Sierra Lutheran into today’s 1A meet, also scheduled for Fallon.

The 3200 and relays will not be contested today.

Elaina Marchegger is seeded No. 1 in the 800 (2:40.0 and third in the 1600 (5:54.79). She’s also first in the 3200 (12:44.04).

Jared Marchegger is the top seed in the 1600 (4:40.80) and the 3200 (9:55.65).

Ricky McNeely should move on in the 800 and 1600, and he’s a contender in the regional finals in the 3200.

Peyton Hedwall is the top entrant in the shot (42-2 1/2) and the discus (117-0). Blake Ranella is ranked first in the pole vault (11-0), first in the triple jump (40-4) and second in the long jump (19-4).

Aleyna Gibson is ranked second in the 100 (13.20), second in the 200 (27.38) and first in the 400 (61.42). Rachel Hall is ranked first in the 100 hurdles (16.89) and third in the 300 hurdles (54.36). Taylor Davison is seeded first in the 1600 (5:49.50).