Girls state track: Carson High’s Pradere wins again

Abigail Pradere completed Redemption Week with another impressive performance.

Pradere, who was not at 100 percent at last year’s NIAA State Track & Field Championships, made up for it with two impressive victories this year.

After a win in the 1600 on Friday night, she outlasted a talented field on Saturday to win the 800 in a season-best time of 2:13.47.

Centennial’s Alex Gourrier was 2.04 seconds back at 2:15.51 with Sarriah Brown, who had the best qualifying mark out of the south, was third in 2:17.36. Reno’s Mikayla Shults was a surprise fourth at 2:18.03.

“I ran well last year; ran to the best of my ability and that’s all I can do,” Pradere said. “My body didn’t cooperate.”

Pradere beat her previous best set during her freshman year at Mt. Sac by .21 seconds. She set new records in the 800, 1500 and 1600, according to the CHS coaching staff.

“I wanted to have even splits,” Pradere said. “I didn’t hear her (Gourrier) coming. I think she was going inside.”

Pradere has shown outstanding staying power. She has shown the ability to fend off challenges throughout the postseason from the best runners in the Silver State.

3A: Dramatic victory for Mason

Ashley Mason showed her flair for the dramatic by winning the state triple jump title and setting a school record on her final jump of Saturday’s competition.

After a couple of jumps in the low 34 feet range and two fouls, Mason finally hit her mark to win with a mark of 36-4. The previous school record was 36-1 set in 2009 by Tegan Volberding. Mason broke Olberding’s long jump record with a mark of 17-4 1/2 earlier this year.

The win capped a big weekend for Mason, who along with her twin sister, Rebecca, is enlisting in the Air Force. Mason won both jumps, anchored the 800 relay team to victory Friday and anchored the 1600 relay team to a second-place finish Saturday.

“It is great,” Mason said after posing next to the scoreboard for pictures. “I moved back a whole shoe. I didn’t want to scratch again. It’s awesome.”

Kevin Ply, who coaches the jumpers, said that Mason was well behind the board when she got off her winning jump.

Mason came back later in the day to team with her sister, Rebecca, Sydney Strickler and Macie Callan to set a school record in the 1600 relay with a 4:05.41.

Lowry had a slight lead entering the final lap when Ashley Mason got the baton, and unfortunately, she was unable to cut into the deficit. Lowry was timed in 4:03.64.

“They ran a great race,” head coach David Palmer said. “Obviously we’re disappointed we didn’t win. Their time is a 7-second drop from their own record.

“I don’t know that there is anything they could have done. Lowry ran a fantastic race.”

1A: Falcons finish in 2nd place

The Falcons enjoyed a big day with wins by Emily McNeely (3200, 13:32.6), Rachel Hall (300 hurdles, PR and school record of 48.80), the 1600 relay of Abby Ferenz, Taylor Davison, Ciera Schinzing and Hall (4:27.26) and a school-record performance of 52.76 in the 400 relay by Rosalie Antonucci, Ferenz, Aleyna Gilson and Schinzing).

Mikayla Talkington was second in the shot put (31-11 1/2), and Davison was third in the 800 (2:39.63), Sophia Choat was third in the pole vault (5-6) and Aleyna Gilson was third in the 100 (13.87).

Hall was a double individual winner, posting PRs in both hurdle events (16.58 and 48.80).

“The PR in the 100 hurdles came out of the blue,” Hall said. “I’d been running 17s. In the 300, I’ve been progressing and getting better. I’ve PRd the last two weeks (in the 300). It definitely felt fantastic.”

Hall ran a strong 1600 relay leg, overcoming a slight deficit to give the Falcons the victory.

“It was a great finish by Rachel,” Sierra Lutheran co-head coach Kitty Murphy said.

In the 3200, McNeely was never challenged, beating Wells’ Liberty Johnson by around 25 seconds in a wire-to-wire performance.

Ferenz was part of two relay wins, and she also won the high jump on Friday with a mark of 5-feet, one inch off her previous best.

In the girls 100, Gilson was battling for first place out of the blocks, but was passed by Whittell’s Kyla Rippett and Tonopah’s Emma Jemmergibe in the final 10 meters.