A season after fielding a team of around only 10 athletes, the Flowing Wells girls track and field team won the Mario Castro Track and Field Invitational on Friday night.
At the University of Arizona's Drachman Stadium, Flowing Wells edged second-place Tucson High 93-82.50. On the boys side, Salpointe Catholic won the title by 23 points.
Flowing Wells girls coach Ellen Mork said the team win was good because it keeps the young squad motivated as they’re trying to build up the program.
“It’s good for our girls,” Mork said. “Right now for Flowing Wells we’re trying to get the girls interested in more sports and especially in track.”
Mork said she was most impressed with freshman Saydie Chavez, who smashed her personal record in the 3200 meters. Chavez won the event in 11:39.27. She also won the 1600 meters in 5:27.73.
“Her PR prior today was an 11:59 and she ran an 11:39,” Mork said. “She ran a smart race, she took the lead when she needed to and she kept it and finished strong.”
Despite nursing an ankle injury and not being able to practice, Mountain View senior Justice Summerset won the high jump with a meet record of 7 feet.
He said he bruised his ankle three weeks ago. He’s trying to get healthy by practicing less and not competing as much, although he expects it to be a problem for two more weeks.
“I came out and jumped pretty well today and I was surprised by that, not practicing this week at all,” Summerset said.
Summerset, who wore his trademark UA socks and UA shorts between his events, won the high jump at his future home track. He has committed to Arizona.
“It’s awesome, Summerset said. “I kind of get to protect my home for the next four years. I’m excited to compete here and be a Wildcat.”
Tucson High sophomore Neysia Howard won three golds. She won the 100 meters in 12.19, the 200 in 25.69 and the 400 relay, along with Dejanae Wilmore, Izaria Maxey and Catalina Rodriguez-Portillo.
The Tucson High boys 4x100 relay team won with a time of 42.15, a school record. The relay team featured Tyree Pierson, D.J. Hintin, Tavian Ross and Adrian Valenzuela.
Sahuaro junior Brielle Sterns won three events: the 300 hurdles in 48.03, the long jump (leaping 16-11) and the 1600 relay in 4:08.44, along with La Shante Butler, Kaylen Fox and Annabella Spencer. This was Sterns’ first time competing in the long jump this season.
Tucson High junior Ana Lopez won the girls high jump, with a leap of 5-4. She finished tied for second in the long jump, with teammate, Rodriguez-Portillo, getting 16-7.
“I did decent, I was hoping for higher, 5-8,” Lopez said.
Lopez’s highest jump this season, 5-6, came at Drachman, in the Willie Williams Classic. At that meet she also won the long jump.
Lopez, who has jumped a school record 5-7, said she likes how the season has gone for overall.
“It’s gone really good honestly, I’m excited for state,” Lopez said. “I’ve been putting in work, putting in the weight room, muscle in my legs, so we’ll see.”
