Led by versatile senior Claire Lee, the St. Michael’s girls were right at home in running away with the second annual track and field Invitational they hosted Saturday

By Arnie Leshin 

Claire Lee just doesn’t slow down, which is why she’s coming off an impressive junior track and field campaign to an even better one in this her final season at St. Michael’s.

 

And she sure has versatility. She sparkled once again for the soccer team that reached the state 3A final, and is finishing with a flourish on the oval.

 

At the second annual St. Michael’s Invitational run on Saturday, she went 5-for-5 in winning the 100-meter dash, the 100 hurdles, the 300 intermediate hurdles, the triple jump, and sped the second leg on the first place 4 x 200 relay quartet.

 

Which means she’s prepping for the upcoming district 2-3A to be held at St. Michael’s and then the state championships at the University of New Mexico track.

 

As for the Lady Horsemen, they simply dominated at home, scoring 170 points, almost 100 more than runner-up West Las Vegas. Third was Bernalillo with 58.5, followed by Robertson with 54, and Cuba with 49.5.

 

Lee paved the way, but her team had other top performances. The 800 went to senior Violet Eklund in 2:37.34, with 8th grade teammate Laura Pecos second in 2:48.84. The 1,600 was won by senior Janai Clayton in 5:45.94, and the next two places went to Eklund and Pecos.

 

Both hurdles went to Lee, the 100 in 16.44, and the 300 in 48.54. Then she raced with the 4 x 200 relay team that won in 1:49.64. In the triple jump, she went 34-7.5, and in the century dash, she timed 13:54.

 

Then there was Jackie Gorman taking the high jump at 4-8, Daisy Smith the long jump with a best of 15-2.5, and just edging sophomore teammate Olivia Farrar by 5ths.

 

Passing the baton with Lee was junior Julie Kastendieck, senior Joelyn Fernandez and sophomore Stella Valencia. In the victorious 4 x 100, it was again Kastendieck on the lead leg, with Fernandez, Valencia, as well as Stenberg.

 

         . . . At the annual Mark Shumate Invite held at Albuquerque Menual, it wasn’t surprising to have Santa Fe Prep junior Hayden Colfax win three individual events and run third leg on the sprint medley relay team that won in 4:38.53.

 

         Set to carry off more medals at state, her versatility brought wins in the 110 hurdles in 15:55, the high jump at 5-feet, and the triple jump with a best of 37-2. The long jump went to Griffin freshman Isabel Voinesco by soaring 15-6.75. Voinesco also placed second in the triple jump, and senior Daisy Cunningham also went over the bar at 5-feet and was the runner-up.    

 

          In the team scoring, the Griffins placed second with 71 points, but far behind the 125 rung up by Albuquerque Hope Christian.

 

            . . . At the Santa Fe Indian School Invitational, Academy of Technology and The Classics won both the girls and boys team titles. The Phoenix girls finishing ahead of the host Braves, 207.5 to 101.5.

   

           It was an impressive day for the ATC Rittmeyer sisters, Maggie the sophomore and Lilly the 8th grader. They finished one-two in the 3,200, with Maggie taking first. In the 1,600, it was sophomore teammate Karnryi Hoehne pacing the field, with Lilly placing second and freshmanMariah Trujillo third.

 

            The ATC girls also swept the relays, while 8th grader Noelani Van Loon was the best in the long jump, and the 400 also went to the Phoenix and 8th grader Channelle Jaeger.  

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