Carson's Ian Schulz wins the boy's discus Saturday with a toss of 162-3 at the Jim Frank Track and Field Complex Saturday.
Corey Reid and Ian Schulz had the Midas touch Saturday at the NIAA Northern Division I track and field finals.
Reid went 3-for-3 in individual events, winning the high jump with a career-tying mark of 6-feet-6, ran a PR of 21,79 to win the 200 and set a regional mark of 47.27 to win the 400 in a photo finish over McQueen’s Connor Ross. And, if that wasn’t enough, he ran a brilliant anchor leg to lead the Senators to a third-place finish in the 800 relay.
Schulz went 2-for-2, winning the shot put with a PR of 52-4 3/4 and demolishing the discus field with a throw of 162-3.
Also moving from the boys squad is Asa Carter, who won the triple jump at 45-9, took third in the long jump with a PR of 21-2 and was part of the third-place 800 relay team with Reid, Brandon Basa and Hector Gomez-Barrios. Greg Wallace is moving on with a second in the high jump (6-4) and Aaron Woodbury was third in the triple jump (43-6 1/2).
Their efforts enabled Carson to finish third as a team. McQueen won with 156 followed by Reed at 104.5 and Carson at 104.
Reid was extremely pleased with his performance. He had just enough to edge Ross at the finish in the 400, and he came from behind in the last 100 meters to edge Damonte’s Ivan Giron-Burnham in the 200 in what was another tight finish.
“It was a good day,” Reid said. “I tickled it (the bar) at 6-7, I was happy with 6-6. It’s all I needed.
“The 400 was a good race. I was too slow in the first 100, but I picked it up in the second 100. Connor came up on me, and I was able to out-lean him at the end. The 400 was a good time. I’ll be trying to PR next week at state.”
Reid and Carter ran solid legs to bring Carson back to third place. Carter was fifth when he got the baton from Brandon Basa, and he was able to move up a place when Reid took over and passed a Reed runner in the final 100 meters.
Saturday was retribution day for Schulz, who failed to make state in either event last year.
“I’m happy with the day,” Schulz said. “It’s a lot better than last year. After I fouled on my first discus throw last week, I started thinking about last year. After that I was OK. I had no doubt that I would win the discus, but I was happy about winning the shot.”
And, he didn’t just win it, he PRd to win the event. His previous best was in the 48s. “I’ve been out there (distance-wise) in practice, and I was finally able to put it together, I had several throws out of the sector. I threw at least three out. I finally got one in.”
For the second straight week, he breezed in the discus. Last week he beat Manogue’s Adrian Luna by 20 feet. This week the margin of victory was nearly 16 feet.
He was disappointed he didn’t get to 170 feet, but happy he won the regional title.
“I think I was trying too much to go for it (170), and I ended up falling out of the ring,” Schulz said. “My entire technique is better than it was last year. I have more experience competing at a higher level and at big events. Football and basketball helped in that respect.”
Schulz played in regional playoffs in both sports, and being on the big stage isn’t intimidating him anymore.
The wins by Schulz gives throws coach Mike Louisiana his first champion since coming to Carson.
“I’m pretty proud of Ian,” Louisiana said. “He had a good warm-up, and he’s had some good throws the last month. He had to connect in competition.”
Louisiana said he and Schulz have been working on getting his right side where it should be and working on arm extension. Based on Saturday’s performance, progress is being made.
Carter ripped off a PR of 21-2 on his third jump. He had predicted earlier this week that it would take a PR to advance, and it did.
After a scratch on his first triple jump, he uncorked a 45-9, his second-best effort of the season.