Reid, Carson boys have a busy, strong day at state track

LAS VEGAS — Corey Reid had an unbelievably busy Friday night at the NIAA State Track & Field Championships.

Reid, the defending champ in the 400, was unable to come away with any first-place finishes, but he did finish second in both the 200 and 400, and tied for third in the high jump.

Certainly not the way he wanted to finish his high school career, but a successful night nonetheless.

Two other CHS teammates — Ian Schulz (discus) and Asa Carter (long jump) — brought home medals.

Reid was unable to defend his 400 title, and it took a new record to beat him.

Ian Mack of Green Valley clocked an amazing meet-record 47.03 to get the nod over Reid, who outleaned Connor Ross of McQueen to finish second in 47.25.

Reid was third with 100 meters left, and everybody in the stadium waited for a typical come-from-behind finish by the CHS senior. Mack had just enough to hold him off for the upset win.

“Ian ran a great race,” Reid said. “I felt like I ran a good race. I didn’t have as good of a kick as I usually have.”

Reid was .02 better than last week in the regional finals. All eight runners had run under 49 entering the race, and six of the finalists were under 49.

In the high jump, Reid cleared 6, 6-2 and 6-4 on his first jumps. He missed his next three at 6-5.

Basic’s Frank Harris won the event with a jump off 6-8 and Liberty’s John Watkins were second at 6-6.

“Both of those guys were better,” Reid said. “They have a lot more speed than me. I’m more technique.”

Teammate Greg Wallace was fifth in the event, also at 6-4. He got the 6-4 on his final jump at that height. The bar wobbled, but stayed up.

“He (Wallace) did well,” assistant coach Julie Reid said. “He’s only a sophomore, and 6-4 is a good mark.”

“Yeah, I thought I did pretty well,” Wallace said. “I would have liked to have gone 6-6 or 6-7.”

Carter PRd by nearly a foot with his jump of 22-1 which gave him a medal. He was able to beat Douglas rivals Conner Lyons (6th, 21-8 3/4) and Nicholas Abreu (8th, 21-4) in the process. It was the first time he’d beaten Lyons.

“I came in here (ranked) seventh,” Carter said. “I like to be the underdog.”

“Asa had a big night,” Carson coach Robert Maw said. “That was an impressive PR.”

Carter also ran an impressive first leg on the Senators’ seventh-place 800 relay team. Brandon Basa and Hector Gomez Barrios were unable to hold onto the pace. Reid was so far behind, he literally coasted the last 30 yards to conserve energy for his other events.

Schulz, who won the regional championship last week, threw 157-11 and was well behind Green Valley’s Brady Walker (164-8) and Liberty’s Cyrius Vea (162-1). The Carson standout wasn’t a happy camper despite winning a medal in his first-ever state meet.

Schulz’s first throw sailed out of the sectior, but he settled down after that. The remainder of his set was in the 150-foot range.

“The first throw I felt good; felt powerful,” Schulz said. “After that for some reason I couldn’t get going. I felt weak. I wasn’t exploding out the front.”

The CHS junior has a chance to redeem himself today at 9 a.m. in the shotput.

1A: Hawley 2nd in discus

Dayton’s Zach Hawley finished second in the discus, throwing 154-7, which was well off his best.

“I just didn’t have it today,” Hawley said, waiting at the award stand. “It was not a good set. I’m looking forward to the shot put tomorrow (today).”

Teammates Jesus Castaneda and Jason Sandborn placed seventh and eighth in the event at 131-6 and 115-1, respectively.

Dallon Mendoza also grabbed a second place, clocking a 50.52 in the 400. Benji Ply jumped 6-6 to place second in the high jump.

J.J /Ply was fourth in the 110 hurdles (15.5) and fifth in the high jump at 6-feet.

D-4: Rodriguez, Ferenz shine for Sierra Lutheran

Jacob Rodriguez took second in the 400 (54.57) and was fourth in the 200 (24.54) on the first day of finals.

Zach Ferenz was second in the hiugh jump at 5-8 and fourth in the discus at 120-10.

Ricky McNeely took second in the 1600, as the Falcons performed quite well on the first day. McNeely was timed in 4:56. Evan Lewis also grabbed a medal, taking fourth in the 110 hurdles (17.63).

Sierra Lutheran’s 3200 relay team took third in 9:02.2 and fourth in the 800 relay (1:41.94).