State boys track: Schulz takes second in discus

Ian Schulz’s first throw in the discus never made it out of the cage. Not exactly the way he wanted to start the competition.

Fortunately, you get six throws, and Schulz really only needed one more throw to set a new PR and school record at 176-6 and grab second place and a school record at Friday’s NIAA State Track & Field Championships at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex.

Carson High teammate Asa Carter placed third in the long jump at 22-1 ¼. Dayton discus star Zach Hawley also set a school record with a throw of 180-1 to place third in the 1A discus. JJ Ply of Dayton was second in the 110 high hurdles at 15.38 and he was fourth in the high jump at 6-2.

Sierra Lutheran, a Division IV school, got an individual championship from discus thrower Zach Ferenz, who tossed a 135-9 and the 800 relay team ran a 1:37.77 to nudge Virginia City for the title. The Falcons’ 3200-meter relay team was second to Excel Christian in 9:08.46. Ricky NcNeely was second in the 1600 in 4:59.80. Virginia City’s Price Poston was second in the 110 high hurdles in 16.54 and also took second in the long jump at 20-8 3/4. Colt Hess, also of VC, was second in the 400 at 53.19 and fourth in the 200 at 24.86.

Schulz’s 176-6 eclipsed his old PR of 170-1 set at the Sacramento Meet of Champions at American River College earlier this year.

“I’m happy that I broke my record,” said Schulz, who was runner-up to Liberty’s Nicholas Tapuala. “At the same time I’m disappointed because I think I could have done better. I had a hard time of getting the discus up in the air. Unfortunately we didn’t have the wind the earlier group had. It died down quite a bit by the time we got to throw.”

Carson throws coach Mike Louisiana said Schulz was having some technical issues.

“He’s doing some things at the back of the ring,” said Carson’s veteran coach. “He is dipping a little bit and his head is leaning to the right coming out of the back which puts him off balance.

“I’m happy that he got a new school record, though. It was a really long day for him. I’m looking forward to Saturday (today). I’d like to see him break the school shot put record (60-6).”

When Schulz was talking about the wind, it really wasn’t sour grapes. The early throwers had an edge, and they took advantage.

Boulder City’s Sam Gomez (189-11), Fallon’s T.J. Mauga (181-11) and Hawley (180-1) all broke the stadium record of 179-4 set by Reno Tuufuli of Liberty in 2014 and the meet record of 175-9 set in 1999 by North Tahoe’s Joe Lockridge.

Gomez won the competition on his first throw, drawing roars of approval from the stands and handclaps from his competitors.

“I was surprised,” Gomez said before leaving the discus area. “I’d never thrown over 180 before. It was a tough competition.”

Hawley opened with a 159-3 and then broke Josh Koch’s school mark of 170-1 with a toss of 177-3. After a foul, Hawley went 169-0, 173-8 and 180-1 on his final throw. Three school records in six throws.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for second, as Mauga uncorked his 181-11 on his final throw.

“I’m not,” Hawley responded when asked if he was disappointed with his third-place finish. “I broke the school record.

“As sooon as Sam threw it, I knew it was good. He made a solid move (across the ring). I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Dayton coach Mike Paul had no complaints.

“I would have liked to have seen him win, but I have nothing to complain about.

“He had an 11-foot improvement. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a meet where the top three guys all go over 180.”

Carter entered the long jump competition seeded seventh, and thanks to his jump of 22-1 1/4, finished third

Carter had a solid series with five jumps in the 21s and one in the 22s.

“I felt good,” Carter said. “I came in seventh and finished third. I tied my mark from last week.

“The weather (windy and a bit of snow) didn’t bother me. I warmed up well and kept moving between jumps to keep warm.”

Carson head coach Robert Maw was pleased.

“It (his place) was better than we expected,” Maw said. “Asa jumped well in less-than-ideal conditions.”

Ply, who has been bothered by a sore groin, ran a solid hurdles race. He was one-tent of a second off his season best of 15.37.

“I ran pretty well,” Ply said. “The tightness is there. I can feel it. I was slow as usual to the first hurdle.

“I had a couple of good jumps at 6-4.”

Ply will be in two events today.