Carson freshman Abby Pradere keeps pace with Centennial's Karina Haymore (center) and Alexis Gourrier (right) in the Div. I 1600-meter race Saturday at the NIAA State Championships at Carson High School.
Two years ago, Elaina Marchegger was riding horses. Now, she’s a five-time individual state champ.
Marchegger capped an impressive weekend, winning the 1600-meters in 5:39.33 en route to helping the Falcons wrap up the team title Saturday afternoon at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex.
The individual win was the third of the weekend for Marchegger, who took the 800 and 3200 on Friday in less-than-ideal running conditions. Earlier on Saturday, Marchegger anchored the Falcons’ winning 3200-meter relay team (10:44.54).
“I was trying to run 82 every lap,” Marchegger said.. “I’m not sure if I accomplished that or not.
“It’s definitely a great feeling to win three titles (four overall). I’m blessed that I’m surrounded by supportive people.”
The Falcons also won the 800 relay (1:55.34) and Kristy Missamore brought home a title in the discus with a toss of 112-2. Aleyna Gibson was second in the 400 (64.13), while Rachel Hall (100 hurdles, 18.15), Alysa Rowe (discus, 101-10), Abby Ferenz (high jump, 4-8), Taylor Davison (1600, 6:02.00) and Grace Bonafede (long jump, 15-1) grabbed third-place medals.
It was a quiet day for Carson, as freshman Abby Pradere, showing the effects of a tough 800-meter race on Friday, finished fifth in the 1600.
Pradere was again matched against Centennial standout Karina Haymore, who beat her on Friday, and defending champ Alexis Gourrier, also of Centennial.
Haymore established an all-time Nevada record with a 2:09.80 in the 800 on Friday.
The trio, with Haymore in the lead, went out fast. The group was clocked around 2:31 for the 800. Pradere was still in the front group, but it was obvious she was struggling. Her fatigue set in on the final lap, as Damonte Ranch’s Caitlin Amburgey passed both Pradere and Gourrier to move into second.
Haymore won in 5:08.70, nearly three seconds ahead of Amburgey. Gourrier was timed in 5:17.21, nearly five seconds ahead of Palo Verde’s Emma Wahlenmaier, who passed Pradere on the backstretch to take fourth. Pradere ran a 5:28.94.
“I wanted to break five minutes,” Haymore said. “My math was screwed up. I wanted to go out in 73 and ended up in the high 60s instead. When you go out fast like that, it takes more out of you. I was pretty sore from Friday night.”
“Maybe a little bit,” Pradere said when asked if the pace might have been too fast. “I was just tired from yesterday. I knew on the back end of the second lap things weren’t going to go well.”
Carson assistant Sean Lehmann said Pradere had no gas in her tank.
“She was pooped out from Friday,” Lehmann said. “It was a disappointing time (for her). She had a good season.”
Dayton’s best effort came from discus thrower Samantha Cassinelli, who PRd with a 98-5, good for fourth place and six team points.
“She came in eighth, and she wasn’t expected to do much,” Dayton coach Mike Paul said. “She had a good day.”
Zaria Landis, the Dust Devils’ top distance threat, ran a 5:56.45 to finish seventh in the 1600
Landis ran in front much of the first 1600 meters, but fell all the way to seventh on her third lap and never recovered.
Dayton’s 800 relay team finished eighth thanks to a bad exchange between Macie Callan and Rebecca Mason, the second and third runners. The team never recovered.
Spanish Springs’ Jessica Ozoude set stadium records in the 200 (24.29) and the 400 (55.35).