Carson High’s Abby Pradere uses strong finish to win 1,600 in regional meet

Abby Pradere stalked Bishop Manogue’s Hannah Covington for the better part of three laps, and then put her away with an impressive last lap.

Pradere was the first and only Carson High athlete on Friday to qualify for next week’s state meet at Foothill High in Henderson by winning the 1600-meter championship at the 4A regional championship at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex.

Pradere ran a 5:08.05, the third-fastest time in Northern Nevada 4A this year.

Pradere led in the earliest stages of the race, but Covington caught and passed her. Pradere stayed right on Covigton’s shoulder until the late stages of the final, and then she made a dramatic outside move and never gave up the lead. Pradere won by a comfortable margin.

“I had a lot of strategies going through my head,” she said. “My time was really good. I do think I can shave some time off next week. I’m ready.”

“If the pace was too slow, she was going to go out (to the front right away) and carry the race,” CHS assistant coach Steve Pradere said. “It was a good pace.”

Pradere’s time was fifth-fastest overall in Nevada this year. The best in Southern Nevada is Centennial’s Alexis Gourrier, who has run a 5:04.68.

Carson’s 3200 girls relay team of Jaidyn Shepard, Rheanna Jackson, Hannah Kaiser and Gabriela Fernandez shaved 10 seconds off their previous best with a 10:01, but the Senators came up one spot short of making state.

“They ran great,” CHS assistant Steve Pradere said. “I am so proud of them.”

Wooster’s anchor was able to hold off Fernandez down the stretch.

The Carson boys were fifth in the 400 relay, running a 44.70, a scant .60 out of a state qualifying spot. The boys 1600 relay squad was sixth despite running a 3:32.34. The girls’ 800 relay ran a 1:50.05 to finish sixth. Amanda Schulz was sixth n the discus at 107-11 and Anya Woodbury was sixth in the long jump at 16-2 1/2.

Douglas’ Logan Kyle won the pole vault with a mark of 14-3 and Sean Wolfkiel moved on in the triple jump with a leap of 44-2. Kindra Ruckman took third in the discus with a 119-2.

Dawson Coman was fourth in the 100, just missing a qualifying spot, and the Tigers’ 400-meter relay team was disqualified.

3A: Ply wins 300 hurdles; Mason, Strong qualify

J.J. Ply, who just started running the 300 hurdles late in the season, won the title with a meet record of 39.54. The old record was 40.17 set last year by Sparks’ Nick Van Patten.

Ashley Mason also gained a state berth with a personal-best effort of 16-10 in the long jump. Kassie Strong unleashed a throw of 108-3 to gain the last state spot, and the Dust Devils’ 800 relay team of Rebecca and Ashley Mason, Sydney Strickler and Macie Callan placed second in 150.09.

Ply, who earlier just missed state in the pole vault, made up for it with a strong effort in the hurdle race. He did stutter before the first two hurdles, but rebounded nicely. He took control of the race in the last 150 meters. This result comes on the heels of a 39.13 clocking in the trials. He has the third-fastest 300 time (39.13) in the entire state and his 110 time of 14.63 is tied for third overall.

“I was crowding the hurdle every time,” he said. “I’m not sure what I was doing differently. I can’t really complain, though. I was hoping to get around 39 (flat).”

Mason PR’d by two inches.

“I knew it was a good jump when I took off,” Mason said. “I wanted 17. That would have been a school record. I’ve been in the high 16s in practice.”

Sydney Strickler just missed a state berth in the 200 with a 28.10.

1A: Sierra Lutheran dominates

As expected, the Falcons had a big day, and have already a plethora of athletes for state.

Elaina Marchegger won the 1600 with a 5:40.30, and she ran a leg on the winning 3200 meter relay team with Taylor Davison, Clare Davison and Emily McNeely which set a meet record of 11:02.17, eclipsing the old mark of 11:03.71 set last year by Wells.

Marchegger has been battling some health issues that cropped up during cross country, so she was not only happy to win, but happy with her time which was a PR. “I’m happy to be out and running,” she said. “It’s very exciting.”

Jared Marchegger won the 3200 in 10:32.63 and took third in the 800 with a 2:09.87. The Falcons’ 400-meter relay team of Cole Contreras, Grant Goins, Tyrale Luke and Jacob Rodriguez set a meet record with a 45.43. Craig Moe won the triple jump with a 38-7 and Blake Ranalla took the pole vault at 11 feet and was second in the triple jump at 38-6 1/2. Ricky McNeely qualified in the (800, 2:07.99) and the 3200 (10:42.90).

Peyton Hedwall (2nd, shot put), Steven Flanagan (2nd, pole vault), Taylor Davison (3rd, 1600), Aleyna Gilson (2nd, 400, 4th in 200), Rachel Hall (3rd, 100 hurdles), Emily McNeely (4th, 1600) and Grace Bonafede (2nd, long jump) are also advancing. The Falcons also qualified their 1600 relay team (3:59.98).

Virginia City’s Colt Hess won the 800 in 2:06.15, and he also anchored the Muckers’ second-place 1600 relay team that closcked a 3:43.17.

“I’m trying to get under 2 minutes,” Hess said. “I try to get out in front early and keep my pace.”