Dayton High track and field
Dayton High’s Molly McGrew completes the 400-meter dash at the Class 3A Nevada State Track and Field Championships. McGrew finished third and won a bronze medal to cap her junior year.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
With a handful of athletes at the Nevada State Track and Field Championships over the weekend, the Dust Devil track and field team boasted a pair of medal winners on the girls’ side.
In the 400-meter dash, junior Molly McGrew took third in 1:00.42, picking up a bronze medal.
It was the fastest time the Dust Devils had seen in the event all season.
“I just like being able to represent my town, my family and my coaches,” said McGrew. “It makes me feel like my hard work has paid off.”
McGrew feels as though her strongest part is toughing out the grueling finish for the 400.
The junior said she didn’t PR for over a month, but credited the drop in time to a tough practice.
“I think toward the end of the season, around the Carson meet, is when I saw the most progress,” added McGrew.
Senior Ainsley Lau also earned a bronze medal in the long jump where she finished an inch off of her PR with a mark of 15 feet, six inches.
Dayton girls’ 4x200 was sixth at the state meet while the 4x100 took seventh.
McGrew served as the anchor on the 4x200 along with Elysia Torres, Zolet Miklich and Isabel Soto.
In the 4x100, Torres had the lead leg followed by Macy Lieb, Lau and Ariana Moralez.
Kennedy Harris had the sixth best throw in the Class 3A state discus competition, measuring at 86 feet, 10 inches.
For the Dayton boys, a small representation ends with a bittersweet taste as the boys’ 4x100 relay team set a personal record.
The foursome of Colin Loberg, Justin Niels, Daniel Newby and Noah Gibson end the year with a 46.41, but a tough baton handoff to close the race left the Dust Devils wondering what could have been.
“As a freshman, I’m super happy to be at state. I know we didn’t do amazing, but we PR’d though,” said Loberg.
“It’s a little disappointing. Not going to lie,” said Gibson. “Last high school race ever. It’s really tough. A PR is a PR, so I’m happy about that.”
Gibson, the lone senior of the group, also qualified in the 100-meter dash where he took sixth place Friday in 11.92.
The Dayton girls scored 20 team points for a 12th place finish while the Dust Devil boys had four points, taking 18th.
