Mitchell Qualifies For State In High Jump
Stepping up in the first meet of the season, Rockbridge County High School sophomore Ariana Mitchell qualified by height for the Class 3 state indoor track and field meet in the girls’ high jump, leading the Wildcats last Wednesday at Fork Union Military Academy.
Competing in a mini-invitational at the Estes Athletic Center, Mitchell tied two jumpers for second place, clearing 4 feet, 10 inches. Eastern View’s Anaya Tines won the high jump with a mark of 5 feet. Mitchell was a state qualifier in the high jump during both the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons as a freshman, and her personal record is 5-2.
Mitchell also performed well in the 55-meter dash, placing 14th in 8.11 seconds. Following closely was freshman teammate Sarah Lewis, finishing 15th in 8.12 seconds. Also making her debut for RC was freshman Keziah Howard, coming in 23rd in 8.45 seconds.
The RC girls placed ninth in the 4 X 200-meter relay in 2:07.22. RC head coach Jennifer Showalter said they “battled hard” and gained “valuable racing experi-
, page A10 ence.” Team members were Lewis, Howard, Mitchell and junior Maria Calomeris.
Freshman Audra Roney represented the Wildcats in the girls’ 500-meter dash, finishing 12th in 1:41.61.
Calomeris led the RC girls in the 300-meter dash, placing 25th in 54.81 seconds, while freshman Azalea Whitehead came in 26th in 54.96, and freshman Katherine Finn came in 27th in 57.57. Finn also competed in the high jump, tying for 10th place by clearing 4-4. Showalter said all three Wildcats “showed determination and growth competing in a deep field.”
The RC girls had three throwers competing in the shot put. Junior Cate Wilson led the way, placing 12th with a toss of 21-5, while junior teammate Julieanne Woodward finished 19th with a throw of 17-11. Making her track and field debut was freshman Kaitlyn Higgins, coming in 22nd with a toss of 16-7.
The lone RC boy was junior Finbar Looney, placing 28th in the shot put with a personal-record throw of 28-2.
Reviewing the meet, Showalter said it was a “great effort across the board from our athletes,” with a lot of “learning moments and confidence builders. Excited to see this group continue to improve as the season unfolds.”
After having the Dec. 6 polar bear (outdoor) meet at Fort Defiance canceled due to inclement weather, Showalter said the Fork Union meet was a “great start to the season, and glad we were able to get this meet in before the holidays.” She said her athletes performed well, despite having practice canceled early last week due to the snow.
“The team is young but has great determination,” added Showalter.
After the holiday break, the Wildcats will compete at the Virginia Track Coaches Association Winter Classic on Friday, Jan. 9 at the Edward S. Long Jr. Track Complex at Rockingham County’s new indoor recreation center facility in Penn Laird.
