From left, Nyla Lee, Jaiya Daniels and Syana Sanchez finished 2-1-3 respectively in the 100 m, all in state qualifying times. Photo by Blake Wood
Melaki Gutierrez won the long jump with a state qualifying leap of 20’ 11-1/4”. He also won and qualified for the State Championship in the 100 and 200 m races, and anchored the state qualifying 4×100 m relay team. Photo by Blake Wood
By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
LAHS Cross Country
The LAHS Boys and Girls Track & Field teams turned in some excellent performances in their season opener at the Chile Quad Meet Saturday, March 4 at Albuquerque Academy.
The Hilltoppper Girls achieved a number of individual and relay qualifying marks for the State Championship in May. Sophomore Jaiya Daniels, senior Nyla Lee, and junior Syana Sanchez all qualified in the 100 m, taking the top-3 places in that order. Daniels’ winning time was 12.74 seconds. Similarly, Lee, Daniels and junior Meredith Brown all qualified in the 200 m, also taking the top-3 places in that order. Lee’s winning time was 26.64 seconds. Junior Angelina Passalaqua posted a state qualifying time of 15.99 seconds to win the 100 m hurdles.
The ‘Topper Girls 4×100 relay (senior Kayli Lincoln, Passalaqua, Meredith Brown and sophomore Allie Holland) won in a state qualifying time of 50.33 seconds.
The Girls 4×200 relay (Nyla Lee, Syana Sanchez, Meredith Brown, and Jaiya Daniel) won in what would have been a state qualifying time of 1:45.16. Unfortunately, a technical problem with the timing system meant that this won’t count, but as they beat the SQ time by more than 7 seconds, they will surely get it next time.
In the field events, sophomore Colette Bibeault qualified for the State Championship in both the pole vault and high jump (4’10”). Angelina Passalaqua and Allie Holland both qualified in the long jump (17’ 3.75” and 16’ 5.25”, respectively). Jaiya Daniels qualified in the triple jump.
Melaki Gutierrez had a big meet, qualifying for the State Championship in three individual events and one relay. He won both the 100 and 200 m races in times of 10.85 seconds and 22.13 seconds, respectively. He also won the long jump with a leap of 20’ 11.25”. Melaki, along with teammates Akim Leija, Rocco Quintana, Julian Singell won the 4×100 m relay in a time of 43.08 seconds. And Julian Singell qualified for the State Championship by winning the 110 m hurdles in a time of 15.55 seconds.
The Hilltopper JV Track & Field teams compete on Wednesday at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho. The Varsity teams travel to El Paso next Friday and Saturday to compete in the Eastwood Fred Loya Invitational.
Colette Bibeault won the pole vault and achieved a state qualifying mark. She also qualified in the high jump, with a leap of 4’ 10”. Photo by Blake Wood
Julian Singell won the 110 m hurdles in a state qualifying time of 15.55 seconds. He also was part of the state qualifying 4×100 m relay team. Photo by Blake Wood
Angelina Passalaqua won the 100 m hurdles in a state qualifying time of 15.99 seconds. She also qualified for the State Championship in the long jump and was part of the state qualifying 4×100 m relay team. Photo by Blake Wood