Luke Nester’21 cheers on Annalise Grammel’20 in the 800 meter dash (Vaughn Armour ‘21/Sports)

Our girls track team began the race to qualify for states last week, as they competed at districts. The meet started on Tuesday, May 14 with field events before moving onto the preliminary races on Thursday, May 16, and finals on Saturday, May 18. To move onto regionals, athletes needed to place in the top four of their respective event.

For the field events, Mabry Nichols’20 is moving on to regionals in the high jump, soaring an astounding 5’ 2” en route to a second place finish.

In the 100 meter dash, Kiersten Thomassey’20 broke her own school record in the preliminary race with a 12.83. Breaking 13 seconds yet again in the final, she ran a 12.93 and placed third to secure herself a spot at regionals. Along with Hannah Clay ‘21, Thomassey also qualified in the 200. Clay placed third with a time of 27.14, with Thomassey not far behind in fourth running a 27.75. Clay wasn’t done yet, as she finished second in the 400 meter dash with a time of 60.17. 

The Vikes distance team also impressed, as Annalise Grammel’20 flew to a first place finish in the 800, making her time of 2:24.65 seem easy. Joining Grammel at regionals is Regan Cornelius’21, who placed second in the mile with a time of 5:29.98. Finally, senior Maddie Tuckerman qualified in the two- mile run, placing third with a 12:03.64. 

The Vikings relays also saw great success. In the 4 by 800, Cornelius, Grammel, Mary Kate Prall’22, and Tuckerman placed second with a 9:57.39. The 4 by 200 also qualified for regionals in second, with Clay, Grammel, Sammie Kass’19, and Thomassey running a 1:46.92. The 4 by 400 were district champions, as the team of Clay, Cornelius, Grammel, and Kass ran a 4:05.50.

CA is gaining speed on its road to states, but first they have to tackle regionals, which will be held at Fairfield Union starting on Wednesday, May 22.