Mayoral, Schaap, Rizek star in meet
All 38 events held Friday in blustery conditions
It was certainly an unconventional Albuquerque Metro Track and Field Championships this year.
The meet was condensed from two days to one because of high winds Thursday, pushing all 38 finals into a packed schedule Friday afternoon and evening at Nusenda Community Stadium. The facility was alternately battered by wind and rain, and with unseasonably cold temperatures.
Volcano Vista’s boys (125) and Cleveland’s girls (93) were the team champions.
Individual highlights included Amanda Mayoral of Cleveland nearly losing a race for the first time in two years, the official return of Volcano Vista sprinter Abram Schaap, and a three-victory performance by St. Pius junior Haley Rizek.
Starting with Mayoral, Cibola’s Juanita Johnson came about as close as anybody has in recent memory to beating Mayoral head-to-head.
In a riveting 1,600-meter final, Mayoral finished in 5 minutes, 12.05 seconds. Johnson, who had nudged ahead of Mayoral with under 200 meters to go, finished in 5:12.13, just 0.08 behind.
Mayoral had an easier time in beating the field in the 3,200-meter final. It must be noted that Mayoral ran the 3,200 before she ran the 1,600, and there was not much time between the two races. Johnson, by contrast, did not compete in the 3,200 and had much fresher legs for the 1,600-meter duel.
Schaap, the Hawks’ gifted senior headed to BYU, returned to competition last week in relays. Friday, he returned to open events and claimed a victory in his specialty event, the 400-meter dash, with a victory in 50.36 seconds.
Rizek, the high-point girl with 21, swept the hurdles — which her closest metro rival, Cleveland’s Sarah Mackin, skipped — and also captured the javelin.
There were three multiple metro champions for the boys: Cleveland’s Daniel Johnson in both hurdles, Volcano Vista’s Blaine Grant (the highpoint athlete, with 21) in the 200 and long jump, and Albuquerque Academy thrower Jackson Morris.
The Colorado Statebound Morris went almost as far in winning the discus (178 feet, 5 inches) as he did in winning the javelin (186-2).
The boys’ 1,600 was a terrific race, with Volcano Vista junior Jericho Cleveland finally pulling away from Eldorado junior Harrison Smith III in the final lap. But Smith later rebounded and won the 800-meter final.
Sandia’s boys claimed two field events, with Ben Bertram taking the shot put and Caleb Bulten winning the pole vault.
Cleveland’s girls had other event winners in Caitlin Barnard (long jump) and Elizabeth Davis (triple jump).
NOTES: La Cueva’s Annabelle Kubinski, a standout junior middle from the Bears’ volleyball team, said she has given a commitment to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
… The seven girls field events had seven different winners.
… Manzano’s Jordan Byrd didn’t run the open 100 or 200; he anchored the winning 4x100-meter relay and ran the opening leg on the first-place 4x200 relay.
… For full results, see page D4.
Baseball
Rain/field conditions forced a suspension Friday afternoon of the District 4-6A championship game between Albuquerque High and Atrisco Heritage.
The visiting Bulldogs were leading 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning when umpires put a stop to things.
The teams will resume in the top of the fifth at 3:30 p.m. Monday at Atrisco Heritage.
Meanwhile, the District 1-6A championship game between Volcano Vista and Cleveland was moved from 10 a.m. today to 2 p.m. at Cleveland.
State selections
Because of the weather, the reveal of the state baseball and team/individual tennis brackets will be delayed. With many teams and districts needing to finish regular seasons or tournaments as late as Monday, the state baseball and tennis brackets will not be announced until 11 p.m. Monday.