Wilson claims first CIF state crown since 2006
CLOVIS ❯❯ For Wilson's Aujane Luckey and Kaylin Edwards, the concept of leaving it all on the track is all they know.
“I expected this. My body hurts' that's how it feels,” Edwards said. “But I'm happy to be standing on that podium.”
Wilson claimed the top spot on the podium Saturday night at the CIF State Track and Field Championships by winning the girls title. It is the Bruins' first girls state track title since 2006 and their fourth overall.
“I could never ask for anything more,” said Wilson coach Neil Nelson. “A great team. These girls are family, they get along real well. I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm speechless.”
Wilson's team victory was marked by gutsy performances Saturday night from four athletes.
The Bruins won two individual state championships — Luckey in the 400 meters and Edwards in the 300 hurdles. Wilson also recorded top-three finishes in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays at Buchanan High.
Wilson scored 44 points, outdistancing runner-up Culver City (31 points).
For the Bruins, the team title was sweet redemption after they finished third at last year's state meet.
“It wasn't a state title that was given to us, all the performances were great,” Nelson said.
“It was a struggle I can say, but I did finish strong (in the 400) and that's all that matters,” Luckey said. “Finishing strong and accelerating off the last curve.”
Luckey, a senior who signed with Arizona State, won the 400 in a time of 53.26 seconds.
Edwards, a sophomore, won the 300 hurdles in 41.57, which is a top-10 time nationally this year.
Those wins gave Wilson a combined 20 points, a major boost in its pursuit of the state championship.
“We knew what Aujane was capable of, but the day of the state meet is totally different with the nerves. We still have to talk to them, but it was big on her part,” Nelson said. “But Kaylin, I think that surprised not just the state but the whole country for her to go that fast. It was determination, and to be a sophomore, it feels real good.”
“I'm very proud and I just knew that we could do it, but I feel like doing this just shows us how much that we have inside of ourselves,” added Edwards, who finished fourth in the 300 hurdles as a freshman.
Wilson began the running events Saturday by finishing third in the 4x100 relay (46.66), behind Carson's winning time of 45.61. That finish earned Wilson six key early points.
“It felt good to know that our 4x100 team came this far and made it this far through everything,” Luckey said.
Wilson sophomore Loren Webster, competing in the long jump final, finished fourth and set a new school record with a mark of 19 feet, 10.50 inches. That earned Wilson five points for its team total.
Luckey finished seventh in the 200 (24.09) to scored an additional two points.
Wilson senior Ma'Nia Tidwell (San Jose State commit) finished sixth in the 300 hurdles (43.15), adding three points to the team's score.
“Those early girls (Loren and Ma'Nia) were great,” Nelson said. “It was a great team effort.”
Wilson earned eight points with a second-place finish in the 4x400 relay (3:42.49), finishing behind Culver City's 3:41.08.
“With Aujane graduating, I feel our future is still bright. We lose her and Ma'Nia Tidwell, but we have a young team and we have some girls at home that are going to step up, so we'll be back here next year, trying for another one,” Nelson concluded.
Poly junior Mai Ricks finished third in the girls shot put (personal-record 4281/4), behind Notre Dame sophomore Aja Johnson's winning mark of 44-03/4.
Poly sophomore Jillene Wetteland finished fifth in the girls high jump (56), behind Whitney senior Ashanti Elie's winning mark (5-10).
Lakewood finished fourth in the girls 4x100 (46.81), ahead of Poly's eighth-place finish (47.39).