By Kyle LoJacono
Four girls and two boys from Wiregrass Ranch track and field programs earned state berths at the Class 3A regional meet April 24 at Leto.
Hannah Eder was the only Bull to qualify for two events.
The senior took fourth in the long jump (17-feet, 1.5-inches) to earn her first state berth.
“I was having dreams that I made it to states,” Eder said. “I was really excited, but I actually thought I got fifth place just like last year. When I heard I got fourth, I was elated.”
Eder broke her own program record in the triple jump by 11.5 inches by posting 36-04.5 to take third. She said she had no expectation to make states in the event because she was seeded 11th.
“I wasn’t too stressed out in the triple because I didn’t expect to do that much, so I figured just give it my all,” Eder said. “When I saw that number, whew, unbelievable. … What these other kids have done is pretty intimidating, and that’s the reason I thought I wasn’t going to make it.”
Sophomore pole vaulter Casey Chitty also advanced to her first state meet by clearing 9. She tied Belleview senior Natalia Piferrer for the best vault of the day, but lost a tiebreaker to finish as regional runner-up.
“I’m so excited to go to states,” Chitty said. “I was really nervous coming in. Didn’t know where I’d stack up; thought I could get 9-06, but I’m really happy.”
Chitty picked up the event during the summer before her freshman year when she started working with Florida Pole Vault Academy. She said she wants to work on her runs to build more speed and improve her turn to get over the bar more easily.
“My turn stopped me from clearing 9-06 on my second attempt, so I think if I do that I can do a lot better,” Chitty said.
Freshman Maddie Conway rounded out the Bulls first-time state qualifiers by placing fourth in the 1,600 meters (5 minutes, 24.83 seconds).
“I was not expecting this at all because I knew I had six fast people seeded ahead of me,” Conway said. “I was like, you know what, if I want to make it to states I really need to push myself for this fourth spot. … Right now I don’t know how I just pulled that off.”
Wiregrass Ranch senior Nikita Shah earned her fourth state berth in the 3,200, where she finished as regional runner-up in 11:30.98. The Harvard University signee placed third in the event at states last season.
The Bulls scored 36 points to tie for fourth place at the 38-team meet, 18 off Orlando Evans’ championship pace. The Wiregrass Ranch boys scored 17 to take 14th.
Elijah Boston broke the school record in the discus throw with his 154-05.5, beating the previous mark by more than five feet. The senior placed second to earn his first trip to states.
“I feel accomplished,” Boston said. “My first season goal was to make it to states. My next goal was school record. You can ask anyone on the team I was saying I’m breaking it at this meet.”
The program record-setting throw came on Boston’s first attempt of the prelims.
“If I’m really warmed up then usually my first throw is my best throw,” Boston said. “I saw it go, and honestly I didn’t see it hit because I left straight out circle. I didn’t hear the distance, just heard something four, and then my coach yelled 154. I was so happy.”
Senior Ermias Bireda also advanced by taking third in the 1,600 (4:28.98).
The 3A state meet is May 3 at the University of North Florida.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
