Four members of the California High School varsity track team competed at the Class 3 State Track and Field Championships Friday-Saturday, May 24-25, at Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City, where junior Sydney Deeken claimed wins in the Triple Jump and the Long Jump events to grab the gold, and All-State honors.
(Last year at state, Deeken became the first two-time winner for the Lady Pintos as she won
the Triple Jump and High Jump. She also placed second in the Long Jump.)
Friday at the state track and field championships, Deeken competed in the Triple Jump and the High Jump, where she won the Triple Jump title with 37'4 1/2".
Going into competition, Deeken said she expected to do well in the Triple Jump and the Long Jump, which she competed in Saturday, also winning the title. "I wasn't nervous, because I have experience at state. My goal was to win the Triple and the Long. The High Jump is Sara Rhine's thing. She's got it in the bag. The Triple Jump is my thing. Then again, anything can happen on any day."
Deeken placed seventh in the High Jump Friday with 5'2", while Eldon's Rhine won the title with 5'7".
But Deeken wasn't finished. She went on to win the Long Jump title Saturday with 17'9 3/4".
"I didn't jump my best, but I'm happy with it, because I won," she said.
"Sydney got better as the weekend went on," CHS Head Coach Rick Edwards said. "She was All-State in the High Jump and then won the Triple and the Long with good jumps. In the Long Jump, she was ranked fourth or fifth coming in and jumped further every time. This is Sydney's fifth state title in three seasons."
California junior Leah Korenberg placed 10th in the 3200 Meter Friday with 11:57.92, while senior Lizzy Kirby placed 15th with 12:23.88.
"Leah broke her own CHS record," Edwards said. "She's come on strong this season. We're very happy to have her coming back next year. She ran a solid time. Lizzy's been running with some health issues, which have slowed her down some. She's had a very productive four years for us. She received a scholarship to run at Missouri Southern next year; they're getting an accomplished runner."
CHS Coach Josh Grotzinger said, "Lizzy's the kids who is always going to perform and be successful."
California freshman Adam Burkett competed in the 3200 Meter Saturday, where he finished 14th with10:29.
"Adam qualifying for the 3200 Meter as a freshman is a big accomplishment," Edwards said. "He's a talented young runner."
Grotzinger added, "It takes a lot of guts to go out as a freshman and lead the first three laps like Adam did."
Edwards said, "I'm happy with our performance at state."