On Wednesday May 20, and Friday May 22, Women’s and Men’s track and field began a competitive two-day metro league championships. Both teams had a competitive and fulfilling season, winning multiple meets including competitive invites such as Nike Twilight Relays.
Wednesday opened up with a competitive 100m men’s and women's prelim with freshman Sawyer Childs and Jojo Watson, sophomore Addie Miller, and senior Kiana Johnson qualified for the finals. Following the 100m, five track prelims and one final. took place where 23 crusaders qualified for either a final race on Friday, or the OSAA state track meet.
On the field side on Wednesday, seven women’s and men’s athletes placed on the podium with six athletes including freshman Gianna Pahlow, sophomores Addie Miller and William Alleman, juniors and Metro-League javelin champion and runner-up Hope Hansen and Marissa Rystadt, and Senior Iman Foster.
For metro-league Men’s High Jump champion, William Alleman, it was quite the experience to win Metro for his event.
“It felt pretty surreal, especially because it’s my first year doing it and I am very excited for state,” Alleman shared.
Friday, May 22, opened up with a school record breaking, league-winning, meet record, Women’s and Men’s 4x100mR.
The women’s team with seniors Kiana Johnson and Iman Foster, and sophomores Addie Miller and Eva Hairston, ran a season, league, school, and personal best of 46.96.
For senior Aaron Rodriguez, running a new record time of 41.46 with Jack Rader, Sam Curvy, and Sawyer Childs was a great feeling.
“It was an amazing day to break the school record and I am glad that I did it with these guys. I celebrated with our last leg, Jack right after he crossed the finish line,” Rodriguez said.
Following the relay, eight events occurred with 14 more sprint event qualifiers.
Amongst this group of elite racers included Senior Kiana Johnson, who broke the school record in the 200m.
“I didn’t know what the record was or that I had broken the record after running in the 200 final, I was just happy to PR. I have been after some records since I started running here and it feels great to accomplish those goals my senior year. Going into state, I look forward to getting the opportunity to showcase my work and represent Jesuit’s name one last time,” Johnson shared.
Freshman 100 and 200 meter record holder, and 4×100 school record holder Sawyer Childs, also qualified in the 200m.
“I'm really excited to be heading to state in both the 200 and the 4×1 relay. Running a 21.7 as a freshman and helping our relay break the school record and win districts feels unreal, and I’m confident and ready to compete against the best at state,” Childs said.
Back on the field side, the crusaders had jumpers Iman Foster, Addie Miller, and Sam Curvy qualify for triple jump. Junior Molly-Mei Delaney also qualified for the women's pole vault.
To conclude the meet, the women’s side won by over 50 points, and the men took a hard earned second place. Both teams hope to repeat their state titles looking for strong performances from distance runners Kellen Williams, Jackson Welsh, and Liam Donnelly, and sprinter/jumpers Jack Rader, Sawyer Childs, Addie Miller, Iman Foster, and Kiana Johnson.
The state track meet will take place on May 29th and 30th at the University of Oregon’s Hayward field.
