Mustangs compete in Roy Crabtree Pirate Classic in Wheatland
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WHEATLAND >> A little snow, rain and cold didn’t prevent the Middletown High School track and field team from making the drive to Wheatland and competing in the Roy Crabtree Pirate Classic on a gloomy Friday in Wheatland.
Several of the team’s athletes turned in top-notch performances despite the gloomy weather conditions, most notably senior Makayla Mace, one of the Mustangs’ captains, who won both the 100 meters (13.97 seconds) and the 100 hurdles (18.06). Her time in the hurdles was a personal best. Mace most likely would have added a third first-place finish had she competed in the pole vault, but the weather conditions did not allow the event to take place.
“It was still raining pretty hard for the first few events,” Middletown head coach Wyatt Hall said. “The sun finally decided to come out in time for the final half hour of the meet (the start of which was delayed an hour and a half because of the weather).”
Added Hall, “Despite the weather, my athletes did well. Many ran for the first time in a high school track meet.”
Instead of medals, varsity event winners received patches this year.
Varsity girls
Besides Mace, Middletown’s other two varsity girls captains also enjoyed a strong day on the track. Bailey Smith, a junior, was first in the 400 (1 minutes, 8.51 seconds) and third in 800 (2:58.94) where she finished just behind senior Cat Barriga (second in 2:52.02). Barrigan added another second in the 1,600 (6:35.04).
Sophie Yebra won the 3,200 in 14:11.80 while Krystal Ocken topped the field in the shotput, winning with a throw of 29 feet, 9 inches.
Isa Barnes, a sophomore, finished second in the 300 hurdles (56.10) and the long jump (13-2 ½) and third in the 100 hurdles (19.09) and high jump (4-0) where Mia Hoogendoorn (4-3) came in second.
Varsity boys
Middletown’s Quinn Murray posted second-place finishes in the 800 (2:32.95) and 1,600 (5:43.52) with teammate Landson Pisaro third in both events – 800 (2:35.89) and 1,600 (5:51.41).
Kayden Menzio, a senior running track for the first time, placed second in the 3,200 (12:05.84).
Also for the Mustangs, Bryan Sanchez took third in the 400 (1:00.00). His top event, the pole vault, was canceled because of the weather.
Frosh-soph girls
Middletown’s Casi Padilla won the 100 (14.66) and placed second in the 200 (31.77) while Emma Jones took second in the 300 hurdles (59.14), her first time running the event.
Veronica Daughtery won the long jump (12-6) right after competing in the 100.
Crystal Duval placed second in the discus (50-3 ½) despite scratching on her first two attempts. She also took third in the shotput (22-2).
Frosh-soph boys
Isael Haro and Esteban Muniz scored firsts for Middletown in the frosh-soph boys division. Haro won the 3,200 (12:44.06) and finished second in the 1,600 (5:49.19). Muniz won the 100 in 12.86, faster than Middletown’s varsity boys, and also placed third in the high jump (4-6).
Also for the Mustangs, Jamisen Jackson placed second in the 200 (26.40).
“Jackson has a lot of potential as a sprinter,” Hall said. “He can only run in the frosh-soph division this year because he transferred from another school, but I know he will be helping out the varsity squad next year.”