4A REGIONALS: Pahrump’s Stearns vaults to Sunset record

Pahrump Valley’s Nick Stearns hasn’t had much practice in the pole vault this season.

In fact, Wednesday’s opening day of the Sunset Region meet at Del Sol was only the fourth meet in which the Trojan senior competed in the event.

And all he did was clear 15 feet, 6 inches — a regional record and the 10th-best mark in the country this season, according to athletic.net.

“These were the best vaulting conditions this year. Up until now it’s either been windy or freezing cold,” Stearns said. “This year has been a breakthrough for me.”

Del Sol senior Colin Smith also broke a record Wednesday, winning the Sunrise Region’s 3,200-meter run in 9 minutes, 33.36 seconds to top the previous mark of 9:33.88 set in 2007.

Smith led from the start and never relinquished his lead.

“I had hopes of a fast time in these conditions,” Smith said. “After the first mile when I saw my time (4:47), I just concentrated on holding my pace.”

Finals were held in three boys and three girls field events, as well as the boys 3,200 and girls 3,200 relay on Wednesday. The meets continue Friday and conclude on May 13.

In the running events, the top two athletes or teams from each region and the next best time, regardless of region, qualify for state. In the field events, the top three athletes from each region qualify for state.

Other winners in the Sunrise boys meet were: Basic’s Blaze Galardy, who cleared 14-6 in the pole vault; Liberty’s Jordan Kapeli with an effort of 55-8 in the shot put; and Canyon Springs’ Corey Esco with a triple jump mark of 47-3½.

Clark’s Basabose Bahati took the Sunset boys 3,200 run in 9:38.61. Centennial’s Jared Cody captured the shot put at 53-3½, and Arbor View’s Corey Brown took the triple jump, covering 44-7.

As expected in the Sunset girls meet, Legacy’s Avione Allgood and Palo Verde’s Ashlie Blake took the top two spots in the discus.

Allgood’s winning throw of 140-11 was just two inches shy of the stadium record she set last May. Blake was second with a throw of 139-11.

Also winning Sunset girls events were: Durango’s Tiarra Beville in the high jump at 5-2; Centennial’s LaTangie Richard in the long jump with an effort of 17-4 3/4; and Centennial’s 3,200 relay team, which finished in 9:49.49.

Silverado’s Diamondique Wright won the Sunrise girls discus with a throw of 107-11. Lena Laengle of Foothill took the high jump by clearing 5-0. Valley’s Krystal Wharton was the long jump champion with a leap of 17-4.

Coronado took the 3,200 relay in 9:49.89.

 

3200–Smith, DS, 9:33.36; Carter, Sil, 9:45.76; Greene, FH, 9:48.33. Triple jump–Esco, CS, 47-3½; Hatten, Sil, 46-2¾; Zinnamon, SM, 44-10½. Pole Vault–Galardy, Bas, 14-6; Olague, Chap, 14-6; Creiger, Lib, 13-0. Shot put–Kapeli, Lib, 55-8; Wilson, LV, 49-6; Verdugo, LV, 49-4.

3200 relay–Coronado 9:49.89; Green Valley 9:51.42; Foothill 9:53.26. High jump–Laengle, FH, 5-0; Paulo, CS, 4-10; Hawkins, DS, 4-9. Long jump–Kr. Wharton, Val, 17-4; Garcia, Sil, 16-11; Paulo, CS, 16-4. Discus–Allgood, Leg, 140-10; Blake, PV, 139-11; Jackson, Chey, 132-7.

3200–Bahati, Cla, 9:38.61; Merritt, Cen, 9:45.25; Marschick, AV, 9:48.81. Triple jump–Brown, AV, 44-7; Morant, BG, 44-2½; Davis, Moj, 43-4½. Pole Vault–Stearns, Pmp, 15-6; Leavitt, FL, 13-6; Sprouse, FL, 13-6. Shot put–Cody, Cen, 53-3½; Benham, DO, 49-11; Coleman, AV, 46-3½.

3200 relay–Centennial 9:49.49; Arbor View 9:52.55; Palo Verde 10:05.87. High jump–Beville, Dur, 5-2; M. Johonnot, Cen, 5-0; Sanders, SV, 4-10; K. Johonnot, Cen, 4-10. Long jump–Richard, Cen, 17-4¾; Beville, Dur, 17-0¾; Onyema, FL, 16-8¾. Discus–Wright, Sil, 107-11; Lainhart, Sil, 105-3; Watkins, Eld, 101-4.