Pioneers’ Robinson shines in Las Vegas Track Classic

It’s difficult to stand out in a field of 840 athletes.

Canyon Springs junior Courtney Robinson made it look easy Saturday.

Robinson won both hurdles events and was a part of two winning relay teams en route to earning Outstanding Female Track Athlete honors at the Las Vegas Track Classic at Desert Oasis.

Robinson, who sat out last season after transferring to Canyon Springs, won the 100-meter hurdles in a meet-record 14.81 seconds and followed it up with a victory in the 300 hurdles in 44.79.

“It was a huge PR (personal record),” Robinson said of her times in both races. “I’m trying to win state. I want to break the state record.”

She put many of the state’s best hurdlers on notice, while also helping Canyon Springs’ 400 relay team win in 49.85 and an 800 relay victory in 1:42.85.

“The best is yet to come,” said Sam Germany, Robinson’s hurdles coach. “She qualified for state as a freshman. This year she came back, and she is really focused. Those were good marks, really good marks, she put up today.”

Robinson wasn’t the only athlete to shine in the 35-team field.

Liberty’s Ashlie Blake set a meet record in the discus, clobbering the rest of the field, and Desert Oasis’ Tanner Fulmer set a meet record in the pole vault. Both were named the Field Athletes of the meet.

Blake had a mark of 46 feet, 9½ inches in the shot put and 149-9 in the discus. Her winning toss in the shot put was nearly 13 feet farther than the runner-up. In the discus, the second-place mark was 107-0.

Yet, Blake’s throws were short of the 49-1 mark she put up in the shot put and 151-3 heave she had in the discus Friday during the sophomore throws part of the meet.

“Forty-nine-one is not quite a PR, but we’re getting there,” Blake said. “(Friday) was a good warmup for today. I’m looking for 50 (feet) in the shot put.”

According to dyestat.com, Blake’s effort of 49-1 in the shot put is the No. 3 mark in the country this season by a high school athlete. Her 151-3 throw in the discus ranks fifth nationally.

“The rust is starting to come off her,” said Tim Cagle, Blake’s throws coach. “We’re starting to get the numbers we’re looking for. She’s feeling good; that’s what it’s all about. She’s happy and healthy right now.”

Fulmer became the first vaulter in Nevada this season to surpass 15 feet, clearing 15-2 and setting a personal best.

“I’m pretty excited about today,” Fulmer said. “I was on a pole I’d never been on before. I’m really looking forward to jumping against Nick Maestretti from Reno (defending state champion). He’s my competition.”

Fulmer and his coach are hoping Saturday was just a starting point.

“He had a great day” said Steve Fulmer, Tanner’s vault coach and father. “He’s at the right stage, right now, at this time of the season. He’s started out good and strong. We’re working on mechanics, and he’s looking like he can do 16 (feet) this year.”

Other double winners Saturday included James Linde of the Coquitlam (Canada) Cheetahs, who won the boys 100 and 200 meters, and Bailey Blackhurst of Doherty (Colo.), who won the girls 1,500 and 3,000 meters.