In the first meet of her high school career, Rockbridge County High School freshman Ariana Mitchell qualified by height for the Class 3 state indoor track and field meet in the girls’ high jump. She was among the RC girls indoor track and field team members who participated in a meet last Wednesday at Fork Union Military Academy.
Competing at the Estes Athletic Center, Mitchell cleared 5 feet to tie Mecklenburg sophomore Madison Oliver for second place. They trailed only the winner, Western Albemarle senior Caroline Pearson, who won by clearing 5 feet, 2 inches. The state-qualifying mark is 4-10.
RC head coach Jennifer Showalter said Mitchell “had a great start to her season.” Mitchell also had an impressive performance in the 55-meter dash, placing 12th in 8.05 seconds.
Sophomore teammate Celia Jones ran well in both of her sprints. In her first time competing in the 300-meter dash, Jones recorded a time of 49.97. She finished 13th in the 55-meter dash in 8.08 seconds. Also competing in the girls’ 55-meter dash was RC freshman Harper Bruno, coming in 37th in 9.55 seconds.
The RC girls placed 11th in the 4 X 200-meter relay. Team members were Jones, Bruno, Mitchell and freshman Elle Werner.
In the girls’ shot put, RC sophomore Cate Wilson finished 21st with a toss of 20-9.
The Wildcats’ lone boy, sophomore Fin Looney, came in 32nd in the shot put with a throw of 23-8.
After the holiday break, the Wildcats will compete at the Heritage Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 4 at Heritage High School in Lynchburg, starting with field events at 8:30 a.m.