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Rockbridge County High School freshman Ariana Mitchell and sophomore Celia Jones advanced to the Region 3C meet after producing strong performances in the Valley District meet on Saturday at Edward S. Long Track at Rockingham County’s new indoor recreation center facility in Rockingham Park at the Crossroads.
Mitchell tied Harrisonburg’s Penny Brett for second place in the girls’ high jump, clearing 4 feet, 6 inches. East Rockingham’s Adeline Douglas won, clearing 4-10. Mitchell had already qualified for the Class 3 state meet by clearing 5 feet in the high jump in the first meet of the season in December. She also competed in the 55-meter dash, placing 11th in 8.04 seconds.
Jones advanced in the girls’ 55-meter hurdles, placing third in 10.36 seconds. ER’s Shanna Robertson won in 9.34 seconds, and Harrisonburg’s Mariah Etienne placed second in 9.85 seconds.
In addition to those qualified by time or distance, the top six individuals and top three relay teams advanced to the Region 3C meet. For qualifying purposes, because they are in different regions than the rest of the Valley District teams, Harrisonburg and William Monroe individuals and relay teams were removed from the results.
Concluding her season in the girls’ shot put was RC sophomore Cate Wilson, finishing ninth with a season-best toss of 22 feet, 6 inches.
The lone RC boy competing was sophomore Finbar Looney, who placed 12th in the shot put with a throw of 253.5, about a foot shy of his personal record.
In the team standings, with just three girls competing, the Wildcats placed sixth of eight teams, scoring 13 points. Spotswood won with 186 points, Turner Ashby (75) placed second, and ER (73) finished third. Rounding out the standings were Harrisonburg (58), Broadway (28), RC, William Monroe (10) and Rocktown (9).
RC did not record a score in the boys’ results. Broadway (147) won the boys’ meet, Spotswood (76) placed second and Rocktown (69) finished third.
Mitchell and Jones will return to Edward S. Long Track on Saturday to compete in the Region 3C meet. Jones will attempt to join Mitchell in advancing to the Class 3 state meet, which is scheduled for March 3 or 4 at Liberty University, by time or by placing in the top three.
RC head coach Jennifer Showalter said she’s “hoping to get in some good practices before the next snowstorm hits this week.”
