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One Rockbridge County High School indoor track and field athlete, freshman Ariana Mitchell, advances to the Class 3 state meet in the girls’ high jump, while sophomore teammate Celia Jones concluded her season at the Region 3C meet on Saturday at Edward S. Long Track in Rockingham County.
Competing at Rockingham County’s new indoor recreation center facility in Rockingham Park at the Crossroads in Penn Laird, Mitchell tied two Western Albemarle jumpers for sixth place, clearing 4 feet, 6 inches. Heritage’s Briyonna Tune won the high jump, clearing 5-2. 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.
“It is a great accomplishment to qualify as a freshman for states,” said RC head coach Jennifer Showalter.
In addition to those qualified by time or distance, the top three individuals and top three relay teams advanced to the Class 3 state meet.
Jones placed 11th in the girls’ 55-meter hurdles in 10.38 seconds. Liberty Christian Academy’s Kona Moore won the event in 8.46 seconds. At last year’s regional meet, Jones placed seventh in the 55-meter hurdles and came in 19th in the 55-meter dash. Showalter said Jones has had “consistent” times in the 55meter hurdles, and the RC coach is “excited to see her improve and compete in outdoor track.”
In the team standings, with just two girls competing, the Wildcats scored 0.33 points to place 14th of 14 scoring teams. Heritage defended its title with 107 points, Spotswood (91) placed second, and Western Albemarle (73.66) finished third. Rounding out the top five were LCA (47) and Brookville (42).
No RC boys qualified for the Region 3C meet. The Class 3 state meet will take place next Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4 at Liberty University in Lynchburg. Showalter said she is looking for Mitchell “to do well overall. It will be a warm week to get a lot of practice this coming week.”
