The Placer High Girls Varsity track team wins back-to-back Division III Championship Thursday evening at Modesto Junior College, collecting 72 points to Eldorado’s 56. Following Tuesdays solid performances, the Hillgals maintained their momentum on the track. Sophomore Shannon Harcus repeated her Division III title in the 1600m with a time of 5:19.49 and placed third in the 3200m (12:00.47). Senior Jordan Burke took second in the 1600m (5:29.5) and 3200m (11:48.0) events.

The evening started out well for the girls by placing 2nd in the 4x100m relay (Kelsey Lardner, Dylan Swisley, Kaci Knighton and Tawny Lambuth) in 51.48 and ended the track meet with a season best time of 4:07.9 to place 3rd in the 4x400m relay (Lisa Reese, Laura Byrd, Thea Hardy and Kayla Reeves). Other key performances for the Varsity girls were turned in by Kaci Knighton, 4th in the Triple Jump (33’ 6.5”); Dylan Swisley, 4th in the 100m Hurdles (seasons best time of 16.07); Tawny Lambuth, 5th in the 100m (12.97) and 6th in the 200m (26.76); and Hannah Peterson, 6th in the 800m (2:27.65).

Eldorado’s Sami Hawkins made a concerted effort to hold off the Placer team by placing 3rd in the 400m, 5th in the 800m and anchoring the winning 4x400m relay team. Central Valley’s Latrisha Jordan also had an outstanding day winning the 300m Hurdles in a fast 43.44 and placed 2nd in the 100m Hurdles.

Placer’s Varsity Boys team rebounded from a difficult day Tuesday to finish third (37 points) behind a strong Sierra team (63) and Oakdale (50). Derrick Hinch won the Pole Vault at 14’ and went for a meet record at 15’ 7” in his final three jumps. In the relay events the Hillmen ran a 43.97 in the 4x100m to place 4th (Bruno Gotzmer, Asher Gotzmer, Seth Parrish and Matt Freie) and ran a seasons best 3:25.5 in the 4x400m to place 3rd (Asher Gotzmer (52.0), Max Halvorsen (51.5), Nick Kenoyer (51.9) and Bruno Gotzmer (50.1).

In other running events with Placer High athletes: Tomas Evangelista ran a seasons best 9:55.7 to place 2nd ; Bryce Peterson placed 4th in the 300m hurdles (40.2) and ran a seasons best 15.6 in the 110m hurdle to place 8th; Lucas Stancliff ran a 2:02.24 800m to place 4th; and Matt Freie ran a competitive 11.26 to place 6th in the 100m in a very strong field.

In the field events, Placers discus duo of Caleb Cartwright (128’ 10”)and Tony Mangino (127’ 11”) placed 10th and 11th respectively. Bailey Bill cleared 4’ 6” for a 10th place showing and Matt Freie jumped 5’ 8” on Tuesday for tie for 9th place. Also on Tuesday Dylan Swisley cleared 11’ 0” (a personal best) to place third, not the 11” 6” as previously reported.

Team Scores:

Boys – Sierra (63), Oakdale (50), Placer (37), Riverbank (34), East Union (30) and River City (30).

Girls – Placer (72), Eldorado (56), Oakdale (39 ½), Modesto Christian (33), Bret Harte (32), Central Valley (28).

PLACER HIGH QUALIFIERS for next weeks Sacramento Masters Invitational:

Girls: Jordan Burke (1600m & 3200m), Shannon Harcus (1600m & 3200m), Kaci Knighton (Triple Jump), Tawny Lambuth (Pole Vault, 100m & 200m), Hannah Peterson (800m), Dylan Swisley (Pole Vault, 100m Hurdles), 4x100m Relay team (Kelsey Lardner, Swisley, Knighton & Lambuth), 4x400m Relay team (Lisa Reese, Laura Byrd, Thea Hardy & Kayla Reeves).

Boys: Tomas Evangelista (3200m), Matt Freie (100m), Derrick Hinch (Pole Vault), Bryce Peterson (300m Hurdles), 4x400m Relay team (Asher Gotzmer, Max Halvorsen, Nick Kenoyer & Bruno Gotzmer).

Congratulations Girls for your Division III Championship and great job Boys, placing 3rd. It has been a terrific season for the Placer High athletes and Coaches. Good luck to those running in next weeks Masters event.