Hickey adds another record at San Diego Prelims

 

Alysah Hickey added another record to her legacy on Saturday at the San Diego Prelims. (Clark Kranz/file)


SAN DIEGO -- Coronado's Alysah Hickey took down a Gail Devers record but she still has one to go.

The Islanders senior, who will compete at the University of Oregon in the fall, used the San Diego Section prelims Saturday at Mt. Carmel High where she took just three attempts in the long jump and exceeded 19-feet each time.

Her two best attempts-19-10.50 and 19-09-were superior to the 19-06.50 meet record set by Devers, the Olympic multi-time gold-medalist who reached 19-06.50 in her junior season at National City's Sweetwater High in 1983.

That leaves only Devers' 20-08 section record for Hickey, the defending state champion, to break. She has bettered 20-feet five times this season. 

"That's perfect because I'm checking it (the meet record) off my list," said Hickey who also led all qualifiers in the high jump at 5-04 after dropping the 100-meter dash following the City League championships a week ago. "I'll have a lot better chance when the weather is nice."

Hickey, like all the girls who compete mid-day and are followed by the boys, was challenged by a steady rain making jumping a bit treacherous. 

"No, I didn't know what the meet record was before I jumped," admitted Hickey. "Now I can just focus on the high jump and long jump."

Hickey is the state leader with a wind-legal 20-02 in the long jump and 5-10.50 in the high jump.

SCRIPPS RANCH RELAY HEALTHY

Early in the season, Scripps Ranch twice went under 47 seconds in the girls 4x100 relay with a best of 46.95. The Falcons, still No. 2 in California, were en route to stunning Long Beach Poly in the Mt. Carmel Invitational when anchor runner, Aubree Bell, pulled up.

By the season's midpoint, only two of the original four -- Jaymie Rustkovich and Brianna Sproles -- were able to compete. Bell returned two weeks ago and freshman Aaliyah McCormick will rejoin the team for the section finals.

 That gained significance when state No. 1 Calabasas was disqualified for two athletes entering too many events at the league championships.

"We're excited (to have the original team back)," said Rustkovich. "We need to have the right mindset but it was an amazing feeling to be No. 1 at the start of the season and we're looking forward to having a fast time.

"We like the thrill of championship meets. It'll be fun."

Scripps Ranch led all qualifiers at 47.54 with half-miler Julia Morales leading off. Morales, a state finalist last year, qualified easily in the 800 at 2:15.52 and now can focus on that event.

Falcons coach Michelle Sproles, the wife of NFL football player Darren Sproles, said she likes her team's chances next week but if they qualify for state, they'll need to make a major impression.

"I guess no matter who wins they'll be followed by the statement, 'but Calabasas didn't run,' " she said. "We know mistakes can happen and wish they were there."

CALLAHAN TOPS 13-FEET

Rancho Bernardo soph Ashley Callahan cleared 13-feet in the pole vault and then took three attempts at a section-record 13-07, but came down on top of the bar on her closest miss.

 The Poway trio of Camryn Thomson (12-06), Mia Cervantes (12-00) and Katerina Adamiec (12-00) all easily advanced.