From Deseret News archives:
Hurdle and high jump records fall
Prep athletes tune up for state at Davis meet
Strauss set a new 5A state record in the 100-meter hurdles, and Heiner tied the 5A state record in the high jump, to highlight performances at Utah's oldest continuing track and field invite.
Strauss, an Alta senior and already the state's top hurdler who signed a letter of intent just last week to compete for Utah State next year, demolished the field of invited runners in the 100 meter hurdles with a blistering time of 14.52 seconds. She was hoping to do the same in the 300 hurdles an hour later but just missed the mark in winning at 44.45 seconds.
"I felt really good today, and I love this track, so I thought maybe both records were within reach," she said.
Strauss had only a 10-minute break between the finals in the medley relay and the start of the 300 meter hurdles, and it took its toll in the final 80 meters. Still, her effort indicates a strong possibility of her getting the state mark next weekend at the BYU Invitational.
Heiner, a junior at Viewmont, tied the state 5A high jump record with a leap of 6 feet 10 inches, easily topping his previous personal best of 6-9.
"It was great to finally get past that 6-9 mark," he said. "It felt good today from the very beginning."
Heiner had passed up to 6-2, his opening height, and when he cleared the state mark, it appeared he was another two inches above the bar. That would have made his jump 7-0. As it is, his 6-10-plus jump Saturday is the best high jump effort in Utah this year, including at any collegiate meet.
The Davis High Invitational gives elite athletes a chance to improve personal bests. A morning open session was held for non-invited athletes, although two athletes chose to run their events in the morning.
Alta's Dan Hutson won the 400 meters in 48.02, besting Roy's Chris Carter at 48.22. Hutson reaggravated a quad injury and didn't compete in the invited 800 meters in the afternoon. Taylorsville's Shawnee Slade also missed the meet due to an injury. Both Hutson and Slade have already qualified for state in their specialties.
While Strauss and Heiner were earning trophies for top performances, the top performer awards went to Northridge distance star Stacie Lifferth, who's also headed to Utah State next fall, and Taylorsville's Sok Nhim. Lifferth captured first place in both the 800 and 1,600, as well as anchoring the Knights' winning 1,600-meter relay team. Nhim took firsts in 100 and 200 and the long jump.
Other top performances Saturday included Ryan Spencer of Davis in the shot put, winning at 56-3 1/2; Layton's Braden Godfrey with a win at 15.07 in the 110 hurdles; Bingham's Kevin Beisinger with a 49.22 time in the 400; Nick Clifford of Northridge in the 300 hurdles at 38.93; and Jordan's Jared Bienlein with a 9:39.47 time in the 3,200.
Weber's Kathryn Sevy won the girls' long jump at 17-0, Sarah Butler of Alta took first in the javelin at 130-3, Viewmont's Nicole Farnsworth won the discus at 143-4, Elaine Connolly of Viewmont took the 400 at 58.12 and Jordan's Erin Fuller won the 3,200 in a time of 11:40.5.
Track athletes will compete at the BYU Invitational next Friday and Saturday (1A3A schools on Friday, 4A and 5A on Saturday), then compete in regional championships the week following. The state championships will be held at BYU May 14 and 15.
