Muelleck clears hurdles

WOODS CROSS — Stephanie Muelleck had a simple objective going into last week's Davis District Championships. Muelleck, a Viewmont senior, wanted to place first in both the 100 and 300 hurdles.

She nearly swept both events at the Alta Invitational, with only a fall two feet from the finish line in the 300 hurdles impeding her. Her last-second stumble left Muelleck with a second-place finish and an increased determination to come out even stronger at her next meet.

"It was rather painful," Muelleck said, referring to both her fall on the last hurdle and subsequent loss. "I wasn't too worried. It wasn't a really important meet and I knew I would have district (championships) to work (back) up."

Muelleck finally claimed her elusive sweep on the second day of competition at Woods Cross High. She won the 100 in 15.17 seconds and took the 300 with a time of 47.37.

Such a sweep seemed inevitable after Muelleck claimed the 300 hurdles title at the Davis Super Meet and followed with her 100 hurdles victory at Alta.

Muelleck has had no trouble picking up from a year ago, when she won a state title in the 300 hurdles with a time of 44.67 seconds. Hurdling comes easy to Muelleck because it is in her blood.

"I've got my Mom's genes for jumping and my Dad's genes for distance and running," Muelleck said. "That's how it works."

Her latest goal is setting a state record in the 300 hurdles. Ex-Spanish Fork runner Diane Stewart set the current record, 42.56 seconds, in 2005.

UTAHNS SHINE AT ARCADIA: Athletes from several Utah high schools made a big splash in the 41st annual Arcadia Invitational in Los Angeles over the weekend. Ogden, Davis, Judge Memorial, Springville, Cedar, Bountiful and Mountain Crest all sent athletes to the prestigious high school track meet.

Davis senior Bryce Hall and Judge senior Luke Puskedra were both event winners. Hall claimed first in shot put with a throw of 61 feet and 1 inch.

Puskedra earned a victory in the 3,200 meters, finishing in 8 minutes and 46.40 seconds.

Darts junior Candace Eddy finished second in the 1,600 with a time of 4 minutes and 55.98 seconds. Davis teammate Natalie Haws claimed seventh in the 3200, finishing in 10 minutes and 32.91 seconds.