Track & Field: 13 events decided at the Willie Williams Classic

March 20, 2015 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Flowing Wells senior Hailey Merriman.
(Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

Session two of the Willie Williams Track & Field Classic is in the books and 13 high school events were decided along with the prelims of several running and relay events.  A few college events were also decided at the University of Arizona Drachman Stadium because the meet is composed of both high school and collegiate competition.

Runners from Texas swept the boy's and girls 1,600 meters and took first in the boy's 800 and the girl's discus throw.

Catalina Foothills standout Sarah Lansey took first in the 800 (2:25.50) while distance runners Bridgette Doucet of Canyon Del Oro (11:12.56) and Nathan Thomas of Salpointe (9:43.35) won the 3,200 meter races.

Flowing Wells senior Hailey Merriman set a personal record in the pole vault with a final mark of 11 feet.

"This is my first invitational of the season and I came in with butterflies," Merriman explained. "Coach told me to just swing for the top and I thought I was jumping 10-6. My previous record was 10-9 but when I landed they told me to look at the board and it said 11 feet."

Already past her competition, keeping the new height a secret probably helped Merriman reach a new goal. "I'm not sure I would have made it had I known," she added.

"It was definitely a mind trick but now I know I am capable of more."

Bisbee's Tony Chavez won the boy's pole vault (13-06) and Buena's William Partridge won the shot put (57-06.75).

Marana Mountain View's Hannah Bartz won the long jump (18-00.50) as did Tucson High standout Lawrence Wallace (22-11.50).

Finally, Ana Lopez of Tucson won the high jump (5-02).

The rest of the races and field events will be decided on Saturday.