PALO ALTO, Calif. – Sophomore Reyna Johnson broke a 15-year old school record in the 100-meter hurdles twice and freshman Cate Joaquin just missed another record in the 1600 meters as the track and field team posted a second consecutive day of impressive times and marks at the Stanford Invitational.
"I went with the flow in the hurdles and was just trying to get below 15," said Johnson. "I am proud of myself right now."
Johnson won her heat of the 100m hurdles in 14.72 to set a new school record drung the heatsl. She broke alumna Tifani Grimes' school record of 14.82 set at the Delta League Championships in 2004.Grimes was in the stands Saturday.
She returned to run 14.64 to reset her record just hours old in the final, finishing third overall. Senior Serena Shimada ran her personal-best (15.36) in the heats to advance to final, clocking 15.27 in the finals to also run her personal-best for the second time on the day.
"I was not expecting to get in the finals and I did," said Shimada, who also ran two legs in the 4x100m relays during the day. "I am really happy that my hard work is finally paying off."
Freshman Cate Joaquin, who finished third in the 3200 on Friday, came back Saturday to win her heat and place fourth overall in the 1600 meters in 4:48.62, a new personal-best and the second-best performance in school history behind only Peyton Bilo's school record (4:57.02) run at the Meet of Champions in 2015. It was the third fastest time in the event by a freshman this year in the state of California.
"I am really happy," said Joaquin. "I have been working hard all season to set under 5:00. It was very rewarding and to have a teammate with me in the race made it extra special."
Junior Haley Silva was 18th overall in a personal-best 5:08.19.
"I felt really good," said Silva. "I was happy to be in the heat with the fast girls. I was just looking at Cate the whole time. If she can do it, I can do it."
The 4x100-meter relay advanced to the finals with a season-best 49.29, the ninth-fastest time performance in school history and fastest in a non-championship event. Johnson, senior Serena Shimada, senior Chanel Grimes and senior Isabelle Grassel made up the foursome, finishing fifth in the final (49.62).
Junior Isabella Fauria won her heat of the 800 meters and placed seventh overall in 2:14.13 joining Sophie DeBenedetti (21st, 2:24.48) and junior Haley Silva (22nd, 2:26.45) in the field.
"I was ready to get out fast on the first lap and the second lap give it all that I got," said Fauria. "I think I did that very well. The time was not exactly what I wanted but still a good time for early in the season.
Junior Isabella Palchak finished second with a season-best 5-4.25 in the high jump. She opened the meet with clearances at 4-10 and 5-00 before struggling at 5-2 and needing a third attempt.
"The third jump always makes me the most nervous," said Palchak. "After that you are out. I was happy after I got over that one and excited. The next jump was not as bad."
Palchak cleared 5-4 on the first attempt, riding the momentum of her season best but went out at 5-6 with three misses, finishing behind only Aylana Crosby of Lincoln of Stockton (5-6)
"I feel pretty good and it was exciting," said Palchak.
Grassel, who was the anchor on the 4x100m relay, ran in the 100 meters (26th, 12.96) and competed in the long jump (12th, 16-6.5) on Friday.
"My long jump was good," said Grassel. "My form is getting better and my speed down the runway has been more consistent. I was happy with the jumps. They were my second best for the season."
St. Francis returns to action on Wednesday against Cosumnes Oaks and then sends representatives to the Arcadia Invitational next weekend.
"It has been a really good meet," said Fauria. "St. Francis represented really well."
The 4x400m relay completed the meet for the Troubadours in the last event of the day.
Stanford Invitational Results – Palo Alto, Calif.
High Jump - 2. Isabella Palchak, 5-4.25; 1600 Meters - 4. Cate Joaquin, 4:58.62; 18. Haley Silva, 5:08.19; 800 Meters – 7. Isabella Fauria, 2:14.13; 21. Sophie DeBenedetti, 2:24.48; 22. Haley Silva, 2:26.45; 100 Meters - 26. Isabelle Grassel, 12.96; 100m Hurdles – Final – 3. Reyna Johnson, 14.64; 5. Serena Shimada, 15.27. 100m Hurdles – Prelims - 3. Reyna Johnson, 14.72; 7. Serena Shimada, 15.36. x100m Relay – Finals – 5. St. Francis, 49.62; 4x100m Reay – Prelims - 2. St. Francis (Johnson, Grimes, Shimada, Grassel), 49.29. Long Jump (Friday) – 12. Isabelle Grassel, 16-6.5; 4x400m Relay (DeBenedetti, Fauria, Jones, Silva) – 7. St. Francis, 4:01.54.
