DAVIS, Calif. – Sophomore Molly Chambers overcame a broken pole to set her career-best and place second in the pole vault on Thursday as part of four St. Francis vaulters scoring at the Delta League Championships at Davis High School.
"It feels really good,"" said Chambers. "It was an interesting day so it was good that I got a PR."
Chambers snapped her pole on an earlier attempt and rallied to clear additional heights and eventually clear her personal-best at 10-2. She was one of four Troubies to score in the event including juniors Meghan Ladd, Katya Utter and Sasha Utter.
"It kinda scared me because I did not expect that to happen," said Chambers. "I freaked out a little but once I calmed down I got back. It felt really good to make another height."
Chambers joined teammates Reyna Johnson, Serena Shimada and Isabella Palchak to get four SF athletes in the 100m Hurdles final and three in the 100. SF added four in the 800m led by senior Sophie DeBenedetti.
"I felt pretty good about my race," said DeBenedetti, who has signed to run at Northwestern. "My goal was to make sure I qualified (top 2 in each heat plus four). I was able to hold it out and qualify for Friday."
Freshman Kenna de Lemos and senior Chanel Grimes qualified in both the 100 and 200m. Senior Isabelle Grassel advanced in the 100m and scored in the triple jump. She will also compete in the long jump.
Senior Serena Shimada was a double qualifier in the hurdle events.
The Troubadours scored 42.5 points in four finals on Thursday to sit in second place behind Davis (77.50) entering the finals on Friday. St. Francis advanced 16 varsity athletes into finals from the prelims in addition to the Friday field events, relays and 1600m finals.
Senior Sarah Healey added points in the discus with her sixth place finish.
The biggest event came in the last event for SF as the Troubadours added 21 points in the 3200m. Freshmen Cate Joaquin and Tatiana Cornejo went 1-2 with junior Isabella Fauria and sophomore Hanna Hekkanan adding top-eight finishes.
"It is really good to get some points," said Cornejo. "We want to do our best here."
Field events start at 3 p.m. on Friday with running events starting at 67 p.m. Results can be found online at Red Cap Timing.
St. Francis will be looking to win their first league title since 2015. St. Francis also sits in second in the Frosh/Soph meet with 42.50 points behind Davis (51.50). The Troubies have several top seeds advance from finals including Grace Heisinger (400m, 300m hurdles), Gabriela McGahan (100m) and Nora Smith (800m).
Freshman Emily Castles won the Frosh/Soph 3200m in 11:50.90 with teammates Cclaire Silva and Smith completing the sweep.
2019 Delta League Varsity Trials (Finals Qualifiers)
100m Hurdles – 1. Reyna Johnson, 14.86; 2. Serena Shimada, 15.33; 4. Isabella Palchak, 15.92; 8. Molly Chambers, 17.35; 400m – 8. Alexys Jones, 1:03.88; 100m – 3. Kenna de Lemos, 12.71; 5. Isabelle Grassel, 12.72; 6. Chanel Grimes, 12.82; 800m – 3. Sophie DeBenedetti, 2:21.63; 4. Isabella Fauria, 2:26.62; 6. Haley Silva, 2:22.21; 8. Hanna Hekkanen, 2:27.36; 10. Grace Harrison, 2:26.45; 300m Hurdles – 1. Serena Shimada, 47.14; 200m – 6. Kenna de Lemos, 26.82; 7. Chanel Grimes, 26.88.
Varsity Team Results
1. Davis 77.50; 2. St. Francis 42.50; 3. Cosumnes Oaks, 14; 4. Elk Grove 11; 5. Franklin 7; 6. Pleasant Grove 4.
2019 Delta League Varsity Finals
3200m – 1. Cate Joaquin, 10:57.98; 2. Tatiana Cornejo, 11:11.27; 7. Isabella Fauria, 11:47.58; 8. Hanna Hekkanan, 11:50.45; Pole Vault – 2. Molly Chambers, 10-2; 4. Meghan Ladd, 9-2; 7. Katya Utter, 9-2; Sasha Utter, 8-8;. Triple Jump – 6. Isabelle Grassel, 32-6; Discus – 6. Sarah Healey, 84-1.5.
