CHS athletes in top ten at state

By Sandy Anderberg

Three Clarendon High School athletes earned the right to compete in the State Track Meet in Austin last weekend, and they all represented their school and community well, finishing in the top ten of their events.

Charles Mason is the fifth best long jumper in the state as he went a distance of 21’5¼” on his second attempt. Track coach Johnny Nino had a lot of praise for the junior’s comeback.

“I was very proud of what he accomplished this year and what he did at the meet this past weekend,” Nino said. “He pulled his hamstring in the first meet of the year and didn’t jump again until district.”

Mason jumped over twenty-two feet earlier in the season that earned him the right to participate in the state meet.

Abby Johnson ran the 400-meter dash and finished seventh with a time of 1:01.74. The first place time was just over fifty-eight seconds. Johnson is also a junior and will be back to try again next year.

Senior Sarah Luttrell has proved herself as a great sprinter throughout her high school career and competed in the 100-meter dash a state. Luttrell finished a respectable eighth place in that event with a time of 12.85. The winning time posted was 11.51.

Both Lady Broncos had a stellar year running track and competed in several other races, including relays. Luttrell has been instrumental in the Lady Broncos’ success the last four years and will be greatly missed next year. Coach Alton Gaines realizes the impact both of these athletics have had on the track program.

“I’m so proud of these two young ladies,” Gaines said. “Just to be a part of the best nine in the state in your event in division 1A is big time.”