At the midpoint of a highly competitive track season, Rincon/University offered some fun for seven high school teams from the Tucson and Phoenix areas.
The day featured a relay format, including the hurdles and field events. For some, the meet was also an opportunity to qualify for the state track meet in May.
"It's not a normal meet, but all of the events are national events and all of the field events are state qualifiers," said Rangers coach John Copeland. "It's a good chance for athletes because it's more fun."
The shuttle hurdle relay showcased the first and third runners from each team running in the opposite direction of their teammates.
While this format was designed with the safety of the runners in mind, many athletes not familiar with the event found it a little disorienting.
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Sahuaro's Jocelyn Smith, whose run gave the Cougars a dominant lead, said even though she participated last year, the race was an adjustment.
Despite the awkwardness of the event, Smith said she had faith in her team, adding she knew they would win because of fellow senior Kalena Scott, whom she credited as the team's best hurdler.
"I've never done that race before, and I was a little iffy on how we'd do," Scott said. "But I kinda had faith that if we got behind, Jocelyn would catch us up."
Smith also ran the 1,600-meter medley relay, comprised of two 200-meter sprints, a 400 and an 800. Her team won with a time of 4 minutes 25.14 seconds, breaking the previous record of 4:25.8 set by Cholla in 2001.
The Rio Rico boys 1,600 medley relay team maintained control of its race and lapped other competitors, winning in 3:43.13
"Coach told us that, if we lap someone, to think of them as a runner who was about to beat us," sophomore Omar Hernandez said. "It was fun and this is a very good meet to come to. More teams should show."
In the girl's pole vault, Rincon's Amanda Dionne, cleared 10 feet 3 inches and led her relay team to victory. Dionne's vault was nine inches above the state qualifying mark of 9-6.
Field events combined the distances of three athletes from each team to determine a winner.
The athletes all agreed that the meet was first and foremost about enjoying your teammates while competing.
"It's something we really have fun with and it's a race for everyone to really compete," said Rincon's Ashley Chirco.
"Team sports are the best, and coming out and winning and playing with your team is the best."
