Carson girls track have (mostly) up and down day

It figured that everything had to go just right for the Carson High girls track team to make a run for the NIAA 4A State title.

While the Senator girls still had a solid day overall, their run at a state title took a hit at the Northern 4A qualifying meet on Saturday at Damonte Ranch. The zone meet will be held this Saturday at Damonte Ranch.

Kayla Sanchez and Andrea Keirstead both qualified in four events for next week's zone meet while Christy Works qualified with the fastest time in the 400 meters. But Carson also failed to qualify in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, which will hurt its chances of making a run at a state title.

The Senators were hurt by injuries as Brandi Vega ran with a hip flexor and Emily Field was unable to compete. Without those two, Carson just missed qualifying in the 4x100.

The Senators dropped the baton in the 4x200. Vega also just missed qualifying in the 200.

Carson coach Todd Ackerman said his team will be hard pressed now to make a run at the state title. He also said Reno High will be the overwhelming favorite to win next week's zone meet.

"We needed a lot of luck," said Ackerman about winning state. "I'm not going to throw it totally out the window but it will be difficult for us."

Keirstead had an outstanding meet for Carson, finishing with the fastest qualifying time in the 200 at 25.78 seconds while Sanchez was second in 25.82. Vega just missed qualifying, finishing ninth in 26.88. The eighth and final qualifying time was 26.74.

Keirstead and Hug's Kereiona Johnson put on another show in the 100 hurdles. Johnson had the fastest time at 14.97 while Keirstead had the second fastest time at 15.05.

In the 100, Sanchez qualified with the fastest time at 12.44 while Keirstead was second at 12.53. Vega qualified seventh at 13.06. Works qualified in the fastest time in the 400 at 59.89.

In the 300 hurdles, Sanchez and Keirstead both safely qualified and Sanchez also qualified in the long jump. The girls 4x400 relay qualified with the second fastest time at 4:10.06. McQueen had the fastest time at 4:08.03.

For the boys, Chad Shroy safely qualified in the 800 and 1,600, Shephard Darquea and MIke Arnold safely qualified in the pole vault and Carson qualified in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays.