Mariner’s Anderson captures state title
During this year’s LCAC Track and Field Meet at Island Coast, Mariner senior Courtney Anderson already had claimed first place in the high jump with a school record and personal-best jump of 5-8 1/2 but continued her pursuit.
Her three tries at the next height, 5-10, went unsuccessful but the last attempt was important. She had good technique but at the last second, the horizontal bar rattled off.
Anderson went back to work with the belief she could reach the next height and delivered at the right time Saturday at the FHSAA Class 4A Track and Field Finals at Winter Park.
Anderson, competing in the state finals for the fourth time, captured the state title by clearing 5-10.
“I just have to keep working on it,” Anderson said following the LCAC Meet on March 30. “If I get the right steps I know I can do it.”
The 5-foot-6 Anderson, who has signed with the University of South Florida, capped off her high school career in style.
She finished fourth, third and second in her three previous trips to the state finals and has won three regional titles and four district titles.
Last year’s champion Maya Pressley of Coconut Creek jumped 5-8 to finish in second place.
Also at Saturday’s 4A meet, Mariner junior Andrew Dukas fell one spot shy of reaching the finals in the 400. He clocked 50.17 in the prelims, putting him in the ninth spot. The top eight advanced to the finals.
Cape Coral reached state for the second straight year in two relays. The Seahawks reached the finals in the 4×400 relay and finished sixth.
North Fort Myers junior Stephanie Nevadunsky competed in the 300 hurdles but was unable to qualify for the finals.