AUSTINTOWN — The Salem girls track team, led by Rylee Hutton’s school-record long jump, earned runner-up finishes at the Austintown Division II regional meet on Saturday.
The Quakers totaled eight state qualifiers in eight events en route to 55 1/2 points, trailing only Woodridge’s 73 1/2.
Hutton jumped into the Salem record books with a second-place long jump of 17-feet-4 3/4, while Salem junior Kaylee Carlisle was third in the discus with a throw of 119-7.
During her long jump final, Hutton broke Megan Lehwald’s school record of 17-4 set in 2014.
“There were a lot of really talented girls out there,” Salem assistant coach Ty Graham said. “We knew it was going to be tough to get out of that region today — a lot of girls were able to get to 17 feet. Riley was able to hit it a couple of times.”
In fact, Hutton has come within an inch of that record this season alone.
“I’ve been chasing (the school record) all season,” Hutton said. “I came into a meet and jumped 17 feet 3 3/4, so just a quarter of the school record, which really (stinked), but finally to break it at regionals. I guess it’s worth worth the wait.”
Breaking the school record has been made more difficult this season thanks to a nagging hamstring injury.
“He hurt his hamstring later in the season,” Graham said. “So we were a little nervous about what he was going to be able to do, but with such a big meet with such close competition, he was able to pull it off.”
During the long jump, Hutton re-aggravated her hamstring injury, which led to her withdrawing from the 400 dash final after the first lap. Fortunately, Hutton is in good spirits for his third trip to state, but his first state appearance in the long jump.
“Yes, I will try (to compete)” Hutton said. “I’ve run the 400 (dash) and the (1600 relay) at state the last two years, so I’m excited to see what the long jump is like because I’ve never done it before (at state) . I think (my past experiences at state) will help, but it will also be a whole new experience at the same time. I feel like I won’t be as nervous because I know what to expect, but I don’t know what the competition will be like for the long jump.” .
Heading into the upcoming state meet, the jumps just seem to be getting deeper and deeper into the pit.
“I would love to see the podium” Graham said. “I think there’s a girl that jumps 19 feet that’s going to be tough to catch, but we’re going to do some training this week so we can get her in the top three or four. That’s really our goal.”
It only took Carlisle three pitches to launch herself onto the podium and punch her ticket to state, and the best part? She knows she can do better.
“I didn’t do too bad, but not my best,” Carlisle said. “I got third, but I just kept building and kept believing in myself. (Qualifying) means a lot to me. I feel like I have a lot of improvement. I can do some cool things at state. I’m really excited.”
His first pitch landed 114-5 away; his second landed 115-10 outside; and his third throw earned him a podium.
Heading into his trip to Columbus, Carlisle already has his goals planned for the trip.
“At state, I want to throw the puck well,” Carlisle said. “(I want to) place, get on the podium and have fun.”
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