BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Two Knights earned top-five finishes at the California Community College Athletic Association State Track and Field Championships over the weekend.
Shasta College sophomore Claire Walton finished fifth in the shot put with her best of six throws coming at a career-high distance of 41 feet, 5 inches. It was up from 38-0.75 at the NorCal championships, and 38-4.75, which won her the Golden Valley Conference title in April. Her second and third-best throws of 40-11.75 and 40-9.75, respectively, would have still earned her fifth place.
"Claire had a great career at Shasta; one that included two consecutive team championships as well as individual championships," said Bryon Hamilton, Shasta College head track and field coach. "She will continue her track and field career at Sacramento State University."
Sophomore Cassie Young was the only Knight to compete in two events at the state championships, taking fifth in the pole vault and eighth in the high jump. Young, who finished second at the state championships last year in the pole vault to earn All-American status, tied for fifth this year at a height of 10-6. She cleared 9-6, 10-0 and 10-6 each on her first attempts but couldn't get 11-0. Young's mark of 10-6 tied her season-best from the American River Beaver Relays in March.
Young tied a season-best in the high jump with a mark of 4-11, which came on her second attempt, and cleared 5-1 on her third and final attempt at that height. But she couldn't reach 5-3.
"Cassie had a great state championship meet and earned medals in both the pole vault and high jump," Hamilton said. "Her career at Shasta includes both All-American and All-State honors in the pole vault. Her achievements and leadership played a huge role in our capturing back-to-back women's GVC championships. She plans to continue her career at Oregon Institute of Technology."
Shasta had two male competitors qualify for the state championships in Justin Hellyer and Cody Beaumont, but Beaumont couldn't compete due to a scheduling conflict, Hamilton said.
Hellyer finished 10th in the javelin, recording his best throw of 167-6 on his second attempt. He fouled on his first attempt, threw 167-6 and then 156-9, missing the finals by 11 inches. The distance of 167-6 was his fifth-best throw of the year.
"Justin finished his wildly successful Shasta College athletic career with a 10th place finish at the state meet," Hamilton said. "I am very proud of Justin and to consider that he started throwing the javelin only four months ago speaks to his work ethic, athleticism and drive. Justin will play football at the College of Idaho and is considering continuing his track and field career there as well."