Oakdale’s Chappell eyes fourth Sac-Joaquin Section discus title

Oakdale High School senior Hannah Chappell wasn’t pleased with her recent form in the discus.

Mind you, she already led the Sac-Joaquin Section’s early-season rankings, a good sign for someone who’s already claimed three Masters titles and two state medals. Regardless, she said she was in “a little rut” and wasn’t happy about it.

Consider the “rut” history.

Chappell, after an opening sector foul, tossed 146 feet, 7 inches, Friday’s top mark at the fourth annual County Clash. The rest of the section trails her by about 30 feet.

“Other than winning the state title, I’d like to lock down four Masters wins,” said Chappell, who in November signed to attend Alabama. Her Crimson Tide coaches won’t be displeased over her latest effort, which is less than 5 feet shy of her lifetime best of 151-2.

“It was a lot better than I had been throwing. Today was much better,” she admitted. “I just want to make the most of my senior year.”

Chappell’s eye-catching heave kicked off the Clash, the meet featuring the best of Stanislaus and Merced counties. It started in 75-degree warmth, a welcome change from the frigid weather at last week’s Stanislaus County competition in Turlock.

If Chappell keynoted the competition, Golden Valley junior Alexander Salas closed it in style. The meet’s 100-meter champion (10.98 seconds) ran a heroic anchor leg of the 4x400 relay and turned a 15-yard deficit into an impressive win. It took him nearly five minutes to catch his breath.

“I had to go all in,” he said between gasps.

Salas’ performance keyed Golden Valley’s victory in the coed team standings. So did hard-working doubles by teammates Guillermo Rivas in the 1,600 (4:32.66) and 3,200 (9:52.16) and Stephanie Moore in the high jump (5-0) and long jump (15-11).

Pitman senior Kiana Clay took the day off from the 400 – where she qualified for state last year – and scored team points with a victory in the 200 (26.16) and a winning split in the 4x400.

“Last year was the best track season of my life,” Clay said. “I want to get back to that point.”

Clay, competing for possibly the last time this season in the 100, ripped down the track alongside Gregori senior Danielle Drew. They’ve been teammates on youth clubs since they were 8, so this was a friendly competition that Drew won in a quick 12.53. A pulled hamstring slowed Drew as a junior.

“I’ve been preparing so much for this,” she said. “It feels good to be back.”

Clay agreed.

“If I had to lose to anyone, I’m happy it was to Danielle,” she said.

Two former football stars put down markers for the immediate future. Modesto’s Kendall McNair won the 110 hurdles (15.03), and Ceres’ Austin Stiles cleared 6-6 for the win in the high jump. Stiles’ mark is the second best in the section, and McNair’s is No. 3.

Hughson freshmen Emily Fife and Kinsey Langley took home victories, Fife in the 1,600 (5:35.92) and Langley in the 3,200 (12:21.64).

Downey senior Haylee Osgood won the 800 (2:30.74). Modesto sophomore Destiny Tolliver captured the 100 hurdles (15.94).

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 12:52 AM with the headline "Oakdale’s Chappell eyes fourth Sac-Joaquin Section discus title."