Reed-Custer's Mandac bounces back

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CHARLESTON -- After placing seventh in the 100 high hurdles a year ago, Reed-Custer High School's JeriLyn Mandac had high hopes of capturing another medal in that event.

But those plans were dashed after the senior got off to a poor start and then fell and wound up not finishing the race during Friday's preliminaries at O'Brien Stadium.

Mandac bounced back in a big way, however, by helping the Comets' 800 relay qualify for today's finals and later won her heat in the 300 low hurdles in :47.05 to also assure herself of a medal in both events.

Following Mandac's disappointment in the 100 high hurdles, she helped the Comets post a time of 1:47.43 to win their heat in the 3200 relay relay. Other relay members were Jacklyn Strouse, Ellyn Vanderhyden and Stefanie James.

"I'm upset that I fell in the 100 hurdles," Mandac said. "My goal was to get out of the blocks fast but I guess I went out faster than I usually do and hit the first hurdle and from there it went downhill after I messed up my steps.

"But I took all of my anger out in the 4 x 2 and then I had to pretty much forget about the 100 hurdles so I didn't do it again in the 300 hurdles. It's nice to be able to place here again and it's a nice reward for all of my hard work."

Seneca's Candice Carajohn also qualified in the 300 low hurdles and the triple jump while Dwight's Kolby Hoffman moved on in the long jump.

After advancing in the 300 low hurdles in a time of :47.26, Carajohn could became Seneca's first medalist since 2003.

The Irish junior also was one of the 12 finalists in the triple jump with a qualifying leap of 35-3.75, her personal best.

"I didn't come to state last year and now I'm going to be in the finals," Carajohn said. "I'm so excited right now that I don't know how to show it.

"It's just so exciting to see this track and to be able to run in front of this crowd, it really gets my adrenaline going. All I can say is 'Oh my gosh'".

Hoffman took second place in the long jump a year ago, but admitted that she wasn't in top form on Friday when she turned in a 17-7.25 jump.

The main reason for that is that the sophomore has been battling a quad injury for much of the season and has only competed in a few meets.

"I just couldn't get the that drive that I usually have and I ended up with a 17-7," Hoffman said. "Then the second flight came out and jumped far and 7 or 8 girls finished ahead of me.

"It doesn't help that I was hurt most of the year and I've jumped in only 3 outdoor meets. I wish I could have done better but I jump off the same leg I hurt so it's hard to do your best."

Dwight junior Chloe Trewartha placed seventh in the long jump a year ago but failed to advance to Saturday's finals following a 16-5.5 effort.

Brianna Vigna joined Hoffman and Trewartha on last year's first place 1600 relay and runner-up 400 relay. The trio ran in those two relays again but neither qualified.

Reed-Custer fell one spot shy of advancing in the 3200 relay with a time of 10:19.64. That relay consisted of Kaitlin Walsh, Jen James, Gabby Ording and Vanderhyden.