LAKEWOOD — Sometimes track competitions can come down to mere inches. Nahia Kelley, a sensational senior for Wiggins, knows that all too well.
“That 200 finish was amazing,” her coach, Mario Garcia, said after Kelley won the event by one-one hundredths of a second over Buena Vista’s Mindy Griggs. “I think that’s what got us the team title. She was in second place and she managed to get a lean at the end. That’s the difference. I’m going to miss her.”
By the narrowest of margins, Wiggins (69 points) won the 2A team crown over Heritage Christian (68.5). It was the Tigers’ first girls track and field title in program history and first in the sport in awhile.
“It’s been a goal of mine,” Garcia said. “I won a boys title (in 2007). I knew since they were in fifth and sixth grade, that we had a good group coming up. I’ve been following them. I’ve been trying pretty hard to at least get a second or a first for the girls. You can coach for 30 years, 40 years and not have a state championship. I’m just humbled to be a part of this team.”
But, Wiggins only led by 2.5 points heading into the final event, the 4x400 Relay. By finishing seventh, and with HCA earning fifth, they held on for the win. Garcia was on pins and needles.
“I was praying a little bit and hoping we performed,” he said of the relay. “We got a little help and we managed to get it done. That’s all that matters. I’m very relieved. I was pretty stressed out most of the day, so I’m relieved now.”
Wiggins also had help in the throwing events as Brooke Schmidt swept the gold medals in Shot Put and Discus.
“She stepped it up big time,” Garcia said of Schmidt. “She struggled a little bit in Shot, but in the end she came through and got the win. My other thrower, Terrah Fitzimmons, she had PRs in Shot Put and Discus. Between those two girls, we had 30 points.”
Schmidt did her part, as did Kelley. She was the silver medalist last year in the 400, but won the event in 57.92 on Saturday. She earned 10 more critical points for her team.
“I knew what it was like to get second,” she said. “I never wanted to experience that again. I was confident, but I was also prepared.”
The senior displayed a veteran gameplan for the race.
“I usually have the same race method,” Kelley said. “I get out pretty hard the first 100, coast the next 150, and that last 150 is whatever I have left. I’m so happy my coach taught me that, because I used to just sprint the whole thing and it was terrible.”
Kelley was a member of the silver medalist 4x200 Relay on Friday. She also added to the scoring in the 100 (5th). In total, she racked up 25 points by herself. But, Kelley gave credit to the Wiggins’ staff.
“We have great coaches,” she said. “My high school coach, he’s been there pushing me. He’s been doing that for the entire team.”
In other 2A action, Sara Christensen (Thomas McLaren) won the 100 Hurdles in 15.12 seconds.
Mehlea Ritschard (Golden View Classical) was the sprint queen of the 100 (12.48).
Braylee Foster of Hoehne leapt the highest in High Jump (5 feet, 3 inches).
Jessica Black of Cedaredge (5:14.49) won the four-lapper (1600 meters). She had enough energy to still claim the 300 title, as well, in 44.12.
Kailey Pearson (Swallows Charter Academy) earned the Long Jump gold medal with a mark of 17 feet, 4.5 inches.
Limon won the 4x400 in 4:03.99.