Jackrabbits have just enough to hold off record-setting Davis

Augustine sweeps 100 and 200 for Long Beach Poly, Norco's Anderson completes historic 300 hurdles-400 double and Agoura's Davis runs fastest prep hurdles ever under all conditions, along with setting state long jump record

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Of all Tara Davis' appearances at the state meet, the final one was the most impressive for the Agoura senior.

Of any Long Beach Poly state title, this one was the most improbable.

In the end Saturday, even Davis' exceptional triple -- becoming the sixth female athlete to win three individual titles in one state final -- couldn't overcome three girls from Long Beach Poly at Buchanan High's Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Ariyonna Augustine swept the 100- and 200-meter titles, Zhane Smith placed third in the long jump and fifth in the triple jump, with Melissa Tanaka scoring a crucial point by finishing eighth in the 800 to lift Long Beach Poly to a 31-30 victory over Agoura, adding to the Jackrabbits' state record with their 15th championship.

It was also a historic final for Norco senior Shae Anderson, who became the first female to win the 300 hurdles and 400 in the same state final. Only Mills' Leslie Maxie had ever won both championships in her career.

Davis, Augustine and Anderson combined for seven titles, accounting for half the girls individual gold medals.

Davis ran a wind-aided 12.83 seconds in the girls 100 hurdles, the fastest prep time ever produced under all conditions. El Cerrito senior Kaylah Robinson placed second in 12.98, increasing the number to seven high school individuals who have run under 13 seconds, including four in the past two years with Tia Jones of George Walton Comprehensive GA and Chanel Brissett of Cheltenham PA.

Davis also the state long jump record with her wind-legal leap in the third round of 22 feet, 1 inch (6.73m) and added a wind-aided effort of 22-1.25 on her final attempt, giving her four jumps beyond 22 feet in the past three weeks.

Davis, who finished second last year with 28 points after winning the 100 hurdles and triple jump, completed her trifecta by winning the triple jump with a wind-aided fourth-round leap of 42-11.75 (13.10m). Davis jumped a personal-best 43-4 (13.20m) in Friday's prelims.

The Georgia signee joined Thousand Oaks' Marion Jones, Woodside's Wendy Brown, Chino's Angela Williams, Mt. Pleasant's Vashti Thomas and Clovis' Jenna Prandini as the only female athletes to win three individual state titles at the same final.

Anderson won the 400 in 52.91 and the 300 hurdles in 40.31, edging defending champion Jurnee Woodward of Vacaville (40.79) and Mira Costa's Shante Robinson (40.84) in the first state final to have three individuals run under 41 seconds. Maxie won the 400 in 1983 and the 300 hurdles in 1984-85.

Augustine ran a wind-legal 11.58 in the 100 and a wind-aided 23.41 in the 200 to become the first sprinter to sweep both titles since former Rio Mesa standout and USC freshman Zaria Francis in 2015. She followed former Long Beach Poly talent and Oregon star Ariana Washington, who swept both championships from 2012-14.

Smith had a long jump of 19-6.75 and triple jumped 39-10 to secure an additional 10 points for the Jackrabbits, with Tanaka clocking 2:12.03 in the 800 to score the deciding point.

In the same race, California junior Alyssa Brewer repeated as 800 champion in 2:07.07, holding off Del Oro junior Cathilyn McIntosh in 2:07.62.

Anaheim Canyon senior Rachel Baxter also defended her title, securing 14 feet again in the girls pole vault. Baxter holds the state record at 14-4 (4.36m) and the meet record at 14-2 (4.31m).

Oak Ridge junior Maddy Denner won the girls 1,600 in 4:44.89 and placed second in the 3,200 in 10:19.18, with sister Elena Denner fourth in 10:21.44. Junior Olivia O'Keeffe of Davis Senior, third last year in the 1,600 and the defending Division 1 state cross country champion, placed second in 4:51.02.

Malibu sophomore Claudia Lane won the 3,200 in 10:07.33.

Abraham Lincoln senior Obi Amaechi won the shot put with a final-round effort of 47-5.25 (14.45m) after placing second in the discus with a throw of 177-0 (53.94m). Los Osos senior Ashley Anumba won the discus in the fifth round with a throw of 177-8 (54.15m).

Riverside Poly junior Abigail Burke was one of four athletes to clear 5-8 (1.72m) in the high jump, but prevailed over Fortuna's Katie Hurst, Sanger's Chinenye Agina and defending champion Cassidy Palka of Oaks Christian based on no misses at her only four heights.

Marnae Glover, Jasmine Powell, Lauryn Moore and Tierra Robinson-Jones of Bishop O'Dowd won the girls 4x400 in 3:46.33, the program's first championship in the event since 2007.

Queen Okoh, Jazmyne Frost, Destine'e Reid and Jasmin Reed led Serra to the 4x100 title in 46.03, the Cavaliers first championship in the event since 2012.

Defending relay and team champion Carson was disqualified for an exchange zone violation in the 4x100. The Colts then had Kaelin Roberts scratch her remaining 400 and 200 because of a sore hamstring and did not compete in the 4x400 relay final, resulting in no points. Jonon Young placed ninth in the long jump for Carson, missing a scoring opportunity by one place.