Girls Recap: Sophia Rodriguez, Chloe Huyler Capture Distance Wins During High Performance Session; Marissa Johnson Wins Two Throwing Events

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Becky Holbrook and Brynn Kleinke Photos

INTERVIEWS | RESULTS/VIDEOS

EUGENE - If a fifth-place finish and shiny new PR in the 200 meters showed Aster Jones that she was on the cusp of big things at Nike Indoor Nationals three weeks ago, it was all realized on Friday at the Oregon Relays. 

The junior from Roosevelt High in North Portland lowered her time again in the 200 meters when she ran 23.44 seconds to win the event for a second straight year. Her time is US#11. 

In Oregon, where nationally relevant female sprinters were practically non-existent until Mia Brahe-Pedersen, Lily Jones and Sophia Beckmon entered the picture, Aster Jones is now the next link in the chain. 

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Jones' 200 time is faster than her older sister Lily's high school PR and she is now fourth on the state's all-time list. 

Later, Jones came back to the track and smashed another personal best with 11.55 seconds in the 100. 

In the 400 meters, Newberg OR's Sophia Castaneda ran a personal best time of 54.16 seconds for the win and Jones' teammate, Ellie Heslam, was second with a personal best 54.94. 

The girls from Wilson (Long Beach), reigning California state champions, contributed mightily to the co-ed team championship cause with wins in the 4x400 relay (meet record 3:48.12) and sprint medley (4:06.53). 

In addition, Loren Webster won the girls long jump with 19-1.50. 

The Bruins are primed to pile on a lot more points Saturday, especially in the hurdles. 

During Friday night's high performance session, Sophia Rodriguez ran clear of a talented field in the 2-mile with Hayward Field's light show effects on full blast and spectators lining the straightaways on the track. 

Rodriguez, of Mercer Island WA, finished in a time of 10:17.34, an early season US#1. The gap narrowed a bit at the end and Maya Bybee from Lone Peak UT finished second in 10:24.12. 

Rodriguez's older sister Victoria started the day by defending her title in the 2,000-meter steeplechase, where she broke her own meet record with 6:41.62. 

Chloe Huyler of Lakeridge capped the evening by defeating perhaps the deepest field of the night in the mile, taking it in 4:46.70. Adrianna Buitelaar from Mennonite Educational Institute BC was second in 4:50.34 and 2023 Nike Cross Nationals champion Addy Ritzenhein of Niwot CO was third in 4:51.08. 

Marissa Johnson of Tigard OR won two throwing events: the shot put (43-1.50) and hammer (158-10). She could add a third on Saturday in the discus. 

Hayden Williams-Downing from West Linn OR won the javelin with 144-4. Williams-Downing, like Webster, is an Oregon recruit. 

Catherine Phillips from Mountainside OR won the high jump with a clearance at 5-5.