For the fourth time in as many years Oakdale’s Hannah Chappell will be heading to the State Championships in discus. Chappell continued her dominance at the Section level with a win at the CIF Masters Meet this past week.
The senior standout has never lost in a CIF meet and finished her career with a perfect record in Valley Oak League meets.
“The fact that we (varsity girls track and field team) won 12 straight VOL titles is crazy impressive. That’s the one thing that I will always remember about my time at Oakdale High School. To be a part of four of those championships and the friendships I have made here are truly special to me,” Chappell said.
Two weeks after throwing the fourth furthest discus in CIF history in the Divisionals at 156-06, Chappell claimed her fourth Masters championship on Friday, May 27 with at Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks. The soon to be discus thrower at the University of Alabama still has one more meet to go as a Mustang, the State Championship at Buchanan High School in Clovis on June 3 and 4.
Chappell threw a total of six times on the day on Friday, with her best throw coming in her third attempt at 142-05 feet. Her lowest throw of 120-08 in the first round was still higher than 95 percent of other competitors throws in any attempt throughout the day. This coming weekend Chappell looks to claim her first ever State championship. In 2013 she finished second at the state meet.
“I am excited for her, not just as a father but as a coach as well. She has made me very proud and she is a hard worker,” said throws coach Brett Chappell of his daughter. “She has battled through some injuries (ankle/wrist) over the years but never missed a meet or invitational. She is a tough competitor.”
Although Chappell will be the only Oakdale athlete represented at the State championship, her teammates Kai Tanner, Kyndall Vargas, Bronte Lucero and Deonna Osmundson also made it to Masters. Tanner, a senior, placed fourth in the shot put. Tanner just missed the cut to advance to State as only the top three make it to the prestigious meet. Tanner threw for a best 39-07 feet.
“Kai may not be the tallest girl out there but she worked very hard for this program and made a fantastic effort. It’s too bad she did not make it, but it is tough when they only take 24 girls in the entire state,” Coach Chappell said of Tanner.
Senior Bronte Lucero finished 21st on the day with her best throw of 31-02 in the shot put as well. Junior Kyndall Vargas finished 13th in the discus throw on day two. Vargas threw for 102-05 on her first attempt. Junior Osmundson finished 14th in discus with a third round throw of 100-03.
“It’s going to be difficult to match the success of this group next season. They were a fantastic group of kids, and they always went out there to try and better themselves each day,” Coach Chappell said of this year’s throws team.
In other events, seniors Melody Johnson and Austin Burke competed for the final time in a Mustang uniform at the Masters. Both competed on Thursday, with Johnson placing 16th in the girl’s 300 meter hurdles and 18th in the 100 meter hurdles events. Burke placed 21st in the triple jump. Juniors Samantha Nickerson and Mikayla Wong also competed at Masters. Nickerson tied for 13th in the highly competitive high jump on Thursday, May 26. Nickerson tied four others at 4-11.00. Wong, who had a great junior season in pole vaulting, did not place in the competition on day two after posting no height. Sophomore Cassie England placed 13th in the triple jump at 35-01.50 on day one.
