In a track and field meet hosted earlier this month at The Corral, several Mustang athletes finished high enough in their individual events to qualify for competition later this summer.
“This was the AAU Region 22 National Qualifier Meet,” said Guy Fowler, who along with his wife Karen, served as meet directors for the qualifier. “We had about 640 athletes from across the state, Nevada and Oregon.”
He noted that the top five finishers in each event qualify for the National AAU Junior Olympic Games, scheduled in Greensboro, North Carolina the last week in July.
“It’s up to the kids whether or not they go,” Fowler said, as it is not a school-sponsored trip. Qualifying does not necessarily mean all those who made it into the top five will be able to compete at the North Carolina games.
Hosts of the meet in Oakdale were the Central California District of the AAU (Guy and Karen Fowler) and the Oakdale High Cross Country Team.
Oakdale qualifiers and their events were:
Samantha Powell (17-18 Girls division), first place in the discus and shot put;
Emma Weber (17-18 Girls division), first place in the high jump and third place in the 100 hurdles;
Savannah Brown (17-18 Girls division), second place in the 100 hurdles;
Audrey Clark (15-16 Girls division), second place in the high jump;
Natalie Powell (15-16 Girls division), second place in the shot put and the discus.
Fowler said it was a successful qualifier, with athletes from the three states coming together for some topnotch track and field action.
“It’s always good for our athletes to get out there and compete,” Fowler said.
Summer Action
The playing fields on the Oakdale High School campus are also seeing some games and practices this summer.
Baseball has kept up a busy schedule throughout much of June, with plenty of contests providing players with an opportunity to work on their skills.
On the gridiron, there have been some 7-on-7 drills and camps for the Mustangs, working on both offensive and defensive schemes with an eye toward the coming fall campaign.
