James Yodice, Journal Staff Writer
Albuquerque Academy swept the team titles in 4A. The boys scored 91 points, with Artesia — which enjoyed a strong meet across the board — second with 74½ points. Silver (60) was third.
The Academy girls, led by their two alphas, junior sprinter/jumper Grace Erinle and senior distance specialist Anna Hastings, piled up 127 points. Los Alamos (90) and Artesia (36) also earned trophies.
Erinle, with 30½ points, was 4A’s high-point athlete. She and Hastings combined for 51½ points on their own.
In her final prep meet before she leaves for the East Coast and Brown of the Ivy League, Hastings edged Grants’ Laila Martinez and Hope Christian’s Claire DeFoy in the 800-meter final (2:14.64), and Hastings completed the distance sweep a bit later with a victory in the 1,600 (5:02.57).
Erinle, New Mexico’s most polished girls’ track and field athlete, added the triple jump title (38-11¼) to her win Friday in the long jump, and she also was the 100-meter champion (12.04 seconds). She broke state records Friday in the long jump and the 100, in prelims.
On Saturday, Erinle also won the 200 (24.98) ahead of Belen’s Sophia Cox, who would become the state champion in the 400 (55.92).
“Sprinting and jumping, they have my heart,” Erinle said, smiling. She then giggled as she added, “It’s been a good couple of days.”
