CLOVIS — Miranda Miller’s appearance in the 100th running of the CIF State Track & Field Championships was short but sweet for the Sierra High junior.
The former gymnast and first-year track athlete finished in 26th place, topping out at 35 feet, 2 ¾ inches on the last of her three attempts in the preliminary round Friday at Buchanan High’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“It was amazing,” Miller said. “Watching other girls jump in the 40s is crazy, and I’m hoping to get there next year or later on in my career.
“Overall, I know I didn’t jump my best but it was an amazing meet. It’s probably my favorite meet and it was intense.”
Miller’s personal best mark of 37-4 — also a school record — was established during her third-place finish in the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships last week. At the state meet, she befriended fellow SJS competitors Abby Lo of Davis and Elyse Nordheim of Vista del Lago, who finished ahead of her at 24th- and 25th-place respectively.
Silver Creek (San Jose) teammates Jazlynn Shearer (41-0) and Arianna Fisher (40-9 ¼) had the top two jumps. Only the top 12 placers advance to today’s final round. Taft’s Macayla Wells earned the final spot at 38-6.
Miller scratched on her first attempt and leaped 34-4 ¾ on her second.
“After the first attempt I wasn’t too upset — it’s not something I do too often,” Miller said. “On my warmups I knew I was on the board on all of them.”
Miller hopes to make it back next year. At the start of the season, she didn’t think she’d have a shot at getting close to the state meet. Her family had planned a trip to the East Coast to visit relatives this weekend, and Miller’s flight had to be delayed.
Along with Sacramento State-bound sprinting standout Jasmin Correa, Miller helped Sierra capture the Valley Oak League championship this year. Miller qualifying for state was a “good way to end the season,” said Sierra coach Ezequiel Ruiz.
“It’s a proud moment for her and for us,” he added. “She’s a brand-new athlete to the sport, and with her background as a gymnast we were kind of pumped to get her out there.
“We knew she’d be good, we just weren’t sure how good. Throughout the season we could see her development and her buy-in into the sport. Her competitiveness just kind of took over from there, and that’s what propels her to have this kind of run. This was a good learning experience for her.”