Bethel Falls Short of a Long Jump Victory

No Orange County athletes took home first-place medals at the Arcadia Invitational Saturday night, but Mission Viejo sophomore Dana Bethel sure came close.

Bethel went a county-leading 18 feet 6 1/4 inches in the long jump, tying Long Beach Poly’s NaOnka Mixon for second, one inch behind winner Tracee Thomas of Riverside North. Bethel went over 18 feet on each of her attempts in the final round, but fell back on her final attempt, which appeared to be close to 19 feet.

“I know my last jump would have won it,” Bethel said. “But I sat back on my butt.”

Bethel also had the third fastest time in the 100 hurdles (14.38 seconds) behind Nichole Denby of Riverside North and Felicien Predita of Ontario Pickering (13.87), and was fourth in the invitational heat in the 300 hurdles (45.23).

Santa Margarita’s Amanda Shanklin ran the third fastest time of the meet in the 300 hurdles, winning the seeded race in 43.70. Detra King of Long Beach Poly had the top overall time in the event (43.32).

University’s Allyson Marquand finished fifth in the 1,600 (4 minutes 58.16 seconds), which was won by Alejandra Barrientos of San Lorenzo Valley (4:47.94). Corona del Mar’s Liz Morse finished sixth in the 800 (2:14.20).

Foothill senior Tynisia Edwards was sixth in the triple jump (37-8), which was won by Long Beach Poly’s Blessing Ufodiama (39-7 1/4). Edwards was not at her best Saturday.

“I’m not feeling too well today,” Edwards said. “But it’s OK. There are plenty of meets ahead.”

In the boys’ competition, Jeff Ryan of Huntington Beach cleared 15 feet in the pole vault, which was good for fifth place. Ryan just missed on his third attempt at 15-6, brushing the bar with his chest on the way down.

“I just didn’t throw my body back,” Ryan said. “I’d never been up that high before. I was close and I was over it.”

Alfonso Leon of Santa Ana was eighth in the 1,600 (4:18.03) and Costa Mesa’s Bruce Hancock was ninth (4:19.65).

Jose Herrera of Loara was 10th in the 3,200 (9:11.59). Villa Park’s Augie Escobar, who led the first four laps, dropped back to 16th (9:21.54).

Sam Lightbody of Huntington Beach finished third in the discus (185-6) and Esperanza’s Travis Pendleton was fourth (182-11). Lightbody tied for fourth in the shotput (58-7).

In the open division, Brea Olinda had a strong day, running the second best time in the 400 relay (43.08). Claude Melvin had the top time in the 100 (10.87) and the second best time in the 200 (21.95).