Wicker leads RUFIT at national meet

Christina Wicker’s two top-10 finishes highlighted the Running Unlimited Fitness Club’s effort at the United States Track and Field Junior Olympics at Morgan State University in Baltimore last week.

Three other RUFIT athletes competed in the meet which was held in 90-degree weather with a heat index over 100.

Kaitlyn Chelberg placed 43rd in the 200 hurdles in 33.12 in the youth girls (13/14) division preliminaries Wednesday.

Alexis Pierre-Antoine of Illinois led qualifiers with a 28.33.

Jonaylnn Horn finished 26th in the intermediate girls (15/16) 3,000 meters in 12:38.12 Saturday after placing 40th in the 1,500 semifinals in 5:32.69 Thursday.

Katie Lamb of New York  won the 3,000 (10:11.84) and Kaley Ciluffo of Mississippi had the top semifinal time in the 1,500 (4:45.31).

Michael Fisken, competing with the midget boys (11/12), was 27th in the discus in 68-07 Saturday.

Eric Werner of California won in 106-04.

Wicker placed sixth in the young women’s (17/18) 2,000-meter steeplechase in 7:58.40 Thursday and seventh in the 3,000 in 11:19.18 Saturday.  Julianna Vanderhout of Arizona was the steeplechase champion (7:31.82) and Carravita Pape-Calabrese of Maryland took the 3,000 (11:00.8).

RUFIT’s John Rodeheffer (intermediate boys) and the youth girls 4x400 relay team of Laura Rodeheffer, Chelberg, Mallorie Mitchem and Carolynn Wicker also qualified for the national meet but chose not to make the cross-country trip.

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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