Port Angeles’ Gracie Long had quite a finish to her high school career for the Roughriders.
After a disappointing end to her cross country season, Long made up for it with a spectacular performance at the 2A State Track and Field Championships at Mount Tahoma High School.
First, she won the 1,600 meters, outdueling Kristen Garcia of Sedro-Woolley down the stretch to win that event in 4:58.72, a Port Angeles school record and her first 1,600 race ever under five minutes.
Long followed that up with an amazing kick in the 3,200, passing five runners in the final half lap to jump from sixth to second. She set another Port Angeles school record with a time of 11:00.89.
For good measure, Long helped the Roughriders’ 4×400 relay team finish 11th in the statewith a time of 4:12.47.
Those were her final three races for the Riders. Long will be running cross country and track for Corban University in Salem, Ore., next year.
Athlete of the Week is brought to you by the sports department at the Peninsula Daily News along with the sponsorship of Swain’s General Store serving Clallam and Jefferson counties since 1957.
