CIF state track and field finals: Adams podiums in 400 for North Salinas
CLOVIS — Add one more milestone to Clara Adams resume.
While her track and field chapter at North Salinas High is just beginning, the freshman has already left a legacy.
Adams became the first girl at North Salinas to podium at the CIF State track and field championships, placing fourth in the 400 meters Saturday at Buchanan High in Clovis.
Dipping into the 54’s for the third straight meet, the 5-foot-7 Adams was clocked in 54.64, just a shade off her county record of 54.46, achieved at last weekend’s Central Coast Section finals.
“There is a lot of emotion right now,” Adams said. “I still excited. But I’m so relieved that it’s over. I’m satisfied. I know I did my best.”
Adams became the highest freshman finisher in county history for any event at the state finals. The last athlete from North Salinas to medal at the State meet was Ronnie Drummer in the 100 and 200 in 2001.
“She’s having fun,” said Adams’ dad David. “There’s no pressure. Sure she trains a little different. Her workouts are a little tougher. She’s bought in. She understands. There was a template before Clara even got here.”
Adams, who became the first North Salinas girl to qualify for the state meet in 27 years, broke the school records in the 200 and 400 meter sprints this past spring.
Last week the 15-year-old became the school’s first CCS track and field girls champion, when she came from behind to win the 200. Her mark of 24.31 in Friday’s State trials is the second fastest 200 time in county history.
Adams is the first girl athlete from Monterey County to podium (top six) at the state meet since Laura Wong finished third in the pole vault in 2019 for Santa Catalina.
Having dropped nearly a second off her time at the CCS finals, Adams has run three consecutive races in the 54’s, having run 54.63 in Friday’s trials — the third fastest time among 28 competitors.
“I just stuck to the script that my dad gave me,” said Adams, whose father is her sprint coach.
As she has done throughout the season, Adams went out hard, hitting the midpoint of the race locked in even battle with seven other competitors.
“We were all pretty much together at the 200-meter mark,” Adams said. “Separation began to occur around at 300 meters.
Sitting in fifth place with about 80 meters remaining, Adams showcased her stamina and strength, catching one runner to finish fourth.
“I walked a girl down over the last part of the race,” said Adams, who won Cypress Division titles this past spring in the 100, 200 and 400. “I feel really proud of what I’ve accomplished this year.”
Adams will begin her club season in two weeks when she competes in the Northern California regional meet, as she will attempt to qualify for the nationals in her age class for the sixth time in seven years.
The only year she’s missed came when she tore her ACL playing youth football.
