On May 25, Sophomore Track and Field 400m Runner Katriina Wright took first place with a new personal record of 53.93 in the State Finals at Buchanan High School in Fresno, California.

  “Winning the 400m at State Finals was definitely unexpected. Going to State, I had zero expectations so I gave it my all on Friday [State Prelims],  because I was worried I wouldn’t make it to finals. It was only then that I realized I might actually be able to win!” exclaimed Sophomore Katriina Wright.

  “Right before the race I wasn’t nervous. I was confident that I was going to do well, but I knew that I was going to have to run faster than I did on Friday,because I was about to go up against the fastest 400m runners in California,” she added.

  Wright described her experience: “The first half of the race is a bit of a blur — I just remember maintaining my speed and keeping up with everyone around me, slowly trying to catch up to the people in front of me. The last 200m, I remember how close everyone was and the feeling of the finish being so close and yet so far. Coming down the last 100m, I could feel everyone’s energy slowly depleting while I felt as though mine was slowly increasing, and then in the last 40m I remember going ‘this is it right here. I could actually win.’  I was in third or fourth place at that point, but I just pushed myself and when I crossed the finish line I just felt shocked, thinking ‘I just did that.’”

    Wright added, “It’s pretty hard to wrap my head around it, because I wasn’t expecting it. It was never my main goal. My goal was always just to PR and do my best.”

  Sophomore Kilee Horner stated, “Katriina did absolutely amazing at the State Finals. I have never been more proud of my teammate and friend. I am so happy for her and I am blessed to be able to call her one of my training partners.”