Eagles are short on headliners

Chris Yemma

The theme of this year’s Estancia High girls track and field team is

youth.

Just three seniors return to a team that was considered young last

season, and there isn’t the superstar athlete that walks other

campuses.

“We don’t have any one person who really stands out,” Eagles Coach

Charlie Appell said. “Nobody’s a lock this year.”

With no extreme standout, Estancia is going to have to stretch

every last point during Golden West League dual meets to have a

chance at hanging in there against league foes.

But there are a few athletes that have the potential to pick up

some points in their events. And youthful, they are.

Sophomore Ashton Henderson will likely be gathering the most

points this year for the Eagles, who are 1-1 through two league

meets. Henderson, who finished fourth in league as a freshman in the

shot put with a mark of 26 feet, 7 1/2 inches, has already bettered

that distance this year.

She threw 28-0 to win the event in a dual meet against Costa Mesa

Thursday. She also won the discus with a 78-0 throw, making her the

only Estancia athlete to win two events against crosstown rival Costa

Mesa.

“We’re pretty strong with Ashton at shot and discus,” Appell said.

Another potential multiple-point scorer is sophomore Jaye

Hellmich, who competes in the long jump, triple jump and high jump.

Hellmich finished third in league last year in the long jump with

leap of 15-5.

She was fourth in the triple jump (32-5 1/2 ) and fifth in the

high jump (4-6) at league finals.

Against Costa Mesa this season, Hellmich improved her personal

best in the high jump with a 4-10 clearance.

Hellmich was second against Mesa in the long and triple jumps.

“Jaye Hellmich is good in all the jumping events, but she’s

probably the strongest in the triple jump,” Appell said.

Sophomore Emily Carr will be leading the sprinting charge (100

meters and 200), while freshman Jennifer Thomas will lead the 400 and

freshman Karina Rios will shore up the distance events.

“The league is really strong in the distance events and with Costa

Mesa and Santa Ana having all those horses, it will be tough,” Appell

said.