Sisler’s goal turns to gold

North County Times – Escondido,CA,USA
A prom after-party was waiting in Encinitas, and La Costa Canyon
High’s senior high jumper didn’t have much time to talk or
celebrate an achievement four …

A prom after-party was waiting in Encinitas, and La Costa Canyon High’s senior high jumper didn’t have much time to talk or celebrate an achievement four years in the making. She expressed the exhilaration of winning a CIF State Track and Field championship with one-word answers, discussing her trek over 5 feet, 10 inches during Saturday’s final in equal fashion in an attempt to expedite the interview process.

How did Sisler feel after missing her first attempt of the competition at 5-3? “Scared.” How did she feel after re-taking the lead by clearing 5-9 on the first attempt? “Happy.” What was her immediate reaction after securing a state title many expected her to win? “Whew.”

It was only at that point that someone informed Sisler she had some time to spare. Her guard instantly dropped, and with it came passion. She exhaled loudly, closed her eyes for a moment and finally acknowledged the gravity of her accomplishment.

“Marks weren’t important here,” Sisler said. “All I wanted to do was win. Just win. That was it. It’s overwhelming to do what I set out to do.”

Victory at the state meet was all that was left to accomplish. Sisler broke a 29-year old San Diego Section record last week and dipped below 5-8 just once all year.

“I knew coming in that Whitney was a strong talent,” said first-year LCC high jump coach Patrick McDonough.

“But I don’t think anyone could’ve expected a year like this. She has a section record, a state title and was incredibly successful in between. You can’t ask for anything more.”

Most spectators would never know how Sisler felt about her accomplishments. She was cool, collected and businesslike during her trek to a state title.

But after Sisler cleared 5-10 on her second try, the faÁade finally cracked.

Sisler jumped right up and exulted with a powerful fist pump, illustrating both her excitement and her desire to win.

“She never reacts to anything,” McDonough said. “So when Whitney got excited, we all got excited. You couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment.”

While Sisler’s teammate Katy Andrews didn’t win a state title in the 3,200 meters, she couldn’t help but get excited by an effort more than 20 seconds better than her previous best. Andrews finished in 10 minutes, 36.58 seconds, which put a sixth-place medal in Andrews’ hand and a big smile on her face.

“I am so, so happy right now,” Andrews said. “I was hoping for a (personal record), but I never expected one quite this big. And to earn a medal with it is even better.”

It was a performance long awaited for Andrews, who missed all of the major invitationals while vacationing in Australia.

“I was gone for all of the big meets, so I figured the state meet was my only chance to turn in a really good time,” Andrews said. “The pace was fast, but I convinced myself that I had gas left in the tank. I was able to run strong at the end and hold on to a medal.”

Andrews wasn’t the only North County athlete to earn a medal at Sacramento City College’s Hughes Stadium.

Vista’s Griffin Simmons grabbed fifth in the boys pole vault with a mark of 15-4 and Rancho Bernardo’s Emily Mattoon took sixth with an 11-10. Oceanside’s Maurice Patterson finished fifth in the 100 with a 10.64 and Escondido’s Darrell Catchings was sixth in the long jump with a 22-10 3/4.

Saturday’s meet was also big in terms of records.

National records were set by Woodland Hills Taft’s Jeshua Anderson in the boy’s 300 hurdles (35.28), San Jose Mt. Pleasant’s Vashti Thomas in the 100 hurdles (13.03) and Palo Alto Castilleja’s Tori Anderson in the girl’s pole vault (14-1).