CLOVIS, Calif. – St. Francis senior Ariane Arndt finished third in the 800 meters at the CIF State Track and Field Championships in a school-record 2:08.62, highlighting an exciting two days at Veterans Memorial Stadium on the campus of Buchanan High School.

“It was amazing,” said Arndt after her fifth race of the weekend. “Going out with a pack of so many girls that are within two seconds of each other, I was definitely nervous. I think I had a smart race. I was packed in but it was good. I was so excited to finally pull though at the end and get on the podium. It has been my goal ever since sophomore year.”

The Folsom native ran from the middle of the pack over the first 400 meters before making her move into the front pack on the second lap. She positioned herself in third and held her spot to earn her the third-place medal, one of the top finishes in school history at the state meet.

“I saw my split at 62-63 (seconds) which was right where I wanted to be,” said Arndt. “I knew right then I had to get in drive and be ready to go. When I hit the 500m mark, it was time to start going and when I hit the 200m mark (left) it was gear on, driving to the finish. I am happy with how I ended.”

California’s Alyssa Brewer won the race in in 2:06.86, while Cathilyn McIntosh of Del Oro was second overall.  Arndt was seeking to become the second state champion in school history, joining Karen Lysaght, who won the high jump in 1980. Her time reset her own school record and was the fifth-fastest in the state this season.

“She ran the race we wanted her to with the splits,” said Interim Head Coach Rod Jett. “She got in a good position, did not get boxed and finished strong for a PR. You can’t do any more than that and I am really excited for her.”

Arndt, a four-year state meet participant, earned the highest finish of her career in her signature event. She will run at UC-Berkeley next fall.

She also anchored the St. Francis 4x400-meter relay to a ninth-place finish in 3:53.83. Senior Kiani Reyna, who signed to run at Sacramento State, was sidelined with an injury suffered in the prelims, forcing sophomore alternate Ava Nkadi to step into the lineup.

“I was happy to be out here with my teammates,” said Arndt. “It was a great finish to senior year. I always love running the 4x400 because it is the last race of the day and you have your team supporting you.”

Senior Lilly Enes, who will run at Yale next year, took over the starting position for the relay.

“I am happy we are done,” said Enes. “Kiani wasn’t able to run and I am sad about that because she has been with our team forever. We were able to pull through and finish our high school careers in the state finals meet. I think it was a good end no matter what.”

Nkadi took the second leg of the race for the Troubadours, running in her first state track meet.

“Honestly I was super nervous because I wanted to complete the job like Kiani would have,” said Nkadi. “I am glad I had the ability to run here and I am so blessed to have such supportive teammates who are willing to help me.”

Junior Elizabeth Hennessy was handed the baton for the third leg.

“It was cool to be here tonight and it was an honor to be running at the state meet for my first time,” said Hennessy. “I am so glad Ava was able to step in for Kiani tonight. She did an amazing job and I proud of her.”

The 4x400-meter relay finished the season with the fifth-fastest time in the state (3:45.49) set at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters meet last weekend.

Sophomore Sydney Vandegrift completed the lineup for the Troubadours, placing 12th in the 3200 in a new personal-best 10:41.49. It was the seventh PR for her this season and third consecutive over the last three weeks of the postseason.

“I had a PR and moved up the rankings so I am proud of that,” said Vandegrift. “It makes me pretty happy. I feel like I have a lot coming for me racing all these girls.”

Vandegrift entered the race with the 16th-fastest seed time.

“I was making sure I did not go out too fast and burn out like many girls did,” said Vandegrift. “I really have to learn and practice getting out there but not too fast and maintaining position. It is really hard.”

Vandegrift, who is from Elk Grove, completed a successful sophomore season, winning seven races overall and placing second in the Delta League, Sac-Joaquin Sections and Masters meets in the 3200m.

“Sydney asked me how I should run this race and I told her not to do anything different,” said assistant coach Aaron Rios. “She did what she has been doing all season long and we are very proud of her.”

St. Francis finished 30th in the team standings behind the six points from Arndt in the 800 meters.

“It has been a crazy ride with a lot of ups and downs but I think I ended on the peak,” said Arndt.

The meet also marked the final race for Enes, who was a Masters qualifier in the 400m and was part of the third-place 4x400-meter relay in 2014 with Arndt and Reyna.

 “I never thought I would do track in high school,” said Enes. “I am so amazed with how much this sport has changed me and how it helped me develop and grow as a person.”