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AUSTINTOWN -- The Salem girls track team -- led by junior Rylee Hutton's school-record long jump -- claimed runner-up honors at the Austintown Division II regional meet Saturday.
The Quakers totaled eight state qualifiers in eight events on the way to 55 1/2 points, trailing only Woodridge's 73 1/2.
Hutton jumped her way into Salem's record books with a second-place lon gjump of 17-feet-4 3/4, while Salem junior Kaylee Carlisle was third in the discus with a toss of 119-7.
During her long jump final, Hutton broke Megan Lehwald's school record of 17-4 set in 2014.
"There was a lot of really talented girls out there," Salem assistant coach Ty Graham said. "We knew coming into today that this region was going to be difficult to get out of -- a lot of girls were able to reach out to 17 feet. Riley has been able to hit that a couple of times."
In fact, Hutton has been within an inch of this record in this season alone.
"I've been chasing (the school record) this entire season," Hutton said. "I came into a meet and jumped 17-feet-3 3/4 -- so just one-fourth away from the school record, which really (stunk) --but to finally break it at regionals. I guess it's worth the wait."
Breaking the school record was made more difficult this season thanks to a nagging hamstring injury.
"She hurt her hamstring later into the season," Graham said. "So we were kind of nervous about what she would be able to do, but with such a big meet with such tight competition, she was able to pull it through."
During the long jump, Hutton reaggravated the hamstring injury, which led to her pulling out of the 400 dash final after turn one. Thankfully, Hutton is in good spirits for her third trip to state -- but her first state appearance in the long jump.
"Yes, I'm going to try (to compete,)" Hutton said. "I have ran the 400 (dash) and the (1600 relay) at state the last two years, so I am excited to see how the long jump is since I have never done that at (the state level) before. I think (my past experiences at state) will help, but it's also going to be a whole new experience at the same time. I feel like I won't be as nervous because I know what to expect, but I don't know how the competition is going to be at state for long jump."
As far as the upcoming competition at state, the jumps only seem to be getting deeper and deeper into the pit.
"I would love to see podium," Graham said. "I believe there's a girl jumping 19 feet -- who's going to be difficult to catch --but, we are going to get some practice in this week to hopefully get her into that top three or four. That's really our goal."
Carlisle only needed three tosses to launch herself onto the podium and punch her ticket to state, and the best part? She knows she can do better.
"I didn't do too badly, but not my best performance," Carlisle said. "I placed third, but I kept building and stayed confident in myself. (Qualifying) means a lot to me. I feel like I have a lot of improvement. I can do some cool things at state. I'm just really excited."
Her first throw landed 114-5 away; her second landed 115-10 away; and her third toss landed her a podium placement.
Looking ahead to her trip to Columbus, Carlisle already has her goals for the trip planned out.
"At state, I want to throw the discus well," Carlisle said. "(I want to) place, get on the podium, and have fun."