As a member of the Catasauqua track team, Hailey Jenkins likely won’t forget her freshman year.

Jenkins set the pace in the 100 meter dash, as the predominant leader in the Lehigh Valley most of the season, and she also was atop the leader boards for the 200 and triple jump.

At the District 11 Class 2A meet, Jenkins punched her ticket to the state meet this weekend with second place finishes in the 100 (12.22) and triple jump (35-9).

Teammate, junior Alivia Bear, will be joining her at Shippensburg, as he recorded a second-place finish in the 3,200 with a time of 12:08.52.

Jenkins always believed she could excel at the 100.

“The 100 is my best event,” she said. “I have worked on keeping my form and keeping my face calm. I also worked on the blocks and ran with a parachute. I am also going to work on my triple jump.”

Jenkins has enjoyed the ride.

“I am really excited to have experienced all of this only in my freshman year,” said Jenkins. “I am lucky to have all of my teammates and coaches. Everyone was always so supportive and cheered you up if you had a bad race.

“Districts was really fun considering all of the people that were there. The atmosphere was much different from any other normal meet. I am excited to go to states and run. I think it will be great for me to run against faster girls.”

Bear took herself by surprise.

“The first day of districts went really well,” she recalled. “I had a very strong race in the 3,200, and I shocked myself with how I did. I didn’t actually think I had a chance at making it (to states) until the week prior to districts. Even then, I was going off the idea that I could cut off more than 30 seconds off my previous 3,200 time of 12:43.

“I managed to pull off a 12:08 for second place. It was unbelievable. Seeing coach (Madison) Walker after was a great feeling because we were both so excited. During the race, I heard her say ‘Go for it,’ and that’s when I decided I had to get second, and I wasn’t going to let anyone pass me.

“I am especially looking forward (to states) because Hailey Jenkins qualified for the 100 and the triple jump, and I can’t wait to watch her compete in those.”

Others who palace in the top 10 in their events at districts were Heaven Jenkins, eighth, 100 (13.17); Lauren DeLong, seventh, shot put (32.3-25); Wyatt Younes, sixth, 100 (11.13) and sixth, long jump (20-9.25): Jacob Dove, fifth, 400 (51.98); Josiah LaFond, eighth, 110 hurdles (16:43), and seventh, 300 hurdles (42.61).

The Rough Riders’ girls’ 1,600 relay team was fifth in 4:22.62, and the boys’ 400 relay team was third (44:57) along with the 1,600 relay team was sixth (3:33.02).