EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third of five stories looking back at the highlights of the 2024 sports year in local high school sports.

SALINAS >> Her arrival as a track and field phenom last spring as a freshman was not unexpected. Clara Adams had been making a name for herself on the Junior Olympic circuit as a youth.

Yet, the North Salinas High sprinter blazed a trail not seen since Sani Roseby, arguably the greatest track and field female athlete ever to come from Monterey County.

Adams brought the future to the forefront last spring at North Salinas, breaking Roseby’s 400-meter record at the state trials with a time of 54.46 seconds.

“Me and my dad do reflect on what I’ve done,” Adams said. “We just talk about what’s going to come next and what we’re going to do from there. But I definitely look back on it.”

Adams took track and field fanatics on a ride all spring as her times in the 200- and 400-meter sprints kept plunging, earning a fourth-place finish at the state championships.

Breaking school records was just a tune-up to what she had in store after winning league titles in both the 200 and 400 meters at the Pacific Coast Athletic League Cypress Division finals.

Blessed with a lengthy stride with a 5-foot-8 frame and an off-season of building stamina and strength in the weight room, Adams was set for peak performances last May.

The 15-year-old stunned a deep field in the 200 meters at the Central Coast Section finals — 80 minutes after running the 400 —becoming the first ever North Salinas girls’ athlete to bring home a CCS track and field title.

Showing off her endurance, Adams didn’t catch the field until the straight away, then began to pull away over the last 80 meters in an upset.

“My 400 training played a role in those final 80 meters,” Adams said. “The 200 is so fun to run. But I’m more successful in the 400. I train for both. I really enjoy both races.”

Adams, who finished second in the 400 at the CCS finals, became the first ever North Salinas female for the school to qualify for the state meet in 27 years.

The CCS finals were just a prelim to the state championships, where Adams blistered the track in the 400 trials to a country record to put herself in a good lane for the finals 24 hours later.

Adams was fearless all season in blistering the first 100 meters of the 400, then relying on her strength to carry over the final 150 meters.

The magnitude of the event wasn’t too much for Adams, who has been challenging herself since she was 11, often running in Junior Olympic events against older girls.

“State felt like a regular meet,” Adams said. “I was definitely nervous. But I knew what had to get done and I did it.”

Returning the following day for the finals, Adams became the only athlete from the county to podium after placing fourth overall in the 400.

“I felt really prepared,” Adams said. “I felt confident going in. When the gun went off, the nerves went away. I was running with the pack at 250 meters. I still felt strong.”

The milestone for Adams, North Salinas and the county marked the first time a female sprinter from the area had podiumed since Roseby won the 100 during her senior season in 2000.

In a sport with no divisions to break up athletes or teams to create multiple champions, Adams’ heroics were arguably the most impressive feat of any athlete from any sport in 2024.

“I know I have room for growth,” Adams said. “I haven’t fully peaked. As I get older, it just gets better each year.”

As a means to keep that fire burning, Adams stepped away from the track in the fall and played volleyball for North Salinas. It’s not expectations as much as excitement that fuels the sophomore.

“Volleyball was a nice break,” Adams said. “Now it’s time to get back on the track. I’d love to get sub 54 (seconds) in the 400. And make the state finals in both the 200 and 400.”