PVHS’s Fasanelli excels at AAU Junior Olympic Nationals in heptathlon

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Ponte Vedra High School Track and Field’s Gabriela Fasanelli recently placed seventh in the women’s 17-18 heptathlon at the AAU Junior Olympics in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

In only her fourth start of her career, Fasanelli set six personal records out of seven contested events, including a school record in the 100m hurdles (15.34); 5’3” in the high jump; 32’6.25 in the shot put; 27.29 in the 200m; over 80 feet in the javelin; and a seven-second personal record in the 800m, running a final time of 2:32.07. Overall, she scored 4,168 in total points.

Fasanelli overcame a pulled quad muscle at last season’s 3A Region One meet that prevented her from qualifying for states. That injury played a big part in her motivation to do well at nationals. Most days, she would put in two to three workouts in preparation for the demanding two days and seven events of the heptathlon, according to her coaches. She has increased her point total nearly 1,000 points over the last year and over 600 since late June.

Fasanelli plans to compete in college specializing in the heptathlon at the NCAA Division 1 level.