North Salinas High School’s track star, Clara Adams, was sprinting her way into the record books during the 2025 season.
She most certainly had the opportunity to become a CIF state champion on Saturday, but things went terribly wrong.
The California state track and field championships have already been under heavy scrutiny because of a transgender athlete who participated in and won the girls’ high jump and triple jump events.
A separate controversy flew underneath the radar, and it had to do with the varsity girls 400 finals.
Sophomore Clara Adams of North Salinas High School finished in second place in the prelims. However, she would be better in the finals and came in first place.
Adams celebrated with her father after winning the race. However, she was far from finished, as she took a fire extinguisher from her father and sprayed her shoes with it, alluding to her being on fire, the Monterey Herald reported.
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Clara’s father, David, said the celebration was done away from opponents.
Unfortunately for her, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) decided that this celebration was unsportsmanlike and stripped Adams’ of her championship.
What’s Next For Clara Adams?
North Salinas’ Clara Adams was disqualified after winning the CIF State 400-meter title after spraying her shoes with a fire extinguisher.
Adams, a sophomore at North Salinas High School, was competing in the 400m finals for the state title at the time.
She was not only disqualified from keeping her title but also disqualified from the entire meet. That denied her a chance to race in a 200-meter event later.
‘I don’t know what’s going through my mind right now,’ Clara told the Herald.
‘I’m disappointed, and I feel robbed. I am in shock. They (officials) yelled at me and told me “we’re not letting you on the podium.” They took my moment away from me.’
