Central Valley varsity girls track and field standout Chetna Kumar thrived under pressure at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships this past week at Stockton's Cesar Chavez High School.

"I loved the atmosphere," she said. "Everybody was jumping far. The competition pushed me."

Kumar, a senior, set a personal record and secured a berth to the Masters meet in the long jump.

She placed second with a mark of 17 feet, 21/4 inches.

"It feels good thinking about how far I jumped," Chetna said. "I really wanted it and got it."

Kumar's previous PR of 16-11 was set during the WAC dual season.

"There's definitely room for improvement," she said. "I need to work on my speed and form."

Chetna qualified for Masters for the first time.

"At the beginning of the season, I didn't think I'd get there," she said. "As I progressed, my confidence increased more. I got better and better. Masters seemed more achievable. It's very exciting. It's a relief. I finally achieved my goal."

Kumar also took ninth in the 100 (13.10) and 10th in the 200 (26.96).

Hawk teammate Emily Curiel placed 11th in the 100 hurdles (19.64) and 300 hurdles (56.01).

Central Valley finished 11th in the team standings.

The Hawks earned eight points.

The Masters meet will be staged at Elk Grove High School this Friday.

"It's an honor representing a school from a small town like Ceres," Kumar said. "I'll try my best to get a PR."