By Leonard COUTIN

The 96th annual CIF state championship was hosted at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Buchanan High School track and field this past weekend. The Buchanan track is noted as one of the best in the state, giving athletes the opportunity to set outstanding marks.

By the end of Friday’s competition, several top athletes experienced complications in their performances and were not able to advance to Saturday’s contest. Among those were the twins from Flintridge Prep – Barrett and Gareth Weiss – who had jumped 15-2 at the masters’ meet. The pair did not have the extra punch to clear the passing height of 15-3 to qualify. Barrett placed 17th on Friday clearing 14-3, and Gareth placed 19th, also clearing the same height.

This was the first time both boys had seen high-level competition at a state level. Although it was disappointing for the brothers, the experience and competition will no doubt help when they return next year.

“Barrett and Gareth both had incredible finishes to their seasons, pr’ing at 15-2 at the CIF-SS Masters Meet,” said Coach Nick Ponticello. “It was really a season bonus for them that they got to compete at state – totally unexpected for all of us.”

“I’m so proud of them for making such significant progress throughout the season. They may not have had their best performances at state, but the experience of being there and seeing other incredible performances by other athletes is one that will better prepare them for next year’s competition.”

Saturday’s record-breaking performances shook the stadium as athletes competed against the state’s best. Long Beach Poly girls were once again on top as senior Ariana Washington set a new school record in the 100m dash running a time of 11.2, winning the 200m in 22.96 and anchoring the 4 x 100 relay team of Autumn Wright, Jade Lewis, Maya Perkins and Washington (45.19).

An elite track finalist, Washington concluded her high school career by winning a total of eight gold medals, taking the prize all three years in the 100m and 200m. Her teammates, continued to blow out the competition in many of the other events. Kaelin Roberts won the 400m dash with a time of 52.52. The team of Roberts, Wright, Hollie Harris and Ebony Crear won the 4 x 400m relay (3:38.05). Concluding with 70 points was the Long Beach Poly girls who nabbed the winning trophy in the girls division for the 14th time in history.          Piedmont Hill scored 29 point taking second and Dos Pueblos placed third with 26 points.

Sarah Robinson of Gunn (central division) won the mile (4:44.25) with Great Oak’s Destiny Collins (southern section) taking second (4:51.47) and Amanda Gehrich of Tesoro (ss) placing third (4:52.20). Clovis North Mikaela Smith won the 800m in 2:06.85 and Anna Maxwell of S Lrnz (cc) took second (2:08.32) followed by Buchanan’s Hanna Benoit (2:08.75). The girls’ 300 hurdles was won by Piedmont’s Reonna Collier (cc) (40.90).

The Bethan Knights of Northwood (ss), who set an outstanding mark in the masters’ meet, again won the 3200m (10:00.19). Robinson took second (10:12.40) followed by Addi Zerrenner of Dos Pueblos (ss) (10:13.12).

Stamatia Scarvalis won both the discus (163-07) and the shot put (52-02.00) for the second time at state. Stockdale’s (cc) Asia Chelsey won the high jump (5-10.00) with Harvard-Westlake (ss) placing second at the same height. Carson’s (la) Ashley Anderson won the triple jump (41-03.00). Margaux Jones of Redlands (ss) won the long jump (20-04.75). Los Gatos’ (cc) Greta Wagner won the pole vault (13-00.25). Mecca McGlaston of Dublin (cc) took the win in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.54.

The boys’ state championship title was won my Mater Dei (ss) with the assistance of sprinter Curtis Godin who won both the 100m (10.31) and the 200m (20.87).  The spectators were obviously impressed by his speed and grace when he beat De La Salle (NC) who leaned in for a second place slot (13.68) followed by Simi Valley’s (ss) Alex Billing (14.01). The boys’ 4 x 100 relay was won by the Woodcreek team of Alex Rotteveel, Tyus Williamson, Aspyn Walton and Colton George (sj) (41.20).

Distant star runner Blake Haney of Stockdale won the 1600m (4:08.52) and also ran the 3200m where he captured third place (8:58.52) behind Steven Fahy of La Costa (sd) (8:58.48) and Redwood’s (cc) Fred Huxham (8:54.24).          Misana Viltz of Millikan (ss) won the 100m hurdles in 13.47 with De La Salle’s Marquis Morris capturing second (13.68) and Simi Valley’s (ss) Billing taking third (14.01).

Kemonie Briggs from Wilson of Long Beach (ss) won the 400m dash in (46.92), with Michael Norman of Vista Murrieta taking second (46.94). Harvard Westlake’s (ss) David Manahan won the 800m with a time of 1:51.04 over Connor Morello of Clovis (ce) (1:51.05).

The 800m was one of the fastest races of the day when nine athletes timed in under 1:53.60. Morris came back after his 110H and won the 300H in 36.86.

The Poly boys’ (ss) team of Malik Dennis, Jordan Pitts, Chris Polk and Mary’ea Harris won the 4 x 400 relay (3:11.86) over Dorsey High (la) which  captured second (3:12.87).

Eric Moore won the high jump (7-00.25). The pole vault was won by Carl Johansson from Lutheran (ss) (17-00.00) with second place going to Jake David of Ventura (ss) 16-66.00 and Trevor Groom of Clovis (16-00.00).          Burroughs Mark Schwartz placed seventh jumping 15-06, bettering his jump of 15-02 at the masters’ meet.

Castro Valley (nc) Nate More won the long jump (25-08.75) as well as the triple jump (51-04.00). Dotun Ogundeji of Madison won the shot put with (65-05.50) with masters’ meet champion Matt Katnik taking second place (64-04.00) and Esperanza William Truong placing third (62-04.50). Rocky Fenton of San Clemente (ss) won the discus with a throw of 184-10.

Final scores: First place was Mater Dei 28, followed by De La Salle 20, then Wilson/LB 16.

  Leonard Coutin