By Leonard COUTIN

The Pacific League track and field teams entered their league prelims last Thursday on the Apache track and field late in the afternoon and early evening. The races included several heats in each of the events for both varsity and frosh/soph races. Athletes learn to pace themselves as the schedule for each of the heats takes a long time to unfold.

According to CV Head Coach Mark Evans, to advance “nine qualify in the sprints and hurdle races, 12 qualify in the 800m and 1600m. The 3200m and field events are held at the league finals as well as the relay races.”

This year the Falcons’ strength was in the depth of their distance runners. Both the girls and boys runners did well in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m races. Qualifying in the girls’ 1600m were Sophia Atin, Samantha Moore, Gaby Borraez and Ily Nelson; for the boys, Dylan Wilbur, Grant Lauterback, Ameer Mohammed and Erik Faeustle will move forward. Priya Riley had the best time of the day in the 100H running 17.56; teammate Eliza Clark, who took third, also qualified for the 300H.

In the 800m, Sophia Atin, Ily Nelson, Samantha Moore and Gaby Borraez qualified for the girls and Dylan Wilbur, Kevin Tasci, Ameer Mohammed and Evan Doloszycki will advance in the boys’ competition. In the 300H, Vince Lieberman and Priya Riley will advance to the finals as will Eliza Clark. Unfortunately, the varsity team continued to fall short in the sprints, scoring few points in the 100m, 200m and 400m races.

In the frosh/soph 1600m girls’ competition, Eden Haack, Sarah Nakama and Reese Sion will advance; for the boys, Chris Cubias, Rowan FitzGerald, Max Burton, Jack Myers, Bryce Bitetti and Max Ruiz move on. Rachel Arias had the fastest times for the day, both in the 100H (running 17.56) and the 300m clocking 49.07. Teammate Teleya Blun and Diego Pravikoff will advance in the 400m. Isabella Reyes had the fastest time of the day in the 100m at 13.69 and Ian Smyth will also advance in 100m.

Rebecca Doherty posted the fastest time in the 800m running 2:34.55, Sarah Nakama took second; Emma Walch, Sarah Guzman and Rowan FitzGerald will advance in the 800m. Isabella Reyes and Teleya Blunt qualified in the 200m. Eden Haack, Reese Sion and Kelly Helton will advance in the 3200m girls along with Chris Cubias, Max Burton, Jack Myers, Bruce Bitetti, Dylan Haworth and Max Ruiz for the boys. Jerry Martin cleared 5-02.00 in the high jump; Teleya Blunt posted second place in the pole vault at 6-06.00 and teammate Justin Bolstad vaulted fifth with a jump of 9-06. Eric Mecoyan placed sixth vaulting 9-00.00 followed by Jerry Martin vaulting 9-00.00.

Elizabeth Yim took first in the long jump at 15-11.25 and Peter Nam placed fourth with a jump of 17-11.50. Teammate Eric Mecoyan, who placed eighth, jumped 15-10.25. 

Angela Kim placed first in the triple jump posting 30-09.50, Elizabeth Yim placed third (30-01.00) and Jerry Martin took fourth with a triple jump of 33-00.00. Eric Mecoyan snagged seventh with 30-04.50.

In the discus, Sabine Issaghoulian placed fourth with an 81-07 throw, followed by teammate Tatiana Issaghoulian, who threw 78-10. Sabastian Wynder had the best throw in the discus at 88-05 and placed sixth in the shot put with a put of 32-03.00.

Ashlynn Oliver placed third in the shot put with a throw of 26-04.00 and teammate Tatian Issaghoulian placed ninth throwing 22-11.00. The Pacific League finals will be held today, Thursday, April 25.

On May 4, the CIF prelims will be held at Trabuco Hill High School beginning at 11 a.m. for field events and noon for running.

  Leonard Coutin