Strachewski secures placement setting personal best at Trabuco Hills.

By Leonard COUTIN

The CIF-SS Division 1 track and field championship prelims were held on Saturday at Trabuco Hills High School. It was a long and hot day – five heats of every event was run – and athletes had to pace themselves in order to perform well.

Along with leading times, first place guaranteed advancement to the finals at Mount San Antonio College this weekend.

Playing it safe was not what Falcon Josh Strachewski did. His goal was not only to advance but also to outperform his previous times. Running the 110 hurdles, he beat his best performance of 15.1 with a new personal record of 14.89. He placed second in heat five and ranked eighth fastest time of the day. Strachewski was the only Falcon to advance in the finals on Friday night.

Top time of the day came from Vista Murrie’s Darion Williams (14.49) with Rancho Cucamonga’s Chris Hawkins second (14.61).

“Josh had a great race. He [had a personal record] by .3 and really competed well,” said Coach Mark Evans.

Senior Falcon Mike Duncan ran an all-time best in the 800m (1:56.50) placing second in his heat but his time was the 11th fastest of the day, not qualifying him to move forward to the finals. Duncan, who continued to PR at the close of the season, supplied his team with a continuance of points all year.     “Mike had a great race,” said Evans. “He really went out and put it on the line. He almost stole the race. He had his fastest time ever and is second alternate.”

Fastest time of the day came from La Sierra senior Edgar Cobian (1:52.60) followed by Santiago Brett Moulton (1:54.54).

In the girls, Falcon freshman Megan Melnyk ran the 17th best time of the day in the 800m (2:19.30) while teammate Cali King ran (2:23.45) earning 25th.     Claudia Sepulveda ran 19th in the 100 hurdles (16:01) behind Nitro Sophia Amodia who placed 13th (15:40).

Kayleigh Carrillo ran 15th in the 400m (59.22), 14th in the 200m (25.05), and 15th in the 4 x 400 relay (3:59.71) with teammates Emmie Walker, Megan Melnyk and Cali King. This will be a team to watch next year as all will be returning to the field.

“I thought the girls 400 and 1600 relay teams both ran well,” said Evans. “We only graduate one girl off those teams so we should be even stronger next year.”

Walker’s high jump (5-1) ranked 13th. Teammate Emily Beglarian did not make opening height of 5-1.

“Emmie Walker and Emily Beglarian had a great experience and jumped well,” said Evans. “The opening height is always higher than what they are used to.  They just need that experience.”

Nitro Michael Davis ran the fastest 100m time of the day (10.67) and ranked fourth fastest time in the 200m (21.58). Burroughs Anthony Monroy qualified for the 3200m.

But the victory of the day fell to Arcadia who will be sending seven of their 25 participants on to Mt. SAC. Representing the Apache spirit will be Alex McElwee (400 meters and 4 x 400 relay), Tony Moseley (800 meters and 4 x 400 relay), Sergio Gonzalez (1600 and 3200 meters), Alec Jen (4 x 400 relay), Nikko Ajao (4 x 400 relay), Roni Yamane (3200 meters) and Janise Qin (shot put).

  Leonard Coutin