The Falcons track and field team faced off against its strongest rival in the Pacific League when it met the Apaches on Arcadia’s home track and field on April 18.

Special guest to the meet was Rich Gonzalez, editor of PrepCalTrack.com, who acted as announcer for the day. Injecting historical meet stats as the meet played out added to the day’s competition.

The Apaches are known for their strength and depth in all sports. They hit hard from the start, winning both the boys (44.17) and girls (49.14) varsity 4×100 relays. Arcadia’s lead distance runner Phillip Rocha also won the 1600 (4:24.02) and the 800m (1:56.84). The Falcon distance team of Gabe Collison took second (4:28.11), Matt Manalo captured third (4:32.90) and Aaron Esparza placed fourth (4:45.14).
Apache Victor Cheung won the 110IH in 15.90 while lead CV hurdlers David Shahmanyan placed second (16.63), with Kyler Chin taking third (17.45 and Kenny Kang fourth (17.90). Shahmanyan was able to take his revenge in the 300 hurdles, winning with 41.82.

Nikko Ajao, Apache star sprinter, literally ran away in the 400 with a blazing time of 50.58 followed by teammate Joshua Liyanage (52.13), with Falcon Alex Damla taking third (53.70).

In the 100m dash, Arcadia’s sprint team of Vincent Bai (11.11) and Preston Wu (11.51) took first and second with Hye Kwang (11.56) and Byung Jun Kim landing third and fourth for the Falcons.

Middle distance team of Nick Beatty (1:59.20) captured second, Manalo (2:07.94) placed third and Andrew Hart (2:12.44) was fourth in the 800m.      Apache Bai won the 200m (22.77), with Preston Wu placing second (23.07). CV runners Hye Kwang Kim took third (24.17) and Christ Ordookhanian fourth  (24.18).
The Falcons scored a triple in the 3200 with Collison (9:44) taking the win followed by Beatty (9:56) and Esparaza (10:16).

The Apaches, except in the pole vault, continued to dominate the field events with Austin Wang (11-0) and Logan Rodgers (10-06) placing second and third behind Apache Krystian Ruiz (11-03). Juho Kim placed third in the high jump (5-06.00) behind Apache winner Jean Limfat (5-08).

“We were just trying to spread out the scoring and get as many points as possible,” said CV Coach Mark Evans. “They had too much depth in certain events and we just could not match them.  We are a young team with a lot of potential returners. We are getting stronger in each event. We should have a strong team next year.”

The Falcon girls’ varsity tried to break down the Apache defenses, but found Arcadia’s strength in sprints, hurdles, distance and field events powerful this season.
Megan Melnyk led the charge in the 1600m taking first (15:15.03) with teammate Hannah Ruby placing third (15:31.59). Apache Laura Guidolin captured second (15:21.10).

In the 800m, Melnyk (2:23.84) and Ruby (2:32.98) placed first and third respectively while Apache Glindyll Mancia took second (2:28.53).

Falcon Kayleigh Carrillo won the 400m (57.82) and placed second in the 200m (25.50) behind Apache sprinter Kyra White (25.24) who also won the 100m (12.25).

Falcon Noel Wong placed third in the 100m (13.18) and third in the long jump (15-06.00). CV’s Sarah Lapides took second (17.99) behind Arcadia’s Isabel Annino (17.39) in the 100m hurdles. Annino also won the 300H running (47.42) with Lapides placing second (48.72).

Falcon teammates Haley Witzeman (11:32.8) and Rebecca Mencia (11:33.3) took second and third in the 3200m behind Apache Laura Guidolin (11.31.1).

Falcon Rachel Nakamura won the pole vault (7-06.00) with teammate Isabel Martos-Repath placing fourth (6-00.00).

The CV team of Emmie Walker (5-04.00) and Emily Beglarian won first (5-04.00) and second (5-00.00) in the high jump.

Pacific League Prelims at Arcadia are on Friday, April 26 in the early afternoon at Arcadia. On May 3, league finals are at Arcadia.

  Leonard Coutin