Falcons Split Win with Bulldogs - Crescenta Valley Weekly

By Leonard COUTIN

Hosting the first league tri-meet last Thursday against the Burbank Bulldogs and the Hoover Tornados, the CV Falcons faced one of the league’s strongest opponents in the Bulldogs. The Falcons showed signs of early success in the meet, winning the 400m relay with a time of 46.22. Gabe Collison won the 1600m with a time of 4:28.1 and took second in the 3200m behind Bulldog Gabriel Ellman (9:40).

In the 800m, Matt Manalo took first with an early season best time of 1:58.9 edging teammate Nick Beatty (1:59.1) at the finish.

Coach Mark Evans was pleased with the victory.

“I was impressed with what Matt and Nick ran in the 800,” he said. “It was a great race and a good indication of their strength.”

But that was the limit of the boys’ success as the Bulldogs came on strong in the other events, though both CV and Burbank won a 100-point spread over Hoover.

The outlook for Hoover may improve as it recently had its track reconditioned and reopened.

“It’s hard to prepare a program without a track to run on,” said Hoover coach Jack Sallakian. “We just got back on the track last week.”

Final boys’ varsity score was Burbank 98 to CV 29; CV 108 to Hoover 27.

The Falcons girls celebrated victories in bringing home the gold for CV. Megan Melnyk and Kayleigh Carrillo both enjoyed dual gold success in their events. Melnyk won the 1600m (5:17.5) and the 800m (2:26). Carrillo won the 400m (58.59) and the 200m (25:34) and participated in the 400m relay.

The 1600m relay shows the exchange from Emmy Walker in the third leg to anchor Kayleigh Carrillo.

CV’s Emmy Walker won the high jump (5-02) and helped score points in the 100m. Sarah Lapides won the 100H (17:16), and took second in the 300LH (49:72) behind teammate Grace Keller (49:31). Keller also took second in the high jump (4-10). Teammate Freshman Clair Schlueter won the long jump (14-10).

“I am impressed with our depth on the girls’ side and we were able to score points in all event areas,” said Evans.

The Falcons relay team of Melnyk, Walker, Carrillo and Courtney Iannello concluded the meet with a win in the 1600m relay (4:05.90).

Final girls; varsity score, CV 72, Burbank 64; CV 133 to Hoover 4.