By Leonard COUTIN

The first round of the CIF prelims was held on Saturday at Trabuco Hills High School. Returning Falcon veterans including Megan Melnyk and Emmie Walker, who have been to the prelims before, were determined to advance to the finals one last time as CVHS seniors.

Melnyk qualified to run both the 1600m and 800m races, hoping to not only improve her standings, but also wanting to set some personal record marks. Getting off to a good start in the 1600m, Melnyk claimed a solid position in the pack. Approaching the finish line, Melnyk was fifth. Racing to a pr time of 5:01.79, her time was the seventh fastest of the day. The Great Oaks distance team of Destiny Collins had the fastest time of the day running 4:47.33; running second fastest was teammate Sydney Belus (4:53.80).

Later in the afternoon, Melnyk was scheduled to run the 800m. Running her first lap in the 60s, Melnyk gave a fine kick to take second in her heat (2:13.25), scoring the sixth overall best time that afternoon.

“Megan ran a very good 800m and came away feeling strong and confident,” said CVHS Head Coach Mark Evans. “This was a personal best for her and came after running a strong 1600m.”

Asked if Melnyk would run both races at the finals, Coach Evans said, “Megan is dropping the 1600 and will focus on the 800.”

In the high jump, Emmie Walker cleared 5-4. She will return again to the CIF finals at Cerritos College. Final height of the day was 5-6.

CV’s Sammie Phinney ran an excellent 100H scoring the seventh fastest time of the day (15.19).

“Sammie ran another personal best,” said Coach Evans. “Her start was much better and she did a great job over the hurdles. She is ready for another fast race.” The best time of the day in the 100H was clocked by Roosevelt’s Jasmyne Graham (14:28).

The Pacific League finals had other athletes that will move forward. Arcadia’s long distance star runner Phillip Rocha ran the second fastest time in the 3200 (9:05.74). Arcadia girls 4 x 100 relay ran 47.11 and their 4 x 400 relay 3:52.24, both scoring the top seventh best time of the day. Apache Daijuan Buchanan cleared 6-4 in the high jump, and Apache Rebecca Troescher ran 57.28 scoring the nine best time in the 400. Burroughs Sarah Prystupa had the second best pole vault jump at 10-06 with teammate Kent Truong clearing 14-06. Burbank’s Julia Newton cleared (10-6) in the pole vault.

The CIF finals will be held May 23 at Cerritos College starting with pole vault at 10 a.m., other field events at 11a.m. and running at 1 p.m.

Omit phrase.     Garrett Boulais in the 3200 placed 12th (9:16.82). He did not make it. He had to be 9th not 12th.

  Leonard Coutin