Track Prelims Go Smoothly for CV - Crescenta Valley Weekly

By Leonard COUTIN

Arcadia High School hosted the Pacific League track and field prelims on its nine-lane track on Friday. There were several heats for the varsity and frosh/soph events that took approximately six hours to complete. The final event of the day was the boys’ and girls’ 3200m for the frosh/soph.

All varsity field events were excluded from the long day of activities and will take place on Friday. Only the frosh/soph field events were rated for positions and will be concluded tomorrow at the finals as well.

“This team has worked hard this season and this will be a great culmination for those who do not qualify for CIF,” said Mark Evans, head coach for Crescenta Valley High School. “For those qualifying it is a great start to the second half of the season.”

Senior Armin Cardenas ran the second fastest time in the 800m (2:01.64) to win his heat.

The Falcons varsity boys qualified seven athletes in multiple events and 11 girls qualified for the league finals in the section running events. These numbers will likely increase with the completion of the 3200m and all field events.

During the season, the Falcons’ top scoring athletes have trained diligently for the May 6 competition. The journey to the CIF sections that follow the finals are on the minds of every varsity athlete. Sophomore Colin FitzGerald (4:26.31), (2:04.12) and senior Kyle Dickinson (4:31.25), (2:04.12) qualified in both the 1600m and 800m races. Senior Armin Cardenas ran second to the fastest time in the 800m (2:01.64) to win his heat. Apache star runner, senior Phillip Rocha, ran 2:01.41 in his heat. Rocha also had the fastest 1600m time (4:13.71). Senior Kenny Kang qualified both in the 110HH (17.07) and had the best time in the 300IH (40.87). Luis Flores will also move forward in the 300IH running 44.99, the eighth best time of the day.

Senior exchange student Hanna Leines ran the 800m in a time of 2:35.99 to qualify for the finals on Friday night.

Senior Hye Kwang Kim had the fifth fastest time in the 100m running 11.90 with teammate junior Nick Tralango 12.06 having the ninth best time of the day.

The Falcon girls also made a strong showing in the heats. Sprinter junior Jessy Shelton, who has been a versatile athlete for the team running both the sprints and hurdles, had the second fastest time in the 100m (13:12) winning her heat, and qualifying both in the 100H (17.96) and 300H (49:61). Senior Elizabeth Filipian had the second best time in the 100H (16.65), along with juniors Trisha Tan (17.53), Jestena Galvan (17.85) and Jennifer Saengsri (17.93). Three of her teammates, who are also juniors, moved forward in the 100m: Brianna Domingo (13.32), Clair Schlueter (13.42) and Kelly Im (13.58). Im also moves forward in the 200m (27.91) having the eighth fastest time of the day.

The Falcons move five athletes forward in the 300IH: Filipian, Shelton, Saengsri and Tan. Senior Grace McAuley, who has been a major supporter of the Falcons in points and leadership, qualified in the 1600m running a seemingly effortless 5:22.64, which was the sixth fastest time, and may run the 3200m as well. Senior Hanna Leines will move forward in the 800m (2:35.99).

In the boys 3200m, Falcon sophomore Artin Allahverdian took fourth in the League finals of the 3200m (10:12.05).

Falcon sophomore Artin Allahverdian took fourth in the League finals of the 3200m (10:12.05) behind three Apache runners who swept first through third places. Anthony Segura won with a time of 10:0012.

CV freshman So Jeong Kang took 12th in the girls 3200m race. Burroughs’ Sapphire Sandoval won with a time of 11:52.44.

Pacific League finals will be held tomorrow, May 6 at Arcadia High School. Field events will start at 5 p.m. with running beginning at 6 p.m.