By Leonard COUTIN

As the track and field season approached, no doubt members of the Crescenta Valley High School track team flooded local track apparel shops, looking for the right pair of shoes to wear for the launch of the season. Many first time runners were ready to see how they would fare at Saturday’s first track and field non-scoring meet against Canyon High School held on CV’s all-weather track. Though the clouds passed over the foothills and rain was expected, fortunately the weather held and the meet went off without a drop falling.

The CV boys’ varsity team was led by Kyle Dickinson who had a dual win in the 800m (2:05.4) and 1600m (4:35.6). Manav Vats led his teammates in a sweep in the 3200m running 10:11.5, Colin FitzGerald took second (10:20.0), and Robert McNelis placed third (10.22.9).

Sophomore Falcon Zach Gonzalez won the high jump with a 5-6 jump with teammate John Lapides taking second clearing the same height. Chris Cabrera had a dual win in the long jump (20-3) and triple jump (37-2). CV’s Arthur Akopyan won the shot put with a throw of (44-0).  Final score: Canyon 67 vs. CV 64.

The CV girls got a quick win from newcomer Claire Schlueter who had a dual win in the 100m (12.5) and triple jump (33-8). Senior veteran runner Megan Melnyk won the 1600m with a time of 5:17.1 and Emmie Walker took first in the high jump (5-0). Falcon Alisha Shinn won the discus with a throw of 93-1 and placed second in the shot put (32-1). Final score: Canyon 82 vs. CV 49.

Coach Evans praised his team because, for the first time in years, they gave rival Canyon High School some tough competition, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams closing the scoring gap.

“Canyon is a good team, but we competed very well against them. [This was] one of our best meets in several years,” he said. “We had great depth in the field events … [it was] one of our best field event groups overall in years.  They will really help us.”

Looking over the results, Evans commented on areas of improvement he would like to see.

“We are not real deep in the sprints which is tough,” he said adding that he is hoping to see more CV runners take to the field as other seasons, like soccer, end.

  Leonard Coutin