Junior Nalia Ortiz won first place (5:58.26) and teammate, sophomore Melissa Owens, took second (6:05.30) in the 1600m.
This article was modified on March 10.
By Leonard COUTIN
The CV Falcon track team squared off against the strong team from Santa Clarita, the Golden Valley Grizzlies, in a post-season meet on Thursday. Golden Valley sits on a bluff overlooking the valley, and is continually plagued by extreme gusts of winds. The windy conditions facilitated Falcon Head Coach Mark Evans’ goals to give his athletes a chance to experience diverse weather conditions to prepare for the long track season. The wind challenges may be mitigated in the future, though; the Grizzlies are expecting a new stadium in the lower field, which will allow their sport programs to flourish with fewer wind problems.
The Falcons girls’ and boys’ distance crews performed well despite the wind, winning many key events. For the girls, junior Nalia Ortiz and teammate Melissa Owens, a sophomore, won first and second places in the 1600m running 5:58.26 and 6:05.30. They later came back, switching places in the 800m. Owens captured the win running 2:43.24 and Ortiz placed second 2:45.88. Sophomore Falcon Jasmine Chin rounded out the top three spots (2:51.75).
The Falcons’ 11th grade boys took a triple win in the 1600m. Colin FitzGerald led the distance assault running a time of 4:42.59, followed by Zach Johnson (4:45.80) and Artin Allahvardian (4:53.43). FitzGerald continued to pound the Grizzles showing his strength by winning the 800m (2:02.44) followed by teammates Johnson (2:07.58) and Logan Neil (2:12.38). Already having an amazing day, FitzGerald won his third contest of the day, the 3200m, in a time of 10:15.58.
Girls’ senior sprint team performed well, scoring a triple win in the 100m dashes. Jessy Shelton won with a time of 13.29, neatly edging out Clair Schlueter (13.43) and teammate Kelly Im (13.78). Im won an important third position in the 200m in a time of 28.10. Schlueter scored additional valuable points when she won a double in the girls’ long jump (15-10) and the triple jump (30-09). Falcon Clair Codding took a double second in the high jump (4-8) and triple jump (30-03.50). Teammate Joyce Kang took third place in the triple jump (28-11).
The young Falcon boys’ sprinter, junior Jaedi Springfield, put the only points in for boys in the 100m dash and 200m by capturing third in both races with times of 12.07 and 24.25 against the strong Golden Valley sprint team.
Jestena Galvan won the 100m hurdles in 17.02 and took second in the 300H (50.63). Teammate Jennifer Saengsri won the event (49.49). Anthony Zaragoza won the boys’ 300H (45.28).
Roy Choe had an outstanding day taking the win in both the high jump (5-10) and long jump (18-08), followed by Jonathan Lee taking second (17-7) in the long jump. The Falcons also won the triple jump event. Lead jumper Andrew Granier placed first (38-05), followed by Roy Chow (37-07.50) and Josh Kong (36-09).
CV senior Leo Ohandjanians took a double second place position in the discus throwing 84-08 and in the shot put (36-07). The Falcon juniors scored the top two spots in the boys’ varsity pole vault. Aidan Foote took the win jumping 12-00 followed by Riley Holmquist (10-06). Emily Perkins captured second place in the girls’ pole vault jumping 8-00 with teammate Melissa Minassian clearing 7-06.
A newcomer to the track, CV freshman Samantha Moore made her debut on the track taking third in the 1600m with an impressive time of 6:07.01. She also won the 3200m running 13:25.50. Teammate Jacqueline Bau placed second running 13.38.49.
CV’s newcomer to the track, freshman Samantha Moore made her first time appearance on the track taking a 3rd in the 1600m with an excellent time of 6:07.01 and won the 3200m running 13:25.50. Teammate Jacqueline Bau scored 2nd running 13.38.49.
“This was a good meet for us,” said Evans. “I am happy with how the athletes competed. Jessy Shelton looked very good in her first race of the season in the 100. Roy Choe won again in the long jump and high jump. Jestena Galvan and Jennifer Saengsri had important wins in the hurdles. Colin FitzGerald had a good opening with three wins. Zach Johnson and Artin Allahverdian also had good days in the distances. Jaedin Springfield had a good day in the sprints in his first races of the season.”
Final boys’ score: CV 79, Golden Valley 55
Final girls’ score: CV 81, Golden Valley 54
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