By Leonard COUTIN

The Falcons got a strong indication of their strengths and weakness when they greeted the Division 2 Golden Valley team on Thursday in a non-league scoring track and field match. Competing against top rated Golden Valley resulted in many fine early times and field results that gave the Falcons a benchmark of their progress.

Against the Grizzlies the Falcon varsity boys felt the pressure, both in the sprints and middle distance, but managed to overcome their opponent. Golden Valley, however, was a strong distance contender.

Top CV distance runners, sophomore Colin FitzGerald and senior Philip Thomas, did not take the lead in their races. FitzGerald took second in the 1600 (4:38.2) while Thomas placed second in the 3200 (9:44.4). Senior Kyle Dickinson looked strong winning the 800m (2:02.5). Senior Kenny Kang took a dual win in the 110HH (15.4) and in the 300 intermediate hurdles (40.3).

Falcon Senior Hye Kwan Kim brought in many needed points taking first in the 100 in 11.1, second place in the triple jump (38-0), and second in the long jump (19-4.75).

Helping the score in the the field events were CV seniors Austin White who won the pole vault (11-6). John Lapides scored a winning jump of 5-10 in the high jump. Returning veteran Arthur Akopyan won the shot put with a throw of 47-9 and Ethan Walch won the triple jump at 38-5. Junior Josh Kong won the long jump (19-6.5).

Final boys’ score: CV 81 – GV 55.

Senior Grace McAuley scored a valuable dual win in the 1600 and 3200 races. Winning with a PR mark of 5:33.8 in the 1600, McAuley also won the 3200 (12.28) and ran the 4 x 1600 relay. Falcon junior Jennifer Saengsri took home first in the 100HH (16.9) and placed an important third in 300LH (51.9).

Sophomore Jessy Shelton, who was successful running the sprints last year, placed second in the 100m (12.8).

The Falcon varsity girls did well in the field events. Junior Sydney Pontius won the pole vault with an 8-6 jump, while teammate Emily Perkins, a sophomore, also jumped the same height to take second place (receiving more attempts). Sophomore Claire Codding provided the only triple gold victory of the day for the CV team. She won the high jump at (4-8), the triple jump (31-2), and long jump (13-10).

Final girls’ score: Golden Valley 70 – CV 61.

Coach Mark Evans praised his teams and how well they scored against Golden Valley.

“I am very pleased with where we are at this time,” he said. “We had some great efforts and we are ahead of where we were at this time last year.”

CV hosts Glendale and Muir today, Thursday, March 10 at 3:30 p.m.

  Leonard Coutin