No Surprises When CV Meets Arcadia

~Track~

Photos by Leonard COUTIN Claudia Sepulveda won the 100m hurdles in 16.1.
Photos by Leonard COUTIN
Claudia Sepulveda won the 100m hurdles in 16.1.

By Leonard COUTIN

Returning from Easter spring break, the Falcons track and field athletes faced one of their toughest opponents and strongest rivals in the final dual meet of the season – the Arcadia Apaches.

Falcon coaches were in agreement that every point counted in the April 18 contest if CV had any chance to defeat Arcadia, but despite a strong effort the Falcons fell to Arcadia 7-0.

“Arcadia is pretty balanced in all events on both the boys and girls side,” confirmed head coach Mark Evans.

Coming into the meet, the Apaches boys and girls varsity squads brought the satisfaction of having a solid 6-0 season.

“We try to make sure that our runners are running their best at the end of the season and, luckily, this meet is always at the end of our league season so we can be at our best against CV,” said Arcadia coach Christopher Schultz. “I don’t think we have done anything differently for this meet, we just try to run our best every time out.”

And that is what the Apaches boys and girls did, winning 11 out of 16 events to take the Pacific League championship title.

The first race of the day generally sets the stage for the outcome of most meets. The Apaches won the 4x100m relay (43.8) with the Falcons running 45.0. Star Apache runner Alex McElwee individually had a triple gold victory in the 100m (10.8), 200m (22.0) and long jump (22-0).

Coach Schultz was pleased with the time.

“Our boys 4×400 relay has one of the fastest times in the state so far this year,” he said. They won with a time of 3:26.5.

Falcons field participants came through with some tough wins against the Apaches. Banking points for CV were Averill Parker’s discus throw (117’ 3”) and shot-put ((37-1), Tyler Bradshaw’s pole vault (12-1), and second place triple jump (38-4.5) and Tommy Hwang’s win the high jump.

Senior Josh Straschewski came through with a personal dual win, running the 110H hurdles in 15.2 and 300H in 40.6. The final boys score was 86-50.

James Maturan took second in the 100m (11.) and Justin Springfield placed third (11.2). Maturan took third in the 200m (22.9) with Arcadia taking the first two slots.

Falcon sophomore Kayleigh Carrillo has been a valued leader for CV, running every sprint race and relay this year to add valuable points each meet.     “Kayleigh is pretty self-motivated and competitive,” said Coach Evans.  “We don’t have to say much to her to get her ready to compete. From a fitness standpoint, she is training well and is as strong as she can be.”

That strength was apparent with a personal dual win in the 200m (25.3) and the 400m dash (58.9). Carrillo also anchored the 4×100 relay, which CV won due to Arcadia stepping out of their zone for the baton exchange. Falcons teammate Claudia Sepulveda also put some points on the board, winning both the 100 hurdles (12.7) and 300H (46.7). CV’s Emmie Walker had a personal best high jump (5-2) winning with Emily Beglarian taking second (5-0).

In the distance races, Cali King took third in the 1600m (5:28.7) with Megan Melnyk (2:25.7) and Brooke Moultrie taking second in the 3200 (111:51.9).

Apache Veronica Yamane and teammate Michele Lai both had a dual win. Yamane won the 1600m (5:11.2) and the 3200m (11:29). Lai took a win in the long jump (16½) and the triple jump (34-8).

“I like to watch kids compete. Whether it’s the athletes on our team or those competing for CV, I like to see someone giving their all in the heat of a competition,” said Coach Schultz. “This meet generally brings that out and so it is always great to watch.”

CV girls lost to Arcadia 90-46.

Looking ahead, on April 27 will be the league prelims at Arcadia and on Friday, May 4, the league finals are also at Arcadia.

The CIF prelims are on May 12 at Trabuco Hills with the finals at Cerritos on May 19.

The Masters meet takes place on May 25 at Cerritos and on June 1-2 is the state CIF meet at Fresno.

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