Last Friday, during the early afternoon the Pacific League Track and Field Division 1 Prelims were hosted at Arcadia High School. CV faced off against their rivals schools; Arcadia, Burbank, Burroughs Glendale, Hoover, Muir and Pasadena. This is a time that all the other Leagues in California follow the same guidelines as they work their way to their League finals. Many athletes hope to make their way thru the finals and qualify for the CIF qualifying competition as well.  The most important idea that Coach Evans stressed, “Our focus was to qualify.  I wanted kids who did not have a chance to qualify to go on, run their fastest races.”  The Falcons made an excellent showing and will have to continue to work hard to maintain a strong League status at the Pacific League Finals held Friday night, May 3rd at Arcadia starting at 6pm for field events.

Falcon boy varsity runners that qualified for races included: Gabe Collison running the 1600m (4:23.34), and the 800m (2:02.29). Collison has decided to drop both events and only run the 3200m at the League finals. Nick Beatty running the 1600m (4:31.98), and Matt Manalo (4:29.89), Beatty and teammate both qualified in the 800m (1:59.14) as well as Manalo (2:00.96). Aaron Esparaza qualified for the 1600m (4:36.93) and will run the 3200m at the finals as well. David Shahamanyan qualified for the 110m 16:54) and the 300IH (41.86) and teammate Kyler Chin qualified (17.47). Freshman Hye Kwang Kim will run in the 100m (11.88) against Glendale star Michael Davis (10.97). Alex Damla placed in the 400m (53.33). Both Hye Kwang Kim (23.93) and teammate Christ Ordookhanian (24.00) qualified for the 200m.

The Falcon girl’s varsity runners that qualified for races included; Hannah Ruby (5:21.57) Megan Melnyk (5:22.82) and Haley Witzeman (5:43.10) all running the 1600m.  Melnyk (2:22.95), Ruby (2:30.85) qualified as well for the 800m as well as teammate Cali King (2:31.75). Sarah Lapides (17:60), Senior Jenna Schroeder (first time out this year) ran (19:18) and Cassandra Huezo (19:35) qualified for the 100H. Sarah as well will run the 300H (50:08). Kayleigh Carrillo (57.26), Emmie Walker 1:00.03) and Courtney Iannello (1:02.27) qualified for the 400m. Carrillo (26.13) and Walker (27.48) as well qualified for the 200m.  Noel Wong qualified for the 100m dash (13.75).  Coach Evans expressed, “We had a good number of athletes qualify.  I am very happy with how we competed”.

All field events for varsity and Frosh Soph will be witnessed at League finals as well as the 3200m race. Top boys in 3200 are Phillip Rocha, Gabe Collison, Bernie Corea (Burbank).  Mitchell Pratt (Arcadia) is scheduled to run.  Has not raced because of stress fracture this season.  Kenneth Trejo (Hoover), Gabriel Ellman (Burbank), Jeremy Zadoorian (Hoover), Elliot Choe (Burbank), Aaron Esparza (CV), Ethan Moskowitz (Burbank).  All have been under 10:00 this season in 3200.

Girls–Gracia Innocentia (Burroughs), Haley Witzeman(CV), Alice Yang(Arcadia), Leana Setian(Glendale) is scheduled to run but has been battling an injury.  Only other girl under 12:00 this year in race is Tansica Sunkamaneevongse (Arcadia).

The final outcome for the League resulted in Arcadia won boy’s and girl’s varsity, and frosh Soph titles.  CV girl’s varsity was 2nd.  CV boy’s varsity was third.

  Leonard Coutin