By Leonard COUTIN

After five months of intense workouts and preparation, invitationals and local league track meets, the track and field season celebrated conference finals throughout the state that will lead winners into the next round of the CIF prelims. The local Pacific League track and field conference finals were held last Thursday at Arcadia High School, which boasts one of the best artificial tracks in the state. The Crescenta Valley boys completed their season finishing third while the girls placed second. Burbank boys won the conference title this year and the Arcadia girls, once again, won the conference title.

The CIF prelims will be held on Saturday, May 12 at Trabuco High School with field events starting at 11 a.m.

“We have eight moving on to the prelims,” said CVHS Head Coach Mark Evans. “I’m very happy with everyone. It was a great effort by senior Riley Center to win league in the shot put with his 47-08.50 put as well as sophomore Dylan Wilbur’s double back from 1600 to win the 800.”

Wilbur credits his teammate, senior Colin FitzGerald, with his success in running a good time in the1600m (4:22.89).

“Having such an elite athlete running by my side helped me a great deal,” Wilbur said. “FitzGerald for the last two years has encouraged me to perform better. I feel the 1600m calmed my nerves down so I could come back and run a solid 800m. Pacing with FitzGerald made my job a lot easier in the 1600m. My time of 1:55.09 in the 800m is now my personal best time.”

He added that, as he approaches the League meet, he wants to ensure that mistakes of the past aren’t repeated this year.

“I do not want to repeat last year’s mistake in the 800m and miss the chance to move on to the prelims. I like to keep to the same routine, so I did not make many changes as I prepared for the meet,” he said. “My strength is good and I look forward to running in the prelims.”

Wilbur is scheduled to run both the 1600m and 800m at the CIF prelims.

FitzGerald has already made his mark in the CV record books, accomplishing a great deal in both cross-country and track and field. He said his passion to run started as early as fourth grade, while attending Rosemont Middle School. There he ran in the LA 84 run and did well.

FitzGerald has developed a carefree attitude as challenges continue to confront him before and during his running events.

“I trust and respect Coach Evans to get me in shape for the big races. I try to not to over think my races,” he said. “We just recently added more sprint workouts to help prime my performances and legs for this week. This last week I ran both the 1600m (4:22.31) and 3200m (9:16.32) races in the League meet. I am scheduled to run them into the prelims on Saturday as well.”

He acknowledged that though his times were not as strong as he would have liked, he was moving in the right direction.

“I had a cold and did not feel as good as [I normally do.] I am still hungry for a better performance,” he said. “My objective is to qualify for the CIF finals, so time is not as important at the prelims.”

FitzGerald said that he is grateful for the support of his parents.

“My mother provides me with a balanced diet and good nourishment,” he said. “She keeps me away from junk food. And my father always stands up for me as well.”

For the girls, senior Caitlyn Couch placed third running 2:22.35 in the 800m at the League finals and said she looks forward to running in the CIF prelims.

“I feel I can run a lot better,” Couch said. “I have made the CIF prelims while at Bell-Jeff High School. I know my time can improve greatly. I hope to be able to incorporate more interval speed workouts to prepare me if I can get past the prelims this week.”

She recounted that when she was younger, she had the opportunity to run with Saugus lead 800m Mariah Castillo, who ran the 800m in 2:10.68 at the Azusa Meet of Champions at APU this year.

“We have been friends a long time,” Couch said. “I realize that moving to a rank Division 1 school is a greater challenge, but I believe my positive attitude can and will make a difference.”

Moving to the CIF prelims, CV will be sending the following athletes: senior Aidan Foote, who won the varsity pole vault clearing 12 ft, junior Kristina Carrillo, who placed third in the 100m hurdles running 16.69, senior Emily Perkins, who placed third in the pole vault clearing 9-06, junior Trinidy Charles, who took third place with a triple jump of 33-05, and senior Artin Allahverdian, who placed third in the 3200m with a time of 9:17.42. All athletes will be participating in their same event in the prelims on Saturday.

  Leonard Coutin