Updated: CIF finals will be held Saturday, May 19 at El Camino College. Field events will start as early at 10:30 a.m. with running events at 1 p.m. (note time change).

By Leonard COUTIN

Trabuco High School has historically been the site of the Division 1 CIF track and field prelims. Last year the high school completed the renovation of its track and on Saturday it held up despite early morning sprinkles.

The prelims were long, with five and six heats held for most of the races, and lasting more than seven hours from the start of field events to running. As the day stretched on and the sprinkles disappeared, for most athletes the key to their success was finding a shady area to rest before their event.

Crescenta Valley High School sent eight qualifying athletes to the prelims who then did their best to make the qualifying marks for the CIF finals, which will be held Saturday, May 19 at El Camino College. Field events will start as early at 10:30 a.m. with running events at 1 p.m. (note time change).

The order of each division will be: 2, 1, 4, 3 for field events and division 4, 3, 2, 1 for running.

At the end of the prelims, three Falcons earned a spot at the finals.

“We did have three boys qualify for CIF finals,” said Falcon’s head coach Mark Evans. “Colin FitzGerald and Dylan Wilbur [qualified] in the 1600 and Artin Allahverdian in the 3200. They ran very good races. Colin had a PR for the season in the 1600. Dylan and Artin both had lifetime bests in the 1600 and 3200. Colin ran 4:18.75 to win his heat. Dylan was third in his heat in 4:19.32. Artin was second in a very fast heat of the 3200 in 9:04.95.

“They need to be in the top 12 among all four divisions this week to move onto the master’s meet. I believe all are well positioned and can be in that top 12. Caitlyn [Couch] ran a season best of 2:18.80, but did not qualify in the 800. Riley Center won his flight of the shot put with one of his better throws of the season. Everyone competed well. It is a tough meet with only nine athletes advancing in each event. We competed well and are fortunate to have three athletes continue on to CIF finals.”

Senior FitzGerald had the sixth best time of the day for the 1600m, with teammate Wilbur classifying ninth. Senior Allahverdian performed well, running as the “wild cat” all year long, and grabbing the lead of the 3200m right before the bell lap. Unfortunately he was overrun at the last 30m to grab the second qualifying position with the second best time of the day.

Dylan Wilbur posted a time of 1:57.51 that placed him 20th overall. As a sophomore, he has already performed as a high-caliber runner for CV in the 800m and will have other chances to run in this event again. Junior Trinidy Charles was not able to jump as well as she did in the league finals and posted a mark of 31-09.75 in the triple jump, which ranked her 48th in the event. Junior Kristina Carrillo’s time in the 100H of 16.81 marked her 34th, beating her league time in this event. She ran the 300H in 46.92 ranking her 19th of the day.

  Leonard Coutin