By Leonard COUTIN

On May 13, the Division 1 CIF prelims sectionals were hosted by Trabuco Hills High School on its recently completed state-of-the-art facility. With three to four heats for each event, the strength of the athletes was tested as the events stretched more than six hours. The strategy of most competing was made clear: to run or jump as hard as one needed in order to make the qualifying time or placement to advance to the CIF finals. Finals will be held on Saturday, May 20 at the Cerritos Community College.

Division 1 is one of the strongest sections in CIF, which makes it hard for competitors to advance. The challenges were apparent as Falcons attempted to qualify but continued to suffer heartbreak despite posting some good results.

Falcons Head Coach Mark Evans managed to put a positive slant on the day’s results.

“We had a difficult day,” he said. “Some bright spots were Eileen Walker clearing 5-1 and Roy Choe jumping well. Roy achieved a PR in long jump (21-09.50) and clearing 6-01 in the high jump. He had to run back and forth between the two events. The girls’ 400 (4×100) relay beat the school record [of 49.66] by .02. The team is comprised of Brianna Domingo, Jennifer Saengsri, Jessy Shelton and Clair Schlueter. Kristina Carrillo ran a lifetime best in 300 hurdles (46.98). Dylan ran a solid race in 800 (2:00.01). He gained valuable experience. Zach Johnson also ran solid (4:30.06). He gained a lot of experience.”

Expectations were high that Colin FitzGerald would advance, but unfortunately he did not.

“Colin had gotten sick a few weeks ago [and] just has not recovered from that illness. He gave it his best effort,” Evans said. “He tried to do all the right things in the race. He was just worn down from being sick. He ran 4:29.36 in the 1600 and 9:54.93 in the 3200.”

Crescenta Valley High School has a long-standing history of success in its track and field program and though Saturday’s athletes may have had an off day, those returning for the next season will be even better prepared to carry on a tradition of success.

  Leonard Coutin