By Leonard COUTIN
CV managed to qualify three athletes for the CIF track and field finals being held Saturday, May 22 at Cerritos College. Field events will start at 10 a.m. with running at 1 p.m. Entry cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students with school identification.
Distance runners Cali King and Claudia Pham will be representing CVHS as will shot putter Melanie Samvallian.
“We are a young team so I was not sure how many we could have qualify for CIF finals,” said Head Coach Mark Evans. “To have three going on is great. Cali King and Claudia Pham have been improving all season and really put together good races on Saturday [May 15].”
King is one of CV’s youngest distance stars. At the prelims she ran one of her best season times at 5:08.32, placing her as the eighth fastest time Saturday afternoon.
Pham is an eleventh grader who trained for years running alongside her sister, CV alumnus Carlotta Pham who now runs for the University of Irvine. At the prelims, she ran the 3200m varsity race in 11:14.87 to qualify as ninth.
A seasoned basketball player, tenth grade student Samvallian is now making her mark in the shot and discuss throw.