A premature start leaves CVHS out of the contest.

By Leonard COUTIN

The southern CIF track and field championship finals were held on Saturday in the Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. Sac College in Whittier. Four separate divisions of talent carved their names into the record book, each claiming their right to the championship title as they competed under clear, sunny skies.     CVHS senior Josh Straschewski was the only Falcon who made his way up the ladder to the CIF finals representing his team and school.

Preparing himself for the race, Straschewski took some quick starts, backing into the blocks, making sure to hold on the set position. Perhaps it was frayed nerves, perhaps the starter held the athletes just a little longer than usual, but whatever the cause, Straschewski jumped out a fraction of a second before the sound of the gun. A “false start” was called, ending his competition.

This mistake is one that all athletes dread making and certainly not the way Straschewski saw his last race playing out.

It was only a week earlier that he ran his personal best time at the CIF prelims. He was also named Pacific League champion in the hurdles – quite an accomplishment for an athlete who only had been hurdling for two years.

Perhaps time will mellow the memories and he will recall his days as a Falcon as ones filled with accomplishment.

Those who did excel at Mt. SAC included Michael Davis of Glendale High who scored a victory in two races. He took third in the 100m (10.76) and captured second in the 200m races (21.40).

Sergio Gonzalez placed fourth in the 1600m (4:14.21) and third in the 3200m (9:14.07).

Arcadia Apache Alex Mc Elwee had a win in the 400m dash, running a personal best (49.79).
Arcadia boys ranked sixth in Division 1 team standings.

Apache Veronica Yamane took eighth in the 1600m (5:02.02) and placed seventh in the 3200m (11:12.47). Teammate Janise Qin placed seventh in the shot put (35-00). Arcadia 4 x 400 relay team placed eighth (3:22.43).

Burroughs Indian Anthony Monroy showed signs of muscle fatigue and stress while running. Unfortunately, he was not able to compete at his typical level and placed ninth (9:37.79).

Flintridge Prep, who runs in Division 4, performed well in the CIF finals. Competing in the pole vault were two freshman twins, both with aggressive attitudes. Gareth Weiss won (12-9) over his brother Barrett, who cleared the same height (a personal best), but with one miss took second place.

“Both Weiss boys cleared 12-9 at CIF finals, which was, for each, a personal best,” said Nick Ponticello, Flintridge Prep head coach. “Gareth took first in Division 4 and Barrett second. I knew they were going to have a good day because they respond well to competition, and CIF finals promised to pit them against the best vaulters in their division.

“Gareth and Barrett always have their best jumps when it counts, and it was especially rewarding for both of them to reach a new height together at the very peak of their season.”

Other Flintridge Prep standouts were sophomore Kate Kennedy who placed fifth in the 300 hurdles (45. 64) and in the boys Division 4 team standings, Flintridge Prep place third.

  Leonard Coutin