By Leonard COUTIN

Cerritos College hosted the CIF finals in track and field that began on Saturday morning and lasted until evening. Each event was run four times to identify winners in each division. Spectators witnessed some of the finest athletes battling for placement at the CIF masters meet that is taking place on Friday, May 30 at Cerritos College starting 6 p.m. The CIF masters will be a contest that allows the best in each division to face off with the hope of qualifying for the CIF state meet on June 6-7 at Buchanan High School in Fresno.

Falcon Megan Melnyk placed in the finals last year (2:13.34) and worked hard this season to move forward to masters.

“At CIF finals, I just wanted to run a good race and a good time. I knew it was going to be competitive, so I tried just to keep calm,” Melnyk explained.     Determined to not let anyone jeopardize her position as the pack moved quickly, running a 55.6 first lap, Melnyk maintained her pace heading down the backside of the track. Making her move at the 600m mark, she knew this was the point to move past her competitors. Reaching the straightaway, she sprinted towards the finish line running 2:15.55.

“She had a great race,” said Head Coach Mark Evans. “She was in good position coming off the last curve and ran a great final 100 meters. She had the strength and speed to carry her past three other girls to [place] third.”

Now Melnyk looks ahead to the masters meet.

“I just want to run my best at the masters meet,” she said. “I know it will be fast, so I’m praying for a good time and place.”

Though CV had strong showings in many of the events, Melynk will be returning solo to Cerritos.

“Megan is our only qualifier,” Evans said. “Gabe [Collison] ran a good race. It was slow and tactical. He just could not move the last 600 with the others.

“Emmie [Walker] had some good jumps at 5-5 and just barely missed.  This is her first time in CIF finals, so she gained a lot of experience. The girls relay team had a great race. All ran really well. This was a season best time and second fastest time in school history.”
Those advancing through the CIF competition will compete against 350-plus schools from across Southern California.

  Leonard Coutin