When you’re the leader in seven separate categories in track and field, you automatically go to the head of the class.
That’s where Eastlake sophomore Isabelle Taylor-Dixon finds herself at the midpoint of the 2026 Metro Conference season — leading the field in the 100-meter dash (12.45), 100 low hurdles (14.55), 300 low hurdles (45.22), high jump (5-0) and triple jump (37-10.25).
She’s also ran legs on two first-place relay units for the Lady Titans — 50.03 in the 4×100 and 3:58.77 in the 4×400.
Not only does Taylor-Dixon top the statistical leaders in those seven events (five running events and two field events), she does so by a significant margin in three of them.
Can anyone catch her? So far, she’s pretty much had her away, though she does rank second in the girls 200 dash (25.79).
It’s an incredible story that’s unfolding in South County.
“Last season she competed more in a utility role in a number of different events,” EHS co-coach Francine Koopman said. “Now she’s come into her own.”
Taylor-Dixon has excelled from the get-go this season, winning four individual events in Eastlake’s opening two league dual meets against Otay Ranch and Bonita Vista.
Taylor-Dixon was among four top Eastlake athletes who competed in the elite Arcadia Invitational on April 11. She competed in the 100 low hurdles (18th place, 14.95), 4×400 relay (seventh place, 3:58.77) and triple jump (fifth place, 37-7.5).
Teammates on the 4×400 relay at Arcadia included senior Samara Maldonado, junior Nala McFadden and sophomore Kareli Rascon.
Rascon tops Metro competitors in the girls 800 run (2:11.82) while ranking second in the 400 dash (57.00)
Eastlake co-coach David Koopman said the Arcadia Invitational now operates on an invitation-only level. “It’s getting more difficult to get into that meet each year, so it’s even more prestigious to get in.”
Other conference leaders in multiple events this season include Eastlake senior Ryan Branco (boys 100, 200 dashes), Olympian senior Jack Degenhardt (boys 1600, 3200 runs), Mater Deri Catholic senior Elise Datuin (girls 200, 400 dashes), Bonita Vista senior Renee Khuong (girls 1600, 3200 runs) and Otay Ranch junior Mareane Savaiinaea (girls shot put, discus throw).
Degenhardt won both the 1600 and 3200 at last year’s Metro-Mesa League track finals and started the 2025-26 interscholastic season by winning the league cross country championship.
He’s posted some encouraging times thus far this season, including 4:22.98 in the 1600 at the 45th Mt. Carmel Invitational on March 28 and 9:39.04 in the 3200 at the Mt. Carmel Field and Distance Carnival on March 7.
“I’m doing well in the 1600, 800 and 3200 but Micah (junior teammate Micah Schenko) is on my butt in the 3200,” Degenhardt said. “I’m starting to get into that peaking phase — 9:25 (3200) and 1:57 (800) to go to state.”
Schenko is not far behind in the 3200 at 9:43.33, another good time.
“I had a slow start at the start of the season but am just now starting to feel good,” said Schenko, who has a 4:32.57 time in the 1600.
“My goal is to get into the 4:20s and 9:20s by the end of the season.”
Metro Conference Track & Field leaders
(Through April 18)
Boys Leaders
Running Events
100 dash: Ryan Branco (Eastlake) 10.84, Braylon Shumate (Mar Vista) 10.84, Mekhi Oluwa (Mater Dei Catholic) 10.89, Juan Navarrete (Eastlake) 10.94, William Moreland (Mar Vista) 11.05
200 dash: Ryan Branco (Eastlake) 22.09, Braylon Shumate (Mar Vista) 22.12, Michael Marquez (Chula Vista) 22.16, William Moreland (Mar Vista) 22.18, Devin Bacon (Otay Ranch) 22.37
400 dash: Devin Bacon (Otay Ranch) 49.81, Jeremiah White (Eastlake) 51.53, Sebastian Vargas (Eastlake) 51.84, Jacob Lovell (Eastlake) 52.47, Elijah Jordan (Otay Ranch) 52.70
800 run: Carlos Martinez (Southwest) 2:00.1, Jack Degenhardt (Olympian) 2:01.49, Kaden Williams (Eastlake) 2:02.14, Isaac Khuong (Bonita Vista) 2:02.63, Jalen Winn (Eastlake) 2:02.69
1600 run: Jack Degenhardt (Olympian) 4:22.98, Carlos Martinez (Southwest) 4:25.51, Anthony Manquero-Mendez (Eastlake) 4:29.00, Santiago Blanco (Otay Ranch) 4:29.21, Micah Schenko (Olympian) 4:32.57
3200 run: Jack Degenhardt (Olympian) 9:39.04, Micah Schenko (Olympian) 9:43.33, Santiago Blanco (Otay Ranch) 9:45.90, Grady Stephens (Otay Ranch) 9:49.92, Amadeous Lozano (Sweetwater) 9:50.80
110 high hurdles: Jasir Fontenot (Mater Dei Catholic) 13.82, Mehki Oluwa (Mater Dei Catholic) 14.98, Ryder von Guenthner (Bonita Vista) 15.56, Mekielle Hollinquest (Otay Ranch) 16.37, Isaac Bailon (Olympian) 16.56
300 intermediate hurdles: Ryan don Guenthner (Bonita Vista) 39.87, Darius Gibbs (Mater Dei Catholic) 41.59, Isaac Bailon (Olympian) 42.13, Tristan Flood (Mar Vista) 42.16, Bryson Straukas (Eastlake) 42.45
4×100 relay: Otay Ranch 43.37, Eastlake 43.38, Mater Dei Catholic 43.45, Olympian 43.70, Mar Vista 44.63
4×400 relay: Eastlake 3:28.18, Otay Ranch 3:33.85, Olympian 3:36.96, Mar Vista 3:38.09, Hilltop 3:38.22
4×800 relay: Otay Ranch 8:30.25, Hilltop 8:37.98, Olympian 8:39.41, Eastlake 8:41.20, Sweetwater 8:41.67
Field Events
Shot put: Aden Knox (Otay Ranch) 48-6.75, Nathan Kemp (Eastlake) 46-3, Julian Carl Devera (Olympian) 44-11.5, Javian Ceja (Eastlake) 43-7.5, Julio Andrade (Chula Vista) 43-3
Discus throw: David Branco (Eastlake) 150-4, Solomon Baeza (Mater Dei Catholic) 145-9, James Ayekof (Olympian) 140-6, Nathan Kemp (Eastlake) 137-7, Caleb Mack (Bonita Vista) 128-5
High jump: Jerry Stokes (Bonita Vista) 6-6, Keylen McLendon (Otay Ranch) 6-1, Dane von Guenthner (Otay Ranch) 6-0, Alec Morlett (Eastlake) 5-10, Kalen Bradford (Olympian) 5-10
Pole vault: Dane con Guenthner (Otay Ranch) 16-3, Aidan Burgar (Eastlake) 13-6, Isaac Bankhead (Otay Ranch) 11-9, Jayson Monzon (Otay Ranch) 11-0, Nicolas Wise (Bonita Vista) 10-8
Long jump: Mekhi Oluwa (Mater Dei Catholic) 23-4, Ryder von Guenthner (Bonita Vista) 21-4.75, Dane von Guenthner (Otay Ranch) 21-3, Walter Ignacio (Olympian) 20-10, Jorgani Estrada (Olympian) 20-9.75
Triple jump: Giovanni Ware (Olympian) 44-2.5, Mekhi Oluwa (Mater Dei Catholic) 43-6, Keylen McLendon (Otay Ranch) 42-10, Nicolas Wise (Bonita Vista) 42-2, Frederick Bueno (Bonita Vista) 40-9
Girls Leaders
Running Events
100 dash: Isabelle Taylor-Dixon (Eastlake) 12.45, Aubrey Tibayan (Olympian) 12.51, Mia Ramirez (Bonita Vista) 12.71, Jessica Meraz (Chula Vista) 12.81, Samara Maldonado (Eastlake) 12.83
200 dash: Elise Datuin (Mater Dei Catholic) 25.42, Isabelle Taylor-Dixon (Eastlake) 25.79, Mia Ramirez (Bonita Vista) 26.00, Kareli Rascon (Eastlake) 26.07, Samara Maldonado (Eastlake) 26.54
400 dash: Elise Datuin (Mater Dei Catholic) 56.85, Kareli Rascon (Eastlake) 57.00, Kaeilani Hollins (Otay Ranch) 1:00.53, Alexi Montoya (Sweetwater) 1:00.65, Samara Maldonado (Eastlake) 1:01.28
800 run: Kareli Rascon (Eastlake) 2:11.82, Sofia Carrillo (Otay Ranch) 2:24.11, Renee Khuong (Bonita Vista) 2:24.99, Isabel Lara (Olympian) 2:27.29, Mila Arreola (Bonita Vista) 2:29.11
1600 run: Renee Khuong (Bonita Vista) 5:11.08, Isabel Lara (Olympian) 5:18.83, Charlize Cru (Eastlake) 5:29.18, Miah Bermudez (San Ysidro) 5:32.26, Isabella Nazario (Eastlake) 5:34.44
3200 run: Renee Khuong (Bonita Vista) 11:36.61, Isabel Lara (Olympian) 11:39.22, Isabella Nazario (Eastlake) 12:04.65, Bethlehem George (Bonita Vista) 12:14.79, Asha Mohamed (Eastlake) 12:31.80
100 low hurdles: Isabelle Taylor-Dixon (Eastlake) 14.55, Stephanie Adegeye (Otay Ranch) 16.95, Leila Sepulveda (Sweetwater) 17.13, Celeste Hardemon (Olympian) 17.16, Paola Williams (Hilltop) 17.62
300 low hurdles: Isabelle Taylor-Dixon (Eastlake) 45.22, Stephanie Adegeye (Otay Ranch) 49.12, Paola Williams (Hilltop) 49.58, Clara Sullivan (Eastlake) 49.96, Maile Lee (Otay Ranch) 50.26
4×100 relay: Eastlake 50.03, Bonita Vista 50.49, Otay Ranch 50.96, Olympian 51.07, Mater Dei Catholic 51.24
4×400 relay: Eastlake 3:58.77, Sweetwater 4:18.26, Hilltop 4:20.02, Otay Ranch 4:20.03, Olympian 4:21.12
4×800 relay: Otay Ranch 10:35.67, Eastlake 10:40.07, Hilltop 10:46.80, Sweetwater 11:03.70
Field Events
Shot put: Mareane Savaiinaea (Otay Ranch) 35-2.5, Breana Bell (Otay Ranch) 30-2, Janiaya Banks (Otay Ranch) 28-11.5, Julia Dela Cruz (Otay Ranch) 28-11, Myreliah Fierro (Hilltop) 28-7
Discus throw: Mereane Savaiinaea (Otay Ranch) 119-5, Julia Dela Cruz (Otay Ranch) 105-5, Marely Ramirez (Southwest) 104-10, Maelanie Magale (Otay Ranch) 103-5, Jaidyn Lee (Bonita Vista) 92-3
High jump: Isabelle Taylor-Dixon (Eastlake) 5-0, Jalyiah Hawthorne (Mater Dei Catholic) 4-10, Jalyssa Hawthorne (Mater Dei Catholic) 4-10, Analiah Williams (Otay Ranch) 4-9, Victoria Oderlin (Mater Dei Catholic) 4-9
Pole vault: Eva Quinonez (San Ysdiro) 12-3, Jordin DeOcampo (Eastlake) 9-1, Nevaeh Thammakhotvongxay (Olympian) 9-0, Beatrice Timple (Otay Ranch) 8-6, Koey Wu (Otay Ranch) 7-6
Long jump: Viviana Villalpando (Hilltop) 16-5, Kristelle Gonzalez (Mater Dei Catholic) 16-4, Clara Sullivan (Eastlake) 15-10, Sadie Manzo (Eastlake) 15-10, Belen Ponce (Chula Vista) 15-10
Triple jump: Isabelle Taylor-Dixon (Eastlake) 37-10.25, Kristele Gonzalez (Mater Dei Catholic) 35-5, Clara Sullivan (Eastlake) 34-3, Sadie Manzo (Eastlake) 34-0, Ella Gomez (Bonita Vista) 32-9.75
San Diego Section Power Rankings
Baseball
Division I: 1. Cathedral Catholic 18-1, 2. Rancho Bernardo 14-2, 3. San Marcos 12-6, 4. Patrick Henry 13-6, 5. Granite Hills 14-4, 6. Eastlake 12-6, 7. Pt. Loma 10-6-1, 8. Del Norte 11-7, 9. Southwest El Centro 16-5, 10. La Costa Canyon 7-10, 11. Torrey Pines 10-8, 12. Mt. Carmel 8-7-1, 13. St. Augustine 8-11, 14. Madison 10-5, 15. La Jolla Country Day 10-8, 16. Carlsbad 7-10, 17. Coronado 4-10, 18. San Ysidro 7-11, 19. Sage Creek 5-13, 20. San Pasqual 4-12
Division II: 1. Bonita Vista 14-5, 2. Mission Hills 10-8, 3. Poway 9-9, 4. Santa Fe Christian 10-7, 5. Clairemont 16-3, 6. Helix 9-10, 7. Brawley 12-7, 8. Scripps Ranch 9-9-1, 9. Grossmont 9-8, 10. Calexico 9-7, 11. Christian 11-7-1, 12. University City 8-12, 13. El Camino 8-10, 14. Mira Mesa 8-11, 15. Maranatha Christian 10-9, 16. Montgomery 8-9, 17. Bishop’s 9-8, 18. Mission Bay 9-10, 19. El Capitan 7-12-1, 20. Escondido 4-13
Division III: 1. Palo Verde Valley 18-1-1, 2. Westview 14-4, 3. Ramona 12-5, 4. Otay Ranch 13-4, 5. Mater Dei Catholic 8-4, 6. Imperial 8-7, 7. Classical Academy 9-6, 8. Vista 10-6, 9. Santana 5-12, 10. Lincoln 6-1, 11. Hilltop 8-8, 12. Olympian 11-8, 13. Monte Vista 10-8, 14. La Jolla 8-11, 15. Rancho Buena Vista 6-13, 16. Fallbrook 3-14-1. 17. West Hills 0-7, 18. Valley Center 3-15, 19. Valhalla 1-14, 20. Steele Canyon 5-13
Division IV: 1. Mission Vista 11-7, 2. San Dieguito Academy 12-8, 3. Central Union 7-11-1, 4. Holtville 10-9, 5. Francis Parker 10-5, 6. Foothills Christian 14-7, 7. Mountain Empire 7-5, 8. Oceanside 6-10-1, 9. Escondido Charter 8-4-1, 10. High Tech San Diego 9-5, 11. San Diego 7-9-1, 12. Mar Vista 8-11, 13. Southwest 12-9, 14. Sweetwater 6-10, 15. Morse 4-14, 16. Chula Vista 7-13, 17. Canyon Crest Academy 0-14, 18. Rock Academy 1-10, 19. Mt. Miguel 4-12, 20. Kearny 2-16
Division V: 1. Coastal Academy 13-5, 2. Pacific Ridge 8-3, 3. Canyon Hills 14-5, 4. Guajome Park 2-2, 5. Chula Vista Learning Community Charter 6-1-1, 6. Orange Glen 7-6, 7. Castle Park 10-11, 8. Bayfront Charter 0-1, 9. Crawford 5-9, 10. Hoover 5-13, 11. High Tech Chula Vista 0-8, 12. Gompers Prep 4-5, 13. El Cajon Valley 0-11, 14. High Tech Mesa 6-3
Division V-AA: 1. Calvin Christian 7-2, 2, Borrego Springs 6-4, 3. Victory Christian Academy 5-6-1, 4. Liberty Charter 6-6, 5. St. Joseph Academy 5-5, 6. Vincent Memorial 2-3, 7. Army-Navy Academy 2-3,8. Julian 1-5, 9. Calipatria 2-5, 10. Warner 0-1, 11. Ocean View Christian Academy 5-4, 12. Bonsall 2-12, 13. Tri-City Christian 5-3
Softball
Division I: 1. Mater Dei Catholic 18-2, 2. Bonita Vista 14-3, 3. Escondido Charter 13-4, 4. Pt. Loma 13-7, 5. Mission Hills 11-6, 6. Rancho Bernardo 10-4, 7. Otay Ranch 11-5-1, 8. Del Norte 8-8, 9. San Marcos 8-8, 10. Rancho Buena Vista 8-8. 11. Cathedral Catholic 7-7, 12. Torrey Pines 8-6-1, 13. Poway 9-11, 14. La Costa Canyon 7-8, 15. Imperial 9-6, 16. Christian 7-8-1, 17. West Hills 6-8, 18. Steele Canyon 9-10, 19. Eastlake 8-13, 20. Sage Creek 8-10
Division II: 1. Carlsbad 14-1, 2. San Pasqual 15-4, 3. Mt. Carmel 9-6-1, 4. Westview 7-3-1, 5. Patrick Henry 6-8-1, 6. Oceanside 8-6, 7. El Capitan 7-8, 8. Mira Mesa 10-9, 9. Santana 8-9, 10. Scripps Ranch 8-6-1, 11. Granite Hills 4-10, 12. Olympian 7-9-2, 13. San Dieguito Academy 9-7, 14. Clairemont 8-10, 15. El Camino 8-8, 16. Southwest El Centro 10-8-1, 17. Coastal Academy 7-8, 18. Our Lady of Peace 5-6-1, 19. Canyon Hills 3-8-1, 20. Calexico 1-11
Division III: 1. Helix 10-1, 2. Brawley 12-6, 3. Palo Verde Valley 12-6, 4. Mission Bay 8-3, 5. Coronado 11-5-1, 6. Ramona 11-6, 7. University City 8-9, 8. Mission Vista 9-7-1, 9. Bishop’s 8-3, 10. Morse 11-7, 11. Sweetwater 6-4, 12. Tri-City Christian 4-7, 13. Holtville 5-4, 14. Mar Vista 2-8-2, 15. Chula Vista 8-3, 16. Foothills Christian 5-7, 17. Canyon Crest Academy 5-10, 18. Santa Fe Christian 1-4, 19. Bayfront Charter 2-8
Division IV: 1. Madison 12-6-1, 2. Fallbrook 7-7, 3. Grossmont 9-6-1, 4. Valley Center 7-9, 5. Escondido 7-1-1, 6. Liberty Charter 7-3, 7. Montgomery 10-6-1, 8. Central Union 5-7-1, 9. Francis Parker 11-2, 10. Bonsall 9-4, 11. Hilltop 4-12-1. 12. Lincoln 8-7, 13. Maranatha Christian 7-4, 14. San Diego 10-9, 15. Classical Academy 6-10, 16. Vista 3-6, 17. San Ysidro 4-13, 18. La Jolla Country Day 0-4, 19. Chula Vista Learning Community Charter 2-7, 20. Calipatria 2-9
Division V: 1. Southwest 7-9, 2. Monte Vista 7-8, 3. La Jolla 5-11, 4. Hoover 6-2, 5. Mt. Miguel 7-9, 6. Crawford 6-10, 7. Orange Glen 3-9-1, 8. High Tech San Diego 5-4, 9. Kearny 3-9, 10. Castle Par 2-9, 11. El Cajon Valley 0-6
Division V-AA: 1. Julian 8-6, 2. Warner 3-4, 3. Borrego Springs 6-6, 4. San Diego Academy 0-2, 5. St. Joseph Academy 4-7, 6. Guajome Park 2-7, 7. Mountain Empire 3-5, 8. Vincent Memorial 1-3, 9. Victory Christian Academy 0-7, 10. High Tech Chula Vista 0-1, 11. Ocean View Christian Academy 4-5
BOYS LACROSSE:
Mater Dei Catholic 9, Bonita Vista 8
Eastlake 8, Bonita Vista 6
Eastlake 10, Mater Dei Catholic 9
Olympian 15, Mater Dei Catholic 5
Eastlake 15, Olympian 6
GIRLS LACROSSE:
Olympian 14, Bonita Vista 3
Bonita Vista 6, Otay Ranch 1
Mar Vista 9, Bonita Vista 8 (OT)
Eastlake 16, Mater Dei Catholic 4
Eastlake 14, Olympian 6
