The all-weather track surface at Otay Ranch High School received a test when an afternoon cloudburst sent student-athletes scurrying for cover just prior to the start of the running events at this year’s Mesa League and South Bay League track and field championships on May 14.
The rainstorm abated after a few minutes but, for safety concerns, all further field events were postponed, as were both hurdles races. The meet picked up where it left off on Monday under much drier conditions. The delay didn’t appear to dampen the quality of the competition, however.
“The kids did a great job with the postponement and did a great job competing under the weather conditions,” explained veteran Otay Ranch High School coach Ian Cumming. “I was impressed by the performances by the athletes from the other schools in picking up where they left off after four days and, of course, also impressed by performances by the athletes from our school.”
The competition proved close in battles for the team lead in both the Mesa League girls and South Bay League boys fields.
Regular season dual meet champion Eastlake captured a nip-and-tuck battle with east side rival Otay Ranch to win the Mesa League girls points title 149-137, while regular season dual meet champion Castle Park narrowly out-pointed San Ysidro, 101-100, for the South Bay League boys team title.
In the other divisions, both regular season dual meet champions prevailed in the race of supremacy at the league finals. Otay Ranch captured the Mesa League boys team title by out-pointing runner-up Bonita Vista, 131-97, while Sweetwater out-pointed runner-up Castle Park, 161-111, to win the South Bay League girls team title.
League finals, part 1
Eight of the 10 running events were contested on what proved to be a fast-drying track surface on the initial day of competition. Despite the inclement conditions, the races proved to be exciting and worthy of a championship-caliber meet. It’s no wonder that track and field has become the centerpiece of such mega events as the Summer Olympic Games.
Track rules, in short.
And so does Eastlake freshman Leyla McFarland.
The finish of the Mesa League girls 3200-meter run proved that. Otay Ranch senior Alicia Huerta appeared to have an insurmountable lead heading into the final 200 meters of the race. At one point, Huerta held a sizable 100-yard lead on McFarland, who appeared headed for a runner-up finish in the physically demanding eight-lap event.
But Huerta — and everyone else in the stadium — quickly discovered that the Lady Titans’ frosh phenom has a kick, and what a kick indeed.
McFarland made up the deficit in short order to win by 10 meters at the finish line.
Electrifying? Try stupefying.
McFarland timed 11:20.09 to set a school record in the event. It was the second of two school records on the wet day that fell to McFarland after she previously won the 1600 run in 5:12.30.
It definitely took a school record performance by McFarland to win the longer distance as Huerta also set a school record in the event with a time of 11:21.55 — a personal record by 10 seconds.
But never count out the Lady Titan superwoman. Put her in any event, it appears, and she excels. If there’s a way, she’ll will herself to victory.
Otay Ranch sophomore Eyra Alfaro — and the rest of the field — discovered that in the 1600 when McFarland also charged back to win.
Alfaro ran well. Her finals time of 5:19.92 was just off her season best of 5:18.73. But McFarland delivered the hammer blow.
“Very good, yes,” McFarland offered, still short of breath and trying to find the right words to describe her unbelievable performances. “It was kind of sprinkling during my mile, not too hard, it was fun, I loved it.”
Michelle Walling had set the previous Eastlake school record in the 3200 at 11:22.95 in 2010; McFarland broke her own record of 5:17.07 in the 1600 that she had just set a week earlier in a league dual meet at Otay Ranch.
Huerta’s time eclipsed the 11:23.09 mark turned in by Catie LeDesma in 2013.
The day ended with McFarland holding three gold medals after anchoring her team to victory in the meet-closing 4×400 relay event. She combined with teammates Jackie Villalobos, Mia Costello and Anissa Vera to post a winning edge by nearly 50 meters with a time of 4:07.13.
The winning time was more than nine seconds faster than Olympian’s runner-up 4:16.85 clocking and a season best.
Overall, the Lady Titans captured first-place performances in seven of the 16 events over the two days of competition. They dominated the opening day with league championships in six events.
Eastlake senior Johnna Noiseaux captured three gold medals — one on the opening day in the girls long jump (16-11) and two more on the closing day in the high jump (5-0) and triple jump (36-10.75).
Other individual league champions for the Lady Titans included Villalobos in the 400 dash (1:00.64) and Costello in the 800 run (2:24.89) – season bests for both runners.
Villalobos and Vera finished one-two in the Mesa League girls 400 dash.
“We worked hard all year pushing each other and it was great to show that today,” Villalobos said.
“We did it for each other,” Vera interjected.
“We pushed ourselves really hard this year,” Costello said. “There was no time during the year that we didn’t do that. We didn’t leave any energy behind.”
Either on a wet for a dry track.
Go green
Hilltop’s dynamic duo of seniors Christopher Perez and Janeth Moya combined to win four individual gold medals in Mesa League competition. Perez won the boys 100 dash and long jump while Moya won the girls 100 and 300 low hurdles.
The top seven runners in the Mesa League boys 100-meter dash were separated by just 0.37 seconds. Perez was at the lead of that tight pack — but just barely. Perez timed 11.53 — 0.13 seconds ahead of runner-up Jacob Hoffer of Otay Ranch. Hoffer, in turn, finished just 0.04 seconds ahead of third place Patrick Wilson of Bonita Vista. Wilson finished just 0.17 seconds behind the winning time.
Whew!
The other times were an eye blink apart: Hilltop’s Frederic Soto Saenz (11.78), Mater Dei Catholic’s Dallas Freitas (11.80) and the Otay Ranch tandem of Tyshawn Cook (11.84) and Gabriel Navarro (11.90). Olympian’s Christian Aguilar, the “slow” man in the group, placed eighth in 12.05 — just 0.52 behind Perez.
Perez attributed his prowess in the 100 to better technique in starting out of the blocks. “Last year, I always seemed to be catching up to people.”
Now people are chasing him.
Perez won the long jump with a little more room to spare with a jump of 20-1.5. Olympian junior Collin Andrews placed second at 19-11.
Moya captured a close battle in the 100 hurdles, edging Olympian’s Sydney Barnes (16.23) with a winning time of 16.06.
Moya (47.32) claimed supremacy over Otay Ranch’s Autumn Pearson (49.19) in the 300 distance.
Close calls
A scant one-hundredth of a second was the difference in the Mesa League boys 4×100 relay as Olympian (43.90) edged Bonita Vista (43.91) at the finish line.
One-fifth of a second separated first and second place in the Mesa League boys 300 intermediate hurdles. Bonita Vista’s Josh Godfrey claimed the league title with a time of 41.06 to the 41.26 posted by Eastlake’s Justin Young. Olympian’s Paul Thompson was right behind the pair with the third-place time of 41.54.
The Mesa League boys 110 high hurdles also was close as Olympian’s Cameron Smith (15.89) edged Otay Ranch’s Jacob Mestre (16.13) by 0.24 seconds.
The Mesa League boys pole vault was decided in a jump-off between Bonita Vista senior Alejandro Ulloa and Otay Ranch senior Robert Burnett. Both vaulters cleared 12-0 to tie for the lead, which necessitated further attempts.
Ulloa won the last of several jump-offs to win the gold medal.
Fantastic finishes
Olympian senior Sydney Leverett, the Mesa League boys cross country champion, staged an upset win over Otay Ranch senior Isaiah Thomas in the Mesa League boys 800 race. The final 100 meters turned into a three-man race, in fact, with Leverett winning the dash to the finish in 1:56.61 ahead of Thomas (1:57.40) and Eastlake senior Jake Barr (1:58.06).
Thomas had won the 1600 earlier in 4:23.55 ahead of Mater Dei Catholic junior Salvador Rodriguez (4:30.72).
Leverett said he thought he had a chance at snatching the gold medal with 150 meters to go in the 800 race.
“I saw my opponent from Otay Ranch was within my reach and I tried my hardest to get him, which I did,” explained Leverett, who set a personal record with his winning time. “The final 50 it was all out. I thought if I won it, I won it, but if I don’t I’d settle for second place. But I didn’t want to settle for second place.”
Olympian senior Ralaina LiDrazzah and Eagles junior teammate Jazleen Wharry dominated the Mesa League girls sprint finals. LiDrazzah won the 100 dash in 12.91, followed closely across the finish line by Wharry in 13.18; LiDrazzah (25.93) and Wharry (26.39) finished one-two in the Mesa League girls 200 dash.
Olympian senior Ed Galloway, the section leader in the 400 dash this season, captured gold medals in the 200 dash and 4×100 and 4×400 relay events at this year’s Mesa League finals. He tore through the field in the 200, winning in 22.39. The Eagles quartet of Andres Gonzalez, Galloway, Leverett and Michael Kipling blasted the field in the 4×400 with a time of 3:26.64 — four seconds ahead of runner-up Bonita Vista.
“When it’s nighttime or cold, I seem to run my best,” the fleet-footed Galloway said. “That’s backward for most people.”
Royal court crowned at South Bay League track and field finals
The South Bay League championship track and field meet featured a royal court of high achievers despite the blustery and cold conditions.
Sweetwater High School junior Cristinn London earned honors as the South Bay League’s Female Track Athlete of the Meet after securing four gold medals during competition on the first day of the meet on May 14. She won individual league titles in both the 200- and 400-meter dashes and also ran legs on the two winning relays (4×100 and 4×400).
London timed 27.65 in the 200 dash and 1:02.65 in the 400 dash. The Lady Red Devils clocked 51.35 in the 4×100 and 4:22.41 in the 4×400.
London set a season best in winning the 400.
Castle Park senior Teairah Jackson earned honors as the South Bay Leagues Female Field Athlete of the Meet after winning gold medals in both the shot put (38-5.5) and discus throw (108-6).
On the boys side, Castle Park senior Jordan Danielson captured four gold medals, including three on the opening day of competition. Danielson emerged with individual league titles in the 200 dash (23.30) and 400 dash (51.49). He also anchored the Trojans’ victorious 4×100 relay team (45.53).
Danielson earned his fourth gold medal by winning the boys triple jump (39-2.5) on Monday.
The times in the 4×100 and 400 were season bests.
Danielson will put those marks on the line in Saturday’s San Diego Section prelims at Mt. Carmel High School.
“I had made it a goal to hit 22 in the 200 — I’ve hit it once earlier this season,” said Danielson, the Metro-Pacific League’s Offensive Player of the Year during the football season. “I’ve made it a goal to hit 42 in the triple jump.”
Southwest senior Javier Rueda earned honors as the South Bay League’s Male Field Athlete of the Meet after recording the top mark in the boys shot put (47-7) and runner-up marks in the discus throw (117-4) and 100 dash (12.16).
Rueda bested CP’s Phillip Nones (46-4) and Chula Vista’s Jonathan Zamudio (41-4) to win the shot put title.
Metro Conference Track & Field
2015 Parade of Champions
Mesa League
Boys Running Events
4×100 relay: 1. Olympian 43.90
1600m: 1. Isaiah Thomas (Otay Ranch) 4:23.55
400m: 1. John Price (Otay Ranch) 50.09
110m high hurdles: 1. Cameron Smith (Olympian) 15.89
100m: 1. Christopher Perez (Hilltop) 11.53
800m: 1. Sydney Leverett (Olympian) 1:56.61
300m intermediate hurdles: 1. Josh Godfrey (Bonita Vista) 41.06
200m: 1. Ed Galloway (Olympian) 22.39
3200m: 1. Rigo Baza (Otay Ranch) 9:49.65
4×400 relay: 1. Olympian 3:26.44
Boys Field Events
Long jump: 1. Christopher Perez (Hilltop) 20-1.5
High jump: 1. Justin Young (Eastlake) 5-11
Shot put: 1. Ivan Duran (Mater Dei Catholic) 47-1
Discus throw: 1. Jacob Lopez (Otay Ranch) 152-7
Triple jump: 1. Antonio Riggins (Olympian) 45-3
Pole vault: 1. Alejandro Ulloa (Bonita Vista) 12-0 (won jump-off with Otay Ranch’s Rob Burnett)
Girls Running Events
4×100 relay: 1. Olympian 50.14
1600m: 1. Leyla McFarland (Eastlake) 5:12.30
400m: 1. Jacqueline Villalobos (Eastlake) 1:00.64
100m low hurdles: 1. Janeth Moya (Hilltop) 16.06
100m: 1. Ralaina LiDrazzah (Olympian) 12.91
800m: 1. Mia Costello (Eastlake) 2:24.89
300 low hurdles: 1. Janeth Moya (Hilltop) 47.32
200m: 1. Ralaina LiDrazzah (Olympian) 25.93
3200m: 1. Leyla McFarland (Eastlake) 11:20.09
4×400 relay: 1. Eastlake 4:07.13
Girls Field Events
Long jump: 1. Johnna Noiseaux (Eastlake) 16-11
Triple jump: 1. Johnna Noiseaux (Eastlake) 36-10.75
High jump: 1. Johnna Noiseaux (Eastlake) 5-0
Shot put: 1. Kara Abshier (Otay Ranch) 33-8
Discus throw: 1. Marlene Velazquez (Olympian) 101-0
Pole vault: 1. Alice Langford (Eastlake) 8-11
Team Points
Boys: 1. Otay Ranch 131, 2. Bonita Vista 97, 3. Olympian 96,4. Eastlake 78, 5. Mater Dei Catholic 47, 6. Hilltop 45
Girls: 1. Eastlake 149, 2. Otay Ranch 137,3. Olympian 114, 4. Bonita Vista 43, 5. Hilltop 41, 6. Mater Dei Catholic 12
Athletes of the Meet
Girls Track: Leyla McFarland (Eastlake)
Girls Field: Johnna Noiseaux (Eastlake)
Boys Track: Not available
Boys Field: Not available
South Bay League
Boys Running Events
4×100 relay: 1. Castle Park 45.53
1600m: 1. Joel Talamantes (San Ysidro) 4:38.11
400m: 1. Jordan Danielson (Castle Park) 51.49
110m high hurdles: 1. Julius Ojajuni (Sweetwater) 17.92
100m: 1. Khalil Spruill (Mar Vista) 11.74
800m: 1. Carlos Aviles-Sullivan (Sweetwater) 2:00.24
300m intermediate hurdles: 1. Alan Martinez (San Ysidro) 43.85
200m: 1. Jordan Danielson (Castle Park) 23.30
3200m: 1. Cristian Baez (Chula Vista) 10:32.53
4×400 relay: 1. Sweetwater 3:37.24
Boys Field Events
Triple jump: 1. Jordan Danielson (Castle Park) 39-2.5
Long jump: 1. Fernando Gonzalez (San Ysidro) 18-6.5
Discus throw: 1. Jonathan Zamudio (Chula Vista) 122-5
High jump: 1. Jake Curtis (San Ysidro) 5-5
Shot put: 1. Javier Rueda (Southwest) 47-7
Pole vault: 1. David Baltazar (Sweetwater) 11-0
Discus throw: 1. Jonathan Zamudio (Chula Vista) 122-5
Girls Running Events
4×100 relay: 1. Sweetwater 51.35
1600m: 1. Liliana Hakim (Castle Park) 5:38.51
400m: 1. Cristinn London (Sweetwater) 1:02.65
100m low hurdles: 1. Gabby Lawson (Chula Vista) 18.15
100m: 1. Hope Foote (Sweetwater) 13.60
800m: 1. Karen Murillo (Montgomery) 2:35.56
300m low hurdles: 1. Brianna Diaz (Castle Park) 50.92
200m: 1. Cristinn London (Sweetwater) 27.65
3200m: 1. Liliana Hakim (Castle Park) 12;23.63
4×400 relay: 1. Sweetwater 4:22.41
Girls Field Events
Shot put: 1. Teairah Jackson (Castle Park) 38-5.5
Long jump: 1. Dayza Brackeen (Chula Vista) 15-2.5
High jump: 1. Sarah Montion (Castle Park) 4-6
Discus throw: 1. Teairah Jackson (Castle Park) 108-6
Pole vault: 1. Analycia Rehberg (Sweetwater) 7-5
Triple jump: 1. Evangeline Morga (Montgomery) 30-3.25
Team points
Boys: 1. Castle Park 101, 2. San Ysidro 100, Sweetwater 95, 4. Southwest 62, 5. Mar Vista 55, 6. Chula Vista 34, 7. Montgomery 5
Girls: 1. Sweetwater 161, 2. Castle Park 111, 3. Southwest 64, 4. Chula Vista 61, 5. Montgomery 39. 6. San Ysidro 24, 7. Mar Vista 2
Athletes of the Meet
Boys Track: Joardan Danielson (Castle Park)
Boys Field: Javier Rueda (Southwest)
Girls Track: Cristinn London (Sweetwater)
Grils Field: Teariah Jackson (Castle Park)
