DIVISION 3
BOYS
(Projected final standings and projected points)
1) Notre Dame-SO (70-75 points)
In what will be the closest team battle of the eight divisional matchups, the Knights will rely heavily on their throwers to bring this title back. The trio of Jordan Palmer, Quinten Lyons and Steven Barnett project to score 35-38 points between the two events. But, the one man that may decide the fate of this contest is Christian Grubb. Grubb is projected to score 14 points between the 100 and 200 meters while he is a slight favorite in the triple jump. They are hoping that both relays yield them another ten points while Ahmir McGee was able to advance in the high jump. John Macias is slated to finish in the top six and could earn valuable points in the 800 meters.
2) Harvard/Westlake (67-72 points)
Whereas Notre Dame can score in 13 different spots, the Wolverines are slated to score in 12. Limited on upside, they are favorites to win in five different events. Brayden Borquez is the favorite for the 400 meters. But, he has the daunting task of trying to win the 300 hurdles, where he comes in with the top seasonal mark. The best in the Southern Section, Tiber Seireeni is a heavy favorite to capture the pole vault. It may come down to the relays, as they have run the fastest times for both events. Joshua Johnson was the last entrant to qualify in the 100 and 200 meters and could prove to be a huge factor if he finishes in the top five for both. Matthew Wang (110 hurdles), Mason Rodriguez (400) and Andrew Shibuya (3200) advanced as well and are projected to score 8-10 points combined.
3) Santa Margarita (57-62 points)
2017 State meet finalist in two events, Blake Hennessay (Lizette Adams photo above) is slated to win the 100 meters. He will have his hands full though for that 300 hurdles. Sean Byrne will be a huge factor as he advanced in both the 1600 and 3200 meters. He is projected to score 16 points between the two events. Along with Byrne, Ian Howard is expected to finish in the top five for the 1600 meters. Trevor Williamson advanced in the pole vault while Brendan Cormie is one of the top three in the high jump. The Eagles are hoping to score a minimum of 12 points in both relays.
4) St. John Bosco (36-42 points)
Lots of upside here for the Braves. Colby Bowman is slated to compete for the win in the 200 meters. Meanwhile, the 4x100 relay team has run the 2nd fastest mark in the division this season. Titus Toler will compete for the win in the long jump while James Smith will look to finish in the top six. Sal Spina will look to improve and get into the top five for the shot put. Three different boys represent the three distances for SJB. Diego Gonzalez (800), Albert Serrano (1600) and Diego de la Torre (3200) are projected to earn 8-10 points. That number could definitely go up.
5) Servite (35-39 points)
Kyle Kimble advanced in both hurdles and goes into the 110's as the favorite. He will be joined by Christian Ojeda in the 110's while Nathan Lacson will also compete in the 300's. This trio projects to score 25-27 points in the hurdling events. Vincent Sarino lines up for the 800 meters where not much separates the field. Nolan Blachowski will look to finish amongst the top five in the pole vault while Lucky Nelson will try to sneak an extra point or two into the final tally. As an at-large entry, Servite also advanced in the 4x100 relay.
6) Orange Lutheran (26-29 points)
With not much separating the 100 meter entrants, Kyle McCray could earn major points there. In what should be a Trinity League monopoly up front, Kevin McNulty will lace it up against his league foes once again in the 1600 meters. Justin Lind is projected to finish in the top four for the 400 meters. The Lancers are looking to score 12-13 points between the two relay squads.
7) Jserra (26-29 points)
Trinity League champ, Kelley Stephens will renew his rivalry with Bowman in the 200 meters. Sophomore Anthony Grover is slated score 10-12 points between the 1600 and 3200 meters. Not advancing in the 1600, Peter Herold will be fresh and looking to finish in the top three for the 3200 meters.
8) South Pasadena (24-28 points)
Sophomore Tianhao Wei is a slight favorite in the long jump and slated to score 16 points between that and the triple jump. Kai Dettman will be right in the middle of the 800 meter battle. Oliver Chang will be looking to finish in the top five for the 3200 meters.
9) St. Francis (22-26 points)
. Mathew Molina is the favorite in the High Jump. Meanwhile, he will also finish towards the front of the 110 hurdles. Blake Howard is seeking a top three spot in the pole vault. Andrew Monarrez was the last qualifier in the long jump but can earn an extra point or two.
10) Esperanza - 20 points
Sophomore Jeff Duensing goes in as the favorite in both throwing events.
Others: Bishop Amat, Damien, San Marino, Brea Olinda, Sultana
The Warriors have run the fastest time in the 4x400 relay and go in as the favorites. They also look to finish in the top four for the 4x100. Briana Johnson advanced in the 200 and 400 meters. She is projected to score 6-7 points between the two sprints while DaJahnae Jackson are looking to score 4-5 points for the 400. Ekaterina Hupalo is looking to push Merritt in the 100 hurdles and gain some valuable points. Havanna Thomas is looking to finish in the top four for the triple jump. Audra Coleman could also provide a point or two for the 800 meters. They have eight potential scoring opportunities whereas Notre Dame-SO has seven.
3) Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks (36-40 points)
Gabrielle Ellis is the favorite for the 400 meters. Combined with both relays, they are projected to score 14 points. Madison Dietz is seeking a spot in the top four in the 200. Cheyenne Alacorn will amongst the top five in the high jump, providing an additional 4-6 points. Kaelyn Botshekan has run the 4th fastest time in the field for the 300 Hurdles. Maya Hollien could provide an extra point or two in the 100 meters. This will a tight race to earning that 2nd CIF team plaque.
4) San Luis Obispo (33-37 points)
Anneke Moersdorf is the lead Tiger in that she is slated to score 26 points on her own. She is the favorite in the long jump and also will compete for titles in the high jump and triple jump as well. Madeline Fletcher will also earn points in the 800 meters.
5) Yorba Linda (29-33 points)
Lauren O'Banion goes in as the top seed in the 400 meters and between that and the 200, she should earn 8-10 points. With both relays advancing, they are seeking another 10-12 points between the two. Sarah Heckel dropped the 400 to focus solely on the 800 meters while Siena Palicke has run one of the top times in the division for the 1600 meters.
7) Harvard / Westlake (22-26 points)
Tierni Kaufman is the favorite to capture the high jump while she also qualified in the triple jump. Isabela Llevat advanced in the 300 Hurdles. Lila Cardillo is looking to finish in the top five for the 3200 meters. London Alexander will pick up points in the 800 meters while their 4x400 relay squad is looking to gain an additional 2-3 points.
8) La Mirada (20-22 points)
Emily Hawk qualified in the 100 and 200 meters. Between the two, she is projected to earn 8-10 points. Citlalli Anguiano advanced in both hurdles and is slated to earn around 8-10 points there as well. Together, they are hoping to lead their 4x100 relay team to a top five finish as well.
8) Corona del Mar (20-22 points)
Morgan Simon is a strong favorite to capture the pole vault. Shannon Strassman will join her teammate in the same event. Paige Damron is projected for five points in the 300 hurdles. Simona Bocancea advanced in the Discus and is expected to finish in the top five as well. The Sea Kings also advanced their 4x400 relay squad.
10) Oak Park (18 points)
The formable duo in Sylvia Cruz-Albrecht and Sarah Shulze should finish 1-2 for the 3200 meters. If they stay in the 1600 meters, they would elevate into the top six teams; we them have focusing solely on the 3200 meters and trying to qualify for the SS Masters Meet - they compete with the Division I girls.
Others: Costa Mesa, La Canada, South Pasadena, La Sierra, Lompoc