4x100 Meter Relay
Jazmyne Frost (5) anchored Serra to victory at the Southern Section-Masters Meet. (Lizette Adams photo)
Girls 4x100 Meter Relay
Girls Favorite: Serra (SS) 45.88
Leading Contenders: Long Beach Poly (SS) 45.97, Calabasas (SS) 46.34 and Carson (LA) 47.01
State Meet Record: St. Bernard (SS) 44.70, 1997
The Serra (SS) girls are looking to defend their title here. This event will weigh heavily on the team title competition. Serra held off the Southern Section's best last weekend in their 45.88 victory. Long Beach Poly had to come from behind last week to finish 3rd at the SS Masters Meet, but owns a seasonal best of 45.97. Meanwhile, Calabasas took 2nd in that same race with a season's best of 46.34. The Carson (LA) girls will look to erase memories of last year's finals as they captured the LA City Section crown in 47.01. The two best from the North are as always, Bishop O'Dowd (NC) and Sheldon (SJ). They have run season's best of 47.17 and 46.96. O'Dowd was 4th in this event a year ago while this relay could go a long way in regard to team title aspirations. Arcadia (SS) and Olympian (SD) posted their best last week with both coming across the line at 47.28.
Grant Gaskins (6) anchored Great Oak to SS Masters win over St. John Bosco (5). (Lizette Adams photo)
Boys 4x100 Meter Relay
Boys Favorite: Great Oak (SS) 41.14
Leading Contenders: St. John Bosco (SS) 40.94, Trabuco Hills (SS) 41.24, Murrieta Mesa (SS), 41.25 and Rancho Verde (SS) 41.26.
State Meet Record: Hawthorne (SS) 40.24, 1989
The title is up for grabs as one hiccup in any baton exchange can be the difference between advancing to Saturday vs. watching from the stands. Less than three-quarters of a second separate the top seed from 13th team! Great Oak emerged as the SS Masters Meet champ last weekend in a season's best of 41.14. The status of a full St. John Bosco lineup is up in the air as they rolled to a 40.94 two weeks ago to capture the SS Div. 3 title. In position for the victory last week, their anchor's hamstring tightened but he still crossed the line to advance his squad. Trabuco Hills is, by far, the most improved group over the past three weeks, racing to a 41.24. Challenging the timer, Murrieta Mesa and Rancho Verde finished right there as well. Clovis North (41.41) wants to break up the SS monopoly up front and catapult themselves into the team title conversation. Like the girls, there are some serious team implications to kick off the meet! Compared to last year, we should see all new squads advancing onto the finals.