GIRLS 400 RELAY
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 48.37
The girls from Murrieta Mesa rolled to a 47.81
last weekend at Mt. SAC and are the top team in Riverside County and currently
fourth in Division 1. Meanwhile, Vista
Murrieta and their 48.30 fourth in the county and ninth overall in Division
1. Great Oak owns a seasonal best of
49.91 while Murrieta Valley comes in with a 50.22 best.
BOYS 400 RELAY
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 42.74
The California defending State Champions in this
event, Great Oak, have a seasonal best of 42.05. It is fifth in Division 1 while it leads all
squads in Riverside County. But, Vista
Murrieta got the better of them in their dual meet with a 42.12 victory. The Broncos are second in Riverside County
while currently seventh in Division 1.
Murrieta Mesa has crossed in 43.08 (sixth in the county) while Chaparral
is seventh in the county with a 43.52 best.
GIRLS 1600 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 5:01.67
UC Berkeley bound Fatima Cortes has been
sensational this season. With a best of
4:51.33, she is currently second in Division 1 and easily the top in Riverside
County. She is trying to work her way
back to the California State Meet once again in this event. Arianna Griffiths was third at the 2018
Division 1 finals and looked sharp last weekend at Mt. SAC. With a seasonal best of 5:02.35, she is
currently eighth in the division and second in the county. It should be all Great Oak up front as Audrey
Dang (5:06.43), Brianna Weidler (5:07.79) and Aubrie Nex (5:08.01) will be
competing for that third spot to the postseason. Those three are fourth, sixth and seventh
respectively in the county!
BOYS 1600 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 4:18.78
This race should be monopolized by the men of Great Oak with a touch of green
looking to be the spoiler. Chris
Verdugo, who was an at-large entry in 2018 and worked his way to the Division 1
Finals as a sophomore, is the favorite.
Focusing on relays for most of the season, he has crossed in
4:17.87. Verdugo is currently tenth in
Division 1 and atop of the Riverside County lists. Another junior in Murrieta Mesa's Cole Havins
has burst onto the scene in 2019 with a 4:18.54. The rest of the Great Oak juggernaut that
will trying to eclipse that at-large standard will be led by Tyler Tickner
(4:18.74), Ryan Shields (4:19.11) and junior Cole Sawires-Yager (4:20.27). Havins, Tickner and Shields occupy the second
through fourth spots in the county with Sawires-Yager currently sixth.
GIRLS 100 HURDLES
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 15.41
Murrieta Mesa sophomore Logann Williams has emerged as the favorite going into
the postseason. She impressed with her
14.95 victory last weekend at Mt. SAC and is now third in Division 1 for
wind-legal marks. Right behind her in
that same race was Temecula Valley's Jasmine Porter with a 15.17. This effort moved her into the top ten for
the division. Great Oak's Blakely
Creamer has a seasonal best of 15.56 and is the favorite to claim that third
spot to CIF.
BOYS 110 HURDLES
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 14.96
Favorite and defending league champion, Hunter Escorcia of
Vista Murrieta is one of the top juniors in California. Advancing to the State Meet in 2018, he is
looking to expand on what he achieved a year ago. He has been stuck on 14.70 all season long but
is still in the top five for wind-legal marks in the division. Murrieta Mesa's Daniel Browne is looking for
the upset, as he rolled to a 14.71, wind-aided effort a month ago. These two are second and third in Riverside
County. While that battle ensues up
front, the Vista Murrieta duo of Nathan Coker and Nick Bianchi will take on
Great Oak's Christian Byrtus for that third qualifying spot to the
postseason.
GIRLS 400 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 57.22
Moving up to the 400 meters and stepping into her brother's
vacated steps from a year ago, Chioma Okonkwo of Murrieta Mesa has emerged into
one the top girls in California for this event.
In racing to the Inland Empire Championships title with a 55.20 two
weeks ago, she is fourth in Division 1 and second in the county. Emerging in the last several weeks, Temecula
Valley freshman Kathryn Thompson erupted with a 57.77 two weekends ago. She is currently sixth in the county. Tenth in the county, Vista Murrieta's Destiny
Mattingly owns a seasonal best of 58.38.
BOYS 400 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 49.41
This is one of the more open events, relatively speaking, with Murrieta Mesa's
Jermarcus Tate the favorite. He rolled
to a 49.69 last weekend and is now sixth in Riverside County. Looking to break the 50-second barrier,
Chaparral's Elijah Richards (50.27) will look to keep up with Tate while Vista
Murrieta's Tucker Moore has a best of 50.81 this season.
GIRLS 100 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 12.32
Vista Murrieta's Sierra Smith gets into the blocks as the
favorite. Her seasonal best of 12.30 is
the tenth fastest wind-legal time in Division 1 and second in Riverside County
(most of the top marks are all wind-aided).
Her teammate, Kailah Guidry has crossed in wind-aided 12.38 this
season. Murrieta Mesa's Stevie Wu
(12.53) and the Great Oak duo of Summer Stevenson (12.55) and Kristina Bong
(12.62). Also watch for Temecula Valley's
Jayda Rustemoglu (12.67) in this tightly contested affair.
BOYS 100 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 10.91
Grant Gaskins of Great Oak is a slight favorite with a 10.90 wind-legal best
this season. That places him atop the
Riverside County lists and tenth in Division 1 (wind-legal marks). Ranked second in the county and lining up in
the next lane is Vista Murrieta's Emmanuel Jones with a 10.92. But, look too far away as Great Oak's Bryce
Lucas has crossed in 10.95 and Chaparral's Orlando Ornelas owns a 10.99 best,
with both those being wind-aided. With a
little help from Mother Nature, perhaps all four can finish under the at-large
standard.
GIRLS 800 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 2:16.14
Three of the best in the Southern Section line up for this one. The athlete that owns the top time in
Division 1 has opted to focus on the 1600 and 3200 in the postseason so that
leaves Vista Murrieta's Peyton Candaele with the fastest time of 2:13.95. Ranked right behind her is her teammate,
Makayla Fick with a 2:14.20. Slated to
compete after the 1600 meters, Great Oak's Fatima Cortes owns a seasonal best
of 2:14.91. But, anchoring her squad to
one of the best 4x800 teams in the nation, she eclipsed the 2:13 split twice in
the last several weeks! Her teammate,
Kendall Harrison has crossed in 2:18.76 while Aubrie Nex is right there as well
with a 2:19.25 seasonal best. Both of
these Great Oak girls are fifth and sixth in Riverside County.
BOYS 800 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 1:56.52
THE marquee event on the books features an eye-popping 14 boys under 1:59 seasonal
bests! Finishing outside the top ten may
be good enough to win most leagues! One
of the state's best in Willie Coleman of Vista Murrieta headlines with his
1:53.19 best in 2019. With those going
into the postseason, he is currently third in the Southern Section and fifth in
California. Murrieta Mesa's Aris Valerio
has been one of the most improved in the division and lines up with a 1:56.02
best. His teammate, Cole Havins
(1:56.12) is slated to compete as well.
Great Oak junior Micah Baird (1:56.34) has as strong a kick over the
last 150 meter as you will find. Cole
Sawires Yager (1:57.32), Ryan Shields (1:57.38) and Chris Verdugo (1:57.91) add
to the loaded field while Murrieta Valley's Tyler Barber and Vista Murrieta's
Michael Holland and Tavita Dayton look to ride the fumes to a sub-1:58
performance!
GIRLS 300 HURDLES
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 45.86
Like the shorter hurdles, Murrieta Mesa's Logann Williams has emerged as the
favorite. Her 46.32 performance from two
weekends ago places her third in Riverside County. Temecula Valley's Jasmine Porter will look to
pull the upset as she has crossed with a 47.31 this season. But, watch the Murrieta Valley crew led by
Daphne Mendez (47.71) and Ella Bachmeier.
Great Oak's Sami Bollinger (47.75) plans on taking a break from the
jumps and work for a qualifying spot to CIF here as well.
BOYS 300 HURDLES
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 38.99
Daniel Browne of Murrieta Mesa steps in with as a slight favorite 39.95
seasonal best. Browne continues to chase
down that 39.38 from last season and may receive the push to do so here. Great Oak's Christian Byrtus has developed well
over the past month and crossed with a 39.92 earlier this month. Those two are second and third in Riverside
County. Vista Murrieta junior Hunter
Escorcia owns a seasonal best of 40.83, but also looks to chase down his 2018
best of 40.10.
GIRLS 200 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 24.84
Back from the 400 meters, Chioma Okonkwo of Murrieta Mesa is the runaway
favorite, especially after her 24.19 victory at the Inland Empire
Championships. She is currently second
in Division 1 and the best in Riverside County.
The battle for second place is up for grabs. Temecula Valley's Jayda Rustemoglu (25.39)
and Vista Murrieta's Sierra Smith (25.47) will try to out lean Murrieta Mesa's
Stevie Wu (25.51). Vista Murrieta sophomore
Destiny Mattingly (25.71) will also be there, seeking one of the spots to the
postseason.
BOYS 200 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 22.05
Not much separates the top seeds for this event. Settling into the blocks with the fastest
seasonal best is Murrieta Mesa's Jermarcus Tate. He is coming off a wind-aided 22.05 last
week. Vista Murrieta's Emmanuel Jones
rolled to a 22.07 wind-aided effort at Arcadia several weeks ago. While those two have crossed with the fastest
marks, the favorite may very well be Grant Gaskins from Great Oak. He raced a wind-legal 22.18 a month ago while
Vista Murrieta's Omar Boston improved to a 22.38 two weeks ago. A sleeper could be Chaparral's Orlando
Ornelas with a wind-legal best is 22.47 from the Inland Empire
Championships.
GIRLS 3200 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 10:59.43
Last year, it was a
quartet from Great Oak that ran right behind one another the entire race. In 2019, it may only be three but may look
very similar. Audrey Dang has emerged from
the Great Oak pack with the fastest time this season in 10:43.46. While tops in Riverside County, it is the
fourth fastest in Division 1. The one
time Fatima Cortes has run this event in 2019, she rolled to a comfortable
10:53.16 where she and her teammates races together. Meanwhile, Arianna Griffiths rolled to a
10:58.43 last month. All three were Division 1 finalists a year ago and huge
reason that their squad earned the Division 1 team title. Looking to be the spoiler will be Vista
Murrieta's Gaby Hubarth. She is having a
great season and will step onto the line with 10:56.83 that she ran last
month. The Chapparal duo of Grace
Handler (11:06.01) and Cynthia Martin (11:08.46) will have their eyes on that
at-large standard along with Murrieta Valley's Caitlin Billman (11:09.46).
BOYS 3200 METERS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 9:16.32
The 3200 meters has become the toughest at-large standard to conquer for the
Division 1 boys. With that, the field is
talented enough to flirt with it with the right pacing. Cole Havins of Murrieta Mesa is coming off a 9:24.38
effort from Mt. SAC last Friday night and is now second in Riverside County. Focusing solely on this one event, Great
Oak's Cameron Hylton steps in with a 9:25.67 best. The trio of Chris Verdugo (9:30.80),
sophomore John Worthy (9:31.77) and Tyler Tickner (9:33.88) should keep Havins
in touch all throughout. Finally, Vista
Murrieta's Malachi Davis-McClaron and Great Oak's Josh Abrenica have both
dripped below 9:35 this season.
GIRLS 1600 RELAY
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 3:56.95
Most squads wait until this round to present their 'true' A teams for the 1600
Relay. Murrieta Mesa is coming off a
4:00.82 effort from last weekend. They
are second in Riverside County and 11th in Division 1. Vista Murrieta's girls have crossed with a 4:04.52
and are third in the county. Great Oak
will bring out their best as they line up with a 4:08.93 seasonal best. Murrieta Valley has a 4:11.12 best this
season.
BOYS 1600 RELAY
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 3:21.54
In the epic battle between Vista Murrieta and Great Oak, where it ended with a
68-68 tie, the Broncos capturing this event was vital. In crossing with a 3:22.94 victory, that mark
is currently second in Riverside County and 10th in Division 1. Last weekend, Murrieta Mesa posted their
seasonal best of 3:24.83 while Great Oak comes in with a 3:26.79 seasonal
best. Murrieta Valley has also posted a
strong quartet that has a best of 3:30.67.
GIRLS POLE VAULT
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 11-1
No league in California possesses the depth that you see in the Southwestern
League. Great Oak's Kaitlin Swenson gets
onto the runway as the favorite with a 12-6 seasonal best posted two weeks ago.
She is currently third in Division 1 and the top girl in Riverside County. At last week's dual meet, Vista Murrieta's
Tamara Bader and Nicole Silverlake both climbed up over the 12-0 bar, while
Murrieta Valley's Madison Kast was right there with her. These three are now tied for third in the
county and fourth in Division 1. Vista
Murrieta's Casey Bostock has elevated up over 10-9 this season and seeks that
11-1 at-large standard with the hope that all five qualify for the
postseason. Four of the top seven in
Division 1 lineup here. By the way,
three others have gone up over the 10-6 bar and are amongst the top ten in the
county. Overall, eleven girls
have a personal best of ten feet or above!
BOYS POLE VAULT
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 14-3
On a sophomore, Great Oak's Jack Wright comes in as the favorite. In trying to get back over his 15-2 best from
last month, he is the second best sophomore in California. He is currently tied for second in the county
while going into the postseason with the fourth best mark in Division 1. Kyle Yonker owns a best of 14-9 this season
and is tied for ninth in the division.
Vista Murrieta's Kendal Gibbs has gone up over the 14-8 bar and is on
the cusp of being amongst the top nine in the division. He is sixth in Riverside County while Yonker
is fifth. Finally, Noah Oswald of Vista
Murrieta looks to not only improve upon his 13-9 best but to perhaps, obtain
that 14-3 at-large height.
GIRLS HIGH JUMP
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 5-2
In a tightly contest affair, only a four inch difference separates the top
seven competitors. Vista Murrieta's
Sierra Meier comes in as the favorite with a seasonal best of 5-2. Callie Dubots of Temecula Valley comes in
with a best of 5-1 while Vista Murrieta's Kylee Davis has elevated up over the
5-0 bar. Four other Broncos will look to
clear that same height as the squad boasts six girls that have gone above the
4-10 bar.
BOYS HIGH JUMP
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 6-3
One of the best in the Southern Section, Vista Murrieta sophomore Darius Hill
is the overwhelming favorite with a best of 6-7. He is the only boy in Division 1 to have
cleared that height and goes into postseason as the favorite for the CIF Title. He is currently eighth in California and the
top sophomore. His teammate, Ke'shawn
Mattear and Vista Murrieta's Reno Vasquez have cleared 6-3 and if they advance,
are projected to compete for a spot at the Division 1 finals in two weeks. Vista Murrieta's Nick Bianchi is also seeking
one of those spots to the postseason as he has cleared the 6-2 bar.
GIRLS LONG JUMP
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD:
17-4
A trio of sophomores are the favorites to capture those three spots to the
postseason. Great Oak's Summer Stevenson
has stepped it up notch in 2019 with an 18-8 seasonal best. She is the top girl in Riverside County and
one of the best in Division 1.
Meanwhile, Temecula Valley's Ahnyx Bush has elevated her game with a
17-4.5 effort while Sami Bollinger will look to eclipse the 17-foot threshold
as she comes in with a best of 16-11.5. Nyah
Chavez (16-6.25) of Temecula Valley along with Vista Murrieta Nicole Silverlake
(16-4) and Great Oak's Kristina Bong (16-4) lead the charge to steal one of the
qualifying spots.
BOYS LONG JUMP
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 21-9
Vista Murrieta sophomore Darius Hill is the
overwhelming favorite. His 23-2.5 is
just the beginning of what is to come as the Broncos' jumpers always step it up
during the postseason. He is second in
Riverside County and currently fifth in Division 1. The competition for the next two spots will
be close. Murrieta Mesa's Reno Vasquez
has been measured out at 21-5.
Meanwhile, the Vista Murrieta duo of Nick Bianchi and Brandon Tran have
both soared out to 21-4 seasonal bests. A sleeper
for this event could very well be Murrieta Mesa's Kenneth Williams.
GIRLS TRIPLE JUMP
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 36-1
Great Oak sophomore Summer Stevenson is coming off a 40-5
wind-legal effort at the Mt. SAC Relays last weekend. Already one of the best in California, this
elevates her to the top spot in Division 1 and third in the state. Teammate Sami Bollinger has bounded out to a
37-6 performance in 2019. As freshmen,
these two cemented the final points for the Team Title at the 2018 Division 1
Finals. Temecula Valley's Ahnyx Bush has
improved to a 36-4.5 effort this month. Meanwhile,
Great Oak's Kristina Bong (35-11) will be trying for the Wolfpack sweep and if
not, at least measure out past the At-Large standard.
BOYS TRIPLE JUMP
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 44-2
Murrieta Mesa's Kenneth
Williams was third at the 2018 league finals and played a role in helping his
squad capture the Division 2 Team Title with his fourth place finish at the
divisional finals. But, he will have to fend off the Great Oak freshman, JC
Stevenson! Continuing to carry on the
family name that has dominated this event for years, he has bounded out to a
45-3.75 to Williams' 45-0. Both are two
of the best in Riverside County. Great
Oak's Elijah Schultz-Minton has improved out to a 44-0.5 in 2019 and is favored
for that third slot. Vista Murrieta
junior Brandon Williams and Reno Vasquez of Murrieta Mesa both come in with
43-5 seasonal bests.
GIRLS SHOT PUT
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 37-5
Three have placed themselves well above the rest
of the league and should secure the three postseason spots. Murrieta Mesa's Caitlyn Dawson has thrown out
to a 37-9 seasonal best. She is seventh
in Riverside County. Right behind her is Vista Murrieta's Carlita Coleman and
her 36-5 best for 2019. Meanwhile, Vista
Murrieta Janna Adams should also secure a spot as she is three feet ahead of
the next competitor with a 36-4 seasonal best.
BOYS SHOT PUT
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 50-9
The traditional powers of Great Oak and Vista Murrieta include four that should
be seeking that At-Large mark! Great Oak
junior Nicholas Meeker gets into the ring as the favorite with a 54-4 seasonal
best and is the best in Riverside County.
But, Vista Murrieta's Alex Oyawale won their dual meet match-up two
weeks ago with a best of 52-4. The sophomore
from Great Oak, James Wright, has a best of 51-5.25 while Edward Ta'amilo owns a
best of 50-4.75. Also, keep in an eye out for Murrieta Mesa's Cade
Moran, who is the top freshman in California with a best of 48-8. Five of the top seven in the county compete
here, including four of the top five.
GIRLS DISCUS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 118-8
Like the Shot Put, Murrieta Mesa's Caitlyn Dawson is the favorite. Her best of 113-1 is eighth in Riverside
County. But, Vista Murrieta sophomore Carlita
Coleman is not too far behind with a 112-5 best. Maddy
Doolittle of Murrieta Valley has a best of 106-9 and projected to advance to
next weekend's Division 1 Prelims. Vista Murrieta's Jennalyn Tan looks to
improve on her 100-7 best and shoot for a spot to the postseason.
BOYS DISCUS
Div. 1 AT LARGE STANDARD: 154-4
The Vista Murrieta duo of Edward Ta'amilo and Alex
Oyawale has become the best pair in all of California as of last week. With the
former flying the disc out to 182-2 two weeks ago, Oyawale elevated himself into
one of the best in the Southern Section with a 172-2 effort last week. These are the top two in Riverside County and
are currently second and third in Division 1.
Sixth in Division 1 and third in the county, Great Oak sophomore James
Wright owns a best of 165-3.5. He is the
top sophomore in the event in California.
Cade Moran of Murrieta Mesa is the third best freshman in the state and
with a best of 148-8, could be there to swipe a spot of any of the favorites
falter.