Girls Virtual Round 2: Buchanan vs. Clovis North

No. 5 Buchanan (CS) vs. No. 12 Clovis North (CS)

Clovis North owned the sprints and split the relays but the rest was all Buchanan in this second-round virtual meet. 

Super soph Takiya Cenci had the fastest times as Clovis North swept both the 100m and 200m (she possesses a CA No. 1 time of 24.69), and another sophomore Tatum Zinkin was fastest in the 400m, as the Huskies took 26 of 27 points in those three events. 

That's where the story ends for the team in blue and begins to build for the team in red. 

As was the case in the first-round victory over Quartz Hill (SS), Buchanan is fueled by both experience and by youth. Arkansas-bound senior Corie Smith was best in the 1600m and 3200m, and added a third-place point in the 800m. Surrounding her are freshmen like Grace Hutchison (800m winner, third place in both the 1600m and 3200m), and Sydney Sundgren (runner-up 3200m). 

Smith certainly needed the help from her 2023 duo to help combat a solid young core at Clovis North that includes sophomore Miliana Perez, who was second in both the 880m and 1600m.

Showing off Buchanan's depth across the track, junior Alexa Dandridge won both hurdles, sophomore Chinyere Egbuziem placed second in both throws, sophomore Maddy Passmore won the triple jump, and freshman Megan Clenney kept North from a clean sweep of the sprints. 

Smith's early season time of 4:58.64 for 1600m and 10:45.15 for 3200m, both rank CA No. 2 and U.S. top 15. She wasn't the only member of her class contributing to the win as senior Leilani Costa had the top high jump, Mckenna Chaney threw farthest in the discus and Hannah Davis went longest in the shot put.

Next: Buchanan will be scored against the second-round winner between No. 4 St. Francis (SJ) and No. 20 Los Altos (CC) for a spot in the final four.