WINTER TRACK Meets Ramp Up in January

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This article was updated Jan. 6 to update the status of the Arcadia qualifier meet previously scheduled for Jan. 8

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In fact, the annual CA Winter Championships Qualifier series got an early start in late December with a couple of meets at Los Alamitos and Roosevelt, and a third, at South Pasadena, which was unfortunately scrapped because of poor weather. 

COVID-related complications notwithstanding, there are 15 qualifier meets currently on the schedule for January, including four this weekend, leading to the CA Winter Championships on Jan. 29 at Arcadia HS.

Also this weekend, the annual LEAP Squad-sponsored LeapFest jumps-only showcase is scheduled for Saturday at Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana. That event traditionally draws top horizontal and vertical jumpers and this year is no exception. 

Entries for the Keinan Briggs-produced event include the top two CA boys returners in the long jump in Elijha Ellis of Golden Valley (23-11.5) and Camryn O'Bannon of St. John Bosco (23-10). O'Bannon also is the No. 3 returner in the triple jump (46-9). 

The list of other elites scheduled to compete includes Seth Johnson of Cajon (6-6 HJ, 22-5.50 LJ), Jonathan Yu of Fountain Valley (45-5 TJ), Meagan Humphries of Golden Valley (5-6 HJ, equals No. 2 returning mark in CA), Jada Gatlin of Mission Viejo (39-0.25 TJ ranks as No. 3 returner), Kylee Davis of Golden Valley (19-2.25, No. 3 returning LJ), Lexi Evans of Scripps Ranch (SD) and Avery Hilliard of Poway (SD) (PV, two of five CA returners who have cleared 13-0 or higher), and Quincy Hansen of San Dieguito Academy (SD) (12-8.75 PV ranks as the No. 6 returner). 

Because of the recent surge of COVID-19, athletes are "strongly recommended" to take a COVID-19 test before the event and all attendees to the event will be required to wear a mask except for athletes only while they are competing.

Later this month, the Sundown Track Series resumes on January 22 with a distance-only meet scheduled for Eastmark HS in Mesa, AZ. The event, produced by Newbury Park coach Sean Brosnan, served as a bridge last winter to the COVID-delayed spring season in CA. There were three meets last winter, but only one is scheduled so far this spring. And that one will add an 800-meter race to the schedule that includes heats at both mile and 3200-meter distances, Brosnan said. 

Northern Arizona-bound state and national cross country champion Colin Sahlman, a senior at Newbury Park, is scheduled to run the 800 meteres in preparation for a mile race he's scheduled to run Feb. 5 at the Armory in New York. Junior Lex Young is scheduled to run the mile at Sundown in preparation to a 3K challenge at the Armory. 

The Sundown meet is an open event with an emphasis on athletes looking to run fast. To borrow a quote from the event website: "Our meets will be held at night under the lights. With the right atmosphere and positive attitude, times will be fast."

The CA Winter Champs series offers indoor track distances outdoors. But athletes truly looking to compete indoors have a handful of options over the next couple of months, albeit outside of CA.

A sampling of those meets include the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, NV (Jan. 13-15), the elite VA Showcase in Virginia Beach, VA (Jan. 14-16), meets at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island, NY in late Jan. and mid-Feb, UW Invitational in Seattle (Jan. 29), Simplot Games in Pocatello, ID (Feb. 17-19), MVP Vibe Fest in Chicago (Feb. 18-20), and New Balance Nationals Indoor in New York (March 11-13). 

Back in the Golden State, the Winter Champs series of qualifiers schedule is as follows (meets are scheduled for 9 a.m. unless noted. Site contact is included.)

January 8

Great Oak (rgarcia3@tvusd.us)

Roosevelt (coachshonna4@yahoo.com)

Simi Valley (snr@steveringgold.com)

(UPDATE: The qualifier meet scheduled for Arcadia has been canceled.)

January 15

Los Alamitos (nhoward@losal.org)

James Madison (12jewelz.co@gmail.com)

South Pasadena (cbrichards600@gmail.com)

Rancho Cucamonga (terryrchs@hotmail.com)

January 22

Covina Dist. Stadium (kglaspy@c-vusd.org)

Dinuba, noon start (lichtenwaldt@gmail.com)

Palma (thadmoren@gmail.com)

Pittsburg, 10 a.m. start (pittsburgtrack@gmail.com)

Redondo (bobster1962@mac.com)

Simi Valley (snr@steveringgold.com)

Vista Murrieta (ccandaele@murrieta.k12.ca.us)

January 29

CA Winter Championships at Arcadia HS (time TBD)

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE CA WINTER CHAMPS QUALIFIER MEETS

- Athletes register ($12) at the site of the qualifier meets.

- Athletes who hit a qualifying standard at a qualifier meet (noted below) and wish to compete in the championship meet on the 29th, MUST register and pay a separate $25 fee, and then will receive their championship meet "Golden bib" AT THE QUALIFIER MEET. The Golden Bib serves as entry at the Championship meet.

- There is no on-site registration at the Jan. 29 Championship meet.  

(Complete information is available on the MileSplit calendar entry for each meet in the CA Winter Champs series.)

ORDER OF EVENTS AT EACH QUALIFIER (rolling schedule)

Track

1500m Run

60m Dash

60m Hurdles

150m Dash

600m Dash

4x200n Relay

Distance Medley Relay

Mixed 4x400n Relay

4x800m Relay

300m Dash

3000m Run

Sprint Medley Relay (100-100-200-400)

Field (4 attempts in LJ, TJ & SP)

Long Jump

Shot Put

High Jump

Pole Vault

Triple Jump (follows Long Jump)

Additional Events (see entry notes below)

*Weight Throw (At Championship Finals only)

**Pentathlon (At Championship Finals only)

QUALIFYING STANDARDS FOR THE 2022 CA WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

Athletes must achieve the minimum qualifying standard (see below) at one of the Qualifier Meets. Winning an event does not automatically qualify you for the CA Winter Championship meet. You must also meet the minimum standard. Relay members must attend the same school. NO ALL-STAR TEAMS!

- Weight Throw (25 lb/20 lb)- *By email only to rich@vsathletics.com by 1/20 for entry consideration.

- Pentathlon - **By email only to richgonzaleztrack@gmail.com by 1/20 for entry consideration.

(Complete information is available on the MileSplit calendar entry for each meet in the CA Winter Champs series.)

File photos by Karen Ocskasy and Jeffrey Parenti