Unlike most of the rest of the state during the COVID-impacted 2021 track and field season, the Central Section may have been able to pull off the most complete spring season in the Golden State. The CS ran regional area championships and brought all the top qualifiers up to Buchanan HS for a collective Masters Meet. Despite brutal late-June temperatures that pushed the meet start time back a few hours, the CS provided a full season and crowned champions across the standard 16 events. From that meet, six of the 14 individual champions are back, plus eight runners-up and seven third-place finishers. While this article will focus on top returning individuals to watch, expect the Buchanan girls to be in position to claim another CIF-State title come the end of May.
Here's a closer look at 13 of the top returning girls track and field athletes in the Central Section.
Her 5-7 clearance to win the TRAC title late last May ranks as the top returning jump in the state. She won a memorable jump-off with Sierra Pacific sophomore
Gardenia Quezada to win the CS Masters title at 5-5.
(Photo above)
She has the section's No. 1 returning time in the 100 meters, (12.08 /1.7 mps wind) achieved in placing second at the CS Masters Meet last June. She ranks as the section's No. 3 returning 100m/200m combo sprinter behind Takiya Cenci and Sydnie Vanek.
One of the state's elite combo sprinters, with 2021 bests of 12.09 (2.7) for 100 meters, 23.96 (2.8) for 200m, and 54.36 for 400m. Her 200m time ranks No. 3 in the state and her 400m time ranks No. 2.
Two of the state's top hurdlers, Costales, and Daniela Ruelas, are expected to battle it out throughout the 2022 CS outdoor season. Costales, the No. 6 returning combo hurdler in the state, recorded bests of 14.93 for 100-meter hurdles and 44.48 for 300m hurdles. Ranking 13th and eighth, respectively, among all CA returners.
No. 2 ranked combo thrower in the section, ranking No. 2 among returners in the shot put (38-04.50) and No. 3 in the discus throw (143-09). She placed second in both throws at North Area qualifier and TRAC finals.
One of two stars on this list from the No. 2-ranked girls cross country team in the nation. Hutchison, who was key to the Bears' historic success during the fall, is one of the state's best on the oval as well, with track PRs of 2:16.41 for 800 meters, 4:55.46 for 1600m, and 10:40.83 for 3200m.
The section's top combo jumper with bests of 17-07.50 for the long jump and 37-07.25 for the triple jump. She also runs the 100-meter dash but her best event is the TJ where she hit her PR for second at CS Masters, and won at both TRAC (37-01) and West Coast Relays (37-01.75).
The most versatile distance runner in the CS, Perez ranks among the top two for 1600m/3200m combo times, 800m/1600m combo times (where she is No. 1), and 400m/800m combo times. Her 1600m best of 4:48.51 ranks No. 3 among all state returners. Her 10:34.36 for 3200m ranks No. 6 in CA, and her 2:15.56 for 800m ranks No. 2 among HS returners in the CS.
Top combined thrower in the CS. Section leader in the shot put (42-07) and No. 2 in the discus throw (144-6) behind Caruthers junior
Nailea Fields (144-10). As a junior she had the best SP mark in 11 meets, including TRAC, North Area and Masters.
The No. 4 returning combo hurdler in CA comes into 2022 looking to improve on CS bests of 14.24 (1.0) for the 100-meter hurdles, and 43.83 over the 300-meter barriers. Her times rank No. 3 and No. 5, respectively, among CA returners. (Bib No. 4 in photo below)
The other 2023 star here from the No. 2-ranked girls cross country team in the nation. Sundgren, who ran No. 1 as Buchanan won Central Section and CIF-State Division I titles and placed second overall at the Garmin RunningLane National XC Championships, is the section's No. 1 combo distance runner with bests of 4:49.67 for 1600m (which ranks as the No. 5 returning time in CA), and 10:25.25 for 3200m (which ranks as the No. 3 returning mark).
Versatile athlete is the No. 2 returner in the state with a 2021 long jump best of 19-03.50 (0.9) to win the CS Masters last June. Also one of the top sprinters in the CS with 2021 bests of 12.15 (1.7) for 100 meters and 24.72 (2.8) for 200 meters.
The section's top 800-meter runner also ranks as the top 400m/800m combo runner. Her 800m best from 2021 of 2:14.37 ranks No. 1 in the CS and No. 14 in CA. Her 400m best of 58.54 ranks No. 3 in the CS.
