102nd CIF-STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
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One in a series of event-group recaps from Friday's Prelims from the CIF-State Meet at Buchanan HS in Clovis
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Getting to the California State Championships, with its one-level format, is one of the greatest challenges at the prep scene for track and field. To survive the multiple rounds needed to continually advance and then the most daunting of all tasks -- to get past Friday's State Meet Prelims!
With that, our top squads advanced most of their stars unscathed and advanced onto Saturday's State Championship finals. Let's break down the team title races as for the first time since 2019 -- we will crown the California Track & Field Team Champions!
BOYS TEAM BATTLE
Folks - what we have here is a true team title battle with less than five points separating Upland and Central as both are slated to score between 35-40 points!Upland (SS) - We have four squads in the running but it is Upland that comes in as the favorite. Although they did not qualify their 4x100 relay squad and senior Christopher Coats just missed advancing in the 200 meters, the hurdling quartet remained intact. In advancing three in BOTH hurdles, we project them to score over 30-35 points in the hurdles combined while Coats looks for a top-six finish in the 400m to add to that total.
Central (CS) - The Grizzlies advanced in five events, including the fastest 400-relay. Resting out some of their best, they also advanced in the 4x400 relay. Advancing two in the 200 meters, along with senior Jeremiah Walker stepping up with a PR to claim the top time in the 400m, we are projecting 18-20 points in those events. Senior Cameron Tarver advanced in the 100 meters and with the relays, we project 16-18 points!
Clovis (CS) - With junior Christopher Caudillo slated to score between 18-20 points in the 1600/3200 combo, also watch for senior Nathan Johnson who projects to garner an additional 10-12 points between the 100 meters and long jump.
Great Oak (SS) - JC Stevenson projects for top-three finishes in the Long and Triple Jump, but do not be surprised if he captures both events! Aiden Pastorian will also contend for the win in the Shot Put so we have the Wolfpack (of two) penciled in for 26-28 points.
GIRLS TEAM BATTLE
The battle for the Girls State team title is much more complicated with far more revolving parts across the board. Golden Valley goes into Saturday as the favorites but a hiccup here or there will open the door for others, especially Clovis North!
Golden Valley (SS) - They open it up as the favorites in the 4x100 relay. Meanwhile, senior Kylee Davis did not advance in the high jump, but she is a major favorite for the long jump. Sophomore Meagan Humphries seeks major points in the high jump while junior Adonijah Currie projects for a top-three finish in the 200 meters. With junior Ta'ahjah Fann a pleasant surprise in advancing in the 100 meters, we project for 34-36 points.
Clovis North (CS) - Senior Takiya Cenci plays a huge role here projected to score 16-18 points between the 200 and 400 while the Broncos boast one of the top 4x400 squads in the State. But, what makes this more intriguing now is Tatum Zinkin now projecting to score points in the 800 meters. In what might come down to the 4x400 relay, we have this group slated for 30 points!
Cathedral Catholic (SD) - With only two scorers, they remain in the fight. Junior Kapiolani Coleman advanced in both hurdles and we have her penciled in for 16 points while senior Kennedy Clarke qualified in both throws where we see her scoring between 14-15 points.
Serra (SS) - The duo of juniors Jordan Washington and Brazil Neal projects to combine for 20-22 points in the 100 and 200 meters. Meanwhile, their 4x100 relay squad projects for a top-three finish.
Long Beach Poly (SS) , Carson (LA), and Long Beach Wilson (SS) are all penciled in to score between 20-25 points as well.
Mark Gardner is a regular contributor to MileSplit.
Photos by DeAnna Turner, Daniel Hernandez, and Dan Tyree
