DIVISION 2 at VENTURA HS
Two of the state's all-time greats highlight the D-2 prelims. Ventura sophomore Sadie Engelhardt is the state record-holder (4:33.29) and returning State Meet champion in the 1600m. She is also scheduled to compete in the 800m, where she was second at the State Final last May as a freshman and the 4x400m relay. Engelhardt's 4:36.82 for 1600m at Mt. SAC currently ranks U.S. No. 2.
J.W. North senior Mackenzie Browne, the returning State Meet champion in the 800m, dropped a 2:03.07 two-lap time at Arcadia that ranks CA No. 3 all-time that sits currently as U.S. No. 1. Browne also is scheduled in the 1600m and on the CA No. 3-ranked 4x400m relay team (3:49.36).
Culver City and JW North figure to battle for the girl's team title next week. Leading "City" are young stars Joelle Trepagnier and Morgan Maddox. Trepagnier, a sophomore, is the defending division champion in the 400m and the current state leader (53.56). She's also scheduled in the 200m and on both relays. Maddox, a junior, was sixth at the State Meet in the 400m last May (one place ahead of Trepagnier). She's also scheduled in the 200m and both relays.
Other top girls to watch here include Calabasas juniors Zoe Ray in the long sprints and Arielle McKenzie in the short distances (she won the 800m in D-3 last year while attending La Canada); Canyon-Canyon Country junior Mikaela Warr in the sprints, Dana Hills senior Allura Markow in the distances, Shadow Hills senior Marjourie Lopez in the distances, Norco's Kaylee Best, Mater Dei junior Madison Forbes, and Ventura junior Valentina Fakrogha in the jumps; and Edison junior Alexa Sheldon, Golden Valley sophomore Kiera Donovan, and South Torrance junior Mackenzie Monson in the throws.
With returning champion Jordan now in D-1, Mater Dei looms as the team to beat on the boy's side, led by junior sprinter Nate Frazier and sophomore jumper Brandon Gorski, the state leader in the high jump. A healthy return to the track of elite hurdler Logan Lyght and the emergence of junior thrower Aydin Breland adds to the Monarchs' firepower. Lyght is the returning division champion in the 110m hurdles, his sole focus here, with Simi Valley senior Sean Brown and Thousand Oaks senior Jeremy Frank will pose as his primary challenges.
Among others to watch, Simi Valley senior Jaelon Barbarin (runner-up in the 100m last year), South Torrance senior Anthony Flowers, Westlake junior Orekoya Ifeoluwaleyi, and Portola junior Rider Cooper in the sprints; Royal senior Jonah Bazerkanian, West Ranch senior Bille Issa (returning 3200m champion), Dana Hills sophomore Evan Noonan, Ventura junior Anthony Fast Horse, and Westlake senior KC Barber in the distances; Arlington senior Toluwalope Jekayinfa and Redlands East Valley senior Jeremiah Bolanos in the triple jump; Newport Harbor senior Leo Davis and Westlake junior Cade Sommers in the pole vault, and seniors Adam Laycock (Westlake), Dezmen Watkins (Ramona), and Wyatt Schrader (Ventura), and junior George Stansell (Canyon-Canyon Country) leading the throws. In addition to Schrader, Ventura will look to be in position to get big points in the throws with senior Ian Hughes and junior Erik MuroMurillo.