Congratulations to JSerra (SS) senior Jake Stafford, the fan-poll voting favorite as the top performer at the 2023 CIF-State Track and Field Championships.
Jake won the high jump (6-07) and also medaled in the discus throw, placing sixth (182-02), helping JSerra to the runner-up team trophy.
In the discus, his final throw was his best, nearly a seven-foot improvement that moved him up the standings. In the high jump, he had third-attempt clearances at 6-04, 6-06, and on the winning height to beat three others who had cleared 6-06.
Stafford received 48 percent of the vote in a statewide poll. His teammate, senior Brendon See, received 20 percent of the vote, and Long Beach Poly (SS) junior Xai Ricks earned 13 percent.
* * *
Photo by Daniel Hernandez and Dan Tyree