2011 San Diego Section T & F Preview!
By: Chris Ruff
2010 was a banner year for San Diego in many events, with historic depth of talent in events like the boys 400, where four runners broke the 49 second barrier, led by Ryan Morgan(12) of Ramona, who prevailed in the Section finals at 48.52, helping his team win the DIV II CIF Team Championship. For the girls, there has never in the history of San Diego track and field, been depth of talent to match the 2010 group of 1600 meter runners. CIF finals alone produced a stunning six runners eclipsing the magical 5:00 barrier, a race ultimately won by Torrey Pine’s Alli Billmeyer in 4:45.06, the #2 All-Time performance in San Diego Prep history. Perhaps most exciting of all is the possibility of an even stronger year in this event for 2011. Of the seven runners who broke 5:00 in 2010, all but two (Megan Morgan(Torrey Pines), Erin Menefee (Mt. Carmel)), are returning this season.
The 4x100 Relays
The relays are always tricky with various members of key teams graduating and inevitable injuries that remain an ever present threat to teams jockeying for important team points and CA State Meet births.
Girls: Three teams broke 49 seconds last year, but Steele Canyon had three seniors on their team that placed 3rd in CIF, Including Paige Neville. Granite Hills would appear to be a threat to dethrone El Camino, but appearances can be deceiving. Early this fall, the twin tandem of Taylor and Nikki Larch-Miller, who represented Granite Hills last year, changed residences and will now represent the Falcons of Torrey Pines. With the addition of the Larch-Miller sisters to an always strong, Torrey Pines team, the Falcons become and immediate threat at the top of the San Diego relay hierarchy. However, the team to beat in 2011 remains the El Camino Lady Wildcats with their trio of amazing sophomore returnees Mishe Scott, Wendy Garcia, and Jasmine Gibbs, who with the help of the now graduated Amber Rosario, ran 48.06 to lead the section list in 2010. Gibbs makes this team tough to beat with her astounding 11.83 sophomore clocking at the 100M distance far and above any sprinter in the section.
Boys: The El Camino boys also won a section title in 2010 but return only two legs of their 42.43 SDCIF section leading team. Mira Mesa dropped in prelims last year after leading the section most of the year with their 42.54(c) clocking pre CIF meet. Torrey Pines returns three legs (Sean Haratyle (10), Mitch Yokum (12), Dan Averbuj (12)) from their runner-up finishing team of a year ago. Steele Canyon, Ramona, and Mt. Carmel all have sprint depth to burn and can certainly enter the mix. The distinction of San Diego’s best short relay team will probably come down to which teams manage to stay healthy. There is an outstanding chance that San Diego could have as many as three teams under the 42 second barrier.
The 1600 Meters
Girls: As referred to earlier, there is little doubt that this event contains the best returning group of talent ever for the 1600 Meter distance, with four girls clocking sub 5 minute performances in ’10. Alli Billmeyer, Torrey Pines, certainly has the best range of any of the returnees with her 2:09.94 800 meter run (#6 AT SD Section), 4:45.06 1600M (#2 AT SD Section), and her astonishing 10:18.7h 3200M (Fastest ever in SD, though not a CIF Record because it was accomplished in a dual meet). Billmeyer showed great improvement in X-Country in ’10 and will look to build on that success in search of her first CA State title in this event. Olympian, Darcy Arreola’s section record has reigned supreme for nearly twenty-five years. Look for Billmeyer to put this record to its first real test since being set in 1986.
There is no shortage of accomplished runners, and precocious underclassmen, right on Billmeyer’s heals. The biggest threat to Billmeyer’s dominance here is Rancho Bernardo’s Molly Grabill, a familiar foe, and one of the most decorated distance runners in Section history. Grabill clocked a personal best of 4:49.64 in this event last year, taking third in the SD Section meet. Strength is Grabill’s biggest asset, with the proof being her three San Diego Section Championships in the 8-Lap race culminating with her capturing the CA State Championship while setting the SD Section record of 10:20.25.
A gaggle of young runners, in the form of La Costa Canyon’s Kelly Lawson (10) 4:50.05 and Ellie Abrahamson (10) 10:57.86 for 3200 will challenge the queens here. Caitlin Krol (11), Cathedral Catholic (4:58.89), Ashlyn Dadkah (11), Torrey Pines (5:02.21), and Sabrina Seay (10), Mt. Carmel (5:04.13), all look to take the steps to vault them to the elite echelons of the San Diego distance scene.
Newcomers that could shake up the higher echelons of this fantastic group include freshman distance newcomers Emma Abrahamson (La Costa Canyon), Anne Charles (Canyon Crest), and Ashley Cope (Vista), who all had very strong 9th grade X-Country seasons.
Boys: The boys don’t have the credentials of the girls at this distance as far as All-Time section list members, but the depth here is impressive nonetheless. Of the seventeen runners that eclipsed 4:21 in ’10, a ridiculous number of them were underclassmen, twelve to be exact.
Chris Brewer (12, pictured left) Rancho Buena Vista, has the best returning time at this distance with his 4:11.12 ’10 clocking and 4:11.29 win in the Section here. The latest of RBV’s veteran coach, Tom Lux, Brewer possesses all the talent and toughness to reduce the 4:11.12 clocking to well under 4:10 this season.
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Though it was Brewer who was the one to watch going into the state meet, it was Ryan Urie (pictured right) of Patrick Henry who stunned the CA Sate Meet field with his 2nd place finish (4:21.44) in a tactical final. Urie’s 4:12.86 PR indicates he has the potential to run any type of race. With a kick as lethal as any in California, Urie can potentially win any race in which he can hang on to leader.
Matt Carpowich (12) Torrey Pines, who personally remodeled the landscape of SD boys X-Country and track last year, will not sneak up on anyone this Spring. Carpowich’s best of 4:13.40 in his first year of the 4-lap distance, shows great promise, as does his 1:53.25, 800 meter best that left him just on the outside of the State Finals in the 2-lap race. Carpowich, with Urie, were the class of the section for Cross in 2010, culminating with his qualifying for the Footlocker Nationals race.
Darren Fahy (11) La Costa Canyon, took San Diego by storm in the Spring and cranked out some heady times in both the 1600 (4:12.08) and 3200 (8:59.88-State Finals), with his 3200 believed to be the fastest soph time in section history. Though Fahy concentrated on breaking through the 9:00 barrier most of last year for the 3200, don’t be surprised to see him make great strides in the 1600 for 2011.
That leaves no less than 7 returnees with ’10 bests under 4:21, including, Kyle Lynch (12) RBV 4:15.40, Connor Jaramillo (12) Poway 4:16.59, Geoff Bogan (12) Rancho Bernardo 4:18.38, Tom Valente (12) Cathedral Catholic 4:19.56, Andrew Farkas (12) La Jolla 4:19.78, Cameron Barela (12) Mission Hills 4:20.29, and Dylan Blankenbaker (11) Ramona 4:20.69.
The 100HH/110HH
Girls: Danielle Littleton (Vista 14.26), now graduated, was by far the class of the field over the last two years in the short hurdle race. Her 14.13 clocking in 2009, stands as the current section record. Melissa Barnum (Rancho Bernardo #9 All-Time SD Section 14.62), and Iesha Iwobi (Oceanside) also have moved on, leaving a group of outstanding juniors, and sophomores, and one former queen steadily regaining her previous brilliance that once had her at the top of the San Diego Section elite in 2008, to battle for the top spot.
Devin Collins (11) Granite Hills, with her 14.81 wind aided mark in CIF Finals in route to her 4th place finish last Spring, is the slight favorite here. Once part of perhaps the best tandem of girls hurdlers in San Diego prep history with Taylor Larch-Miller at Granite Hills, Collins has been left solely in charge as the leadership of the great Granite Hills hurdler legacy in 2011. Larch-Miller, for her part did clock at 15.53 in the Grossmont Conference Prelims, but struggled with confidence after a serious early season injury incurred at the Bronco Invite, had her at less than 100% all season long. Larch-Miller has now switched schools to Torrey Pines, with the success of her adjustment period to a new school and a new coach to be determined.
Tamika Smith (11) El Camino, is the next junior to battle for short hurdle supremacy with her 15.05 wind aided mark, also at CIF finals, putting her right behind Devin Collins for 5th in the Section Meet. Smith’s development here will be a key to the team CIF aspirations of the Lady Wildcats in 2011.
Joniece Irvin (11) Oceanside, was slightly inconsistent in 2010 for this event bud did manage to clock a 15.35 wind legal race at the Valley League Finals to make her the 4th best returnee for 2011. Look for Irvin to make great strides and lower her PR significantly this spring at the short hurdle distance.
Perhaps the most intriguing story for this discipline in 2011 will be that of Tia Knight (12) Steele Canyon. Knight set the Section on fire in 2008 en route to her CIF Championship in this race as a member of the Helix High Team. In 2009 Knight disappeared from the scene for nearly the entire season as the result of a disputed transfer from Helix to Steele Canyon, leaving her out of the elite competitions. 2010 saw Knight return as a Cougar and after some inconsistency throughout the season, return nearly to her freshman form to capture 6th place in the Section Finals with a 15.13 wind aided mark. Knight’s PR of 14.94 as a freshman, ranks 16th on the all-time San Diego list. For those who don’t remember 2008, Knight will be a surprise here. For those who do remember, the only surprise will be if Knight does not fulfill her abundant potential.
Others to watch: Andre Ringler (11) Mission Hills 15.58w, Charlotte & Madeline Wahl (12) Rancho Bernardo 15.60’s for each, Morgan Rehm (10) San Pasqual 15.61, and Alyssa Chang (10) Otay Ranch 15.65w.
Boys: Kevin Finley (Granite Hills) and his #2 All-Time 13.96, have moved on, but there is no shortage of young challengers for the SD hurdle throne, led by Devin Hickey (11) Vista, the fastest sophomore to ever run the barriers in San Diego.
Hickey is a substantial favorite in this race for 2011 as his 14.17 wind-legal best (’10 CIF Finals) stands over a half second between his nearest returning rival, and ranks him as the second fastest returning 110HH hurdler in all of California, behind ’10 State Champion, Jonathan Cabral (13.54, Aguora). Though Hickey will no doubt respect his local opponents, his sights can’t help but be set on a podium finish at the State Meet.
In hot pursuit of the Hickey will be, Julian Todd-Borden (11) La Costa Canyon, who’s 14.77 ranks as the 2nd best returnee (fully auto), who was 6th in last years CIF DIV I finals, Jacob Hare (12) Scripps Ranch 14.74(c) 9th CIF, and Deante Kemper (12) Serra 14.97 5th in 2010 CIF follow close behind.
Others to watch: Isiah Jackson (11) El Camino 15.15, Chris Canseco (12) University City 15.32, Devin Saunders (12) Rancho Bernardo 15.44 (c), Sage Hangstrom (12) La Jolla Country Day 15.44(c), and Grant Zebold (10) Cathedral Catholic 15.44.
The 400 Meters
Girls: Two girls separated themselves from the field last year in the Section Finals meet. Jasmine Askew (12) Scripps Ranch, got out fast and hung on to beat Nikki Larch-Miller (11) Granite Hills (Now of Torrey Pines) 56.84 to Larch-Miller’s 57.17. The matchup between these two mega talents looks to be an intriguing storyline all season long.
Over a second behind Askew and Larch-Miller at the Section Meet was Kiera Williams (10) Otay Ranch, whose personal record from ’10 is 58.37. Williams could emerge into a rival for both Askew and Larch-Miller by year’s end.
Daquarius Morrison (12) Monte Vista 58.20, also made great improvement in 2010 and looks to vie for the final State Meet birth here in the 400 meters.
Others to watch: Daniela Sullivan (12) Eastlake 58.92, Sadie Gimber (12) Coronado 58.99, Destinee Harrison (12) Morse 59.20, Kiana Valdez (12) Central Union 59.25, and Alex Parks (12) Mt. Carmel 59.42.
Boys: The boys 400 Meters in 2010 proved to be a pleasant surprise, as no less than five boys eclipsed the 49 second barrier. However, all but one of those five matriculated to the next level, leaving only Walfrido Rodriguez (12) Mt Miguel 48.67 to tow the 400 meter line.
Rodriguez was dealing with a foot injury for most of the 2010 spring, which inhibited his progress near the end of the season. Now fully recovered, Rodriguez actually ran cross- country to improve his endurance in preparation for the 2011 track season. Look for him to challenge the 48 second barrier early and often.
Perhaps the only real challenge to Rodriguez at the top would be Jared Pickering (12) Rancho Bernardo 49.20, who only attempted this distance once last year. It is more likely that Pickering and Coach Don Jones will choose to stick to this sprinter’s specialties of the 100 and 200 meters.
Another rumored to be moving up in distance this year from the 200 is Zach Kovach (12) Ramona, a 22.33 half-lapper. They grow them fast in the hills of Ramona, and Kovach looks to extend the tradition set by Ryan Morgan.
The list of returning challengers include: Joseph Cisneros (12) Steele Canyon 49.58, Jose Prieto (11) Palo Verde 49.60, Sage Hangstrom (12) La Jolla Country Day 49.78, Nicholas Aly (12) San Pasqual 49.87, and Hanssell Wilson (12) Valhalla 49.89.
The 100 Meters
Girls: Jasmine Gibbs (11) El Camino is by far and away the brightest star returning for the girls 100 meters. Her 11.83 clocking in the CA State Prelims may be one of the fastest wind legal times to NOT MAKE A STATE FINAL, finishing with the 11th fastest time of the day, leaving her just out of the finals. Gibbs’s 11.83 however, does establish her as the #7 fastest performer All-Time in the San Diego Section. With both Jenna Puterbaugh, Sante Fe Christian (11.69), and Kortney Ross, Westview (11.89) moving to the college ranks, there seems to be no real sprint rival remaining for Gibbs. As we have been accustomed to seeing though, someone always seems to step up.
Karly Zlatic (10) La Jolla, also impressed here as a sophomore in the Section Finals, finishing only behind Puterbaugh, Gibbs, and Ross , with her 12.23 wind aided mark. Zlatic’s best wind legal mark from 2010 was only 12.69, but don’t let that fool you, as her 4th place finish in the “A Heat” CIF race bodes well for this young sprinter’s future. Her battle tested freshman year will help her progression immensely this spring.
A trio of veterans will challenge Zlatic for the rights to contest at the top with Gibbs, including Janay Pierce (12) University City 12.33, T.T. Byrum (12) Escondido 12.36, and Mishe Scott (11) El Camino 12.43. Pierce is truly a great talent if she can stay injury free for this, her final prep track season. Byrum is also a veteran who ran well early last year and has loads of experience at the CIF level as a member of some very talented Escondido girl’s teams. Scott is a battle-tested member of the El Camino girls’ juggernaut, who is capable of a large breakthrough at this distance.
Others to watch: Corryn Barney (11) Patrick Henry 12.44, Alexis Hernandes (10) Mt Carmel 12.54(c), and Allison Hailey (11) Mission Hills 12.55.
Boys: Nich Gonzalves (11) St. Augustine 10.90, is the highest placing finisher from last year’s CIF Championship, but he may have been the recipient of some good fortune via the bad fortune of two sprinters also on the track with him that day. Shamone Fletcher (12) Mira Mesa 10.73, had an “off day” here in the Section Meet last year, and Jared Pickering (12) Rancho Bernardo 11.74 (11.72 wind aided PR) stumbled and nearly fell in last year’s final, leaving him at 10.91, a step behind. Fletcher showed his poise by coming back to run his PR of 10.73 on that sizzling hot sprint competition that was the CA State Meet in Fresno. As for the CIF meet, Pickering took his frustration out on the 200 meter field later in the day to win in a 21.55 wind legal race.
A ways back but certainly ready to break into the elite category of boys sprinters for San Diego are Donald Molton (10) Otay Ranch 10.95, Marquis Roach (12) University City 10.95, Dylan McCloskey (12) El Camino 10.96 (windy), and Tracey McNair (10) Morse 11.02.
With both Molton and McNair running such times as just freshman in ’10, it looks like the San Diego Section may be making strides to returning some elite boys to the state podium sooner than later. Molton certainly is not lacking in confidence or skills. The McNair name should sound familiar, as Tracey McNair Sr. was an outstanding prep jumper/sprinter at Morse as well. The young McNair is well on his way to continuing that tradition at his father’s alma mater.
The 800 Meters
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Girls: Alli Billmeyer (12, pictured right) Torrey Pines is by far the class of SD Section field at this distance. Billmeyer blistered a 2:09.94 last spring (UCSD Open Race), and ran 2:10.42 in the CIF Section Prelims to lend some credence to her PR. However, Billmeyer dropped the 800 for the Section Finals, electing instead to divert her full attention to attempting to capture a State 1600 meter title. At any rate, Billmeyer’s times from last year are nearly three seconds better than any of her returning competitors for 2011. Perhaps the only intrigue here will be whether or not she chooses to attempt the double at the CIF meet or again choose to focus here attention and fitness to the CA state title that eluded her last Spring, as she finished second in the State Finals with a time of 4:47.79.
As dominant as Billmeyer was last year at this distance, there are some very talented returning girls that could make things interesting should Billmeyer choose to forgo this race at CIF.
Billmeyer’s teammate, Ashlyn Dadkah (11) 2:13.10 has shown great promise in this race since her 2009 debut as the freshman in the Torrey Pines distance stable that rivaled any in the history of San Diego Prep track. Dadkah just missed the CA State Meet finals in ’10 finishing with the 11th best time of the prelims (Top 9 advanced), after finishing 2nd overall at the CIF Meet to Amanda Post of Cathedral Catholic. Though she has posted some very impressive 800’s the last two seasons, one shouldn’t be surprised if Coach Thorne moves Dadkah up in distance for the 2011 track season, a tactic that could very well have been the plan from day one. Only time will tell.
Bursting on to the girls 800 scene last year was Otay Ranch’s frosh phenom, Carina Gillespie, who posted a 2:14.89 PR in CIF Finals to place 3rd, earning her a spot in the State Meet. Gillespie possesses great speed and an abundance of talent with which to challenge the elite runners in the state.
Charlotte Kuzminsky (11) Canyon Crest 2:15.50, made great strides at this distance late last year after spending much of her first two seasons running seemingly every event possible. A talented all-around athlete with a distinguishable gate, Kuzminsky should never be underestimated to challenge here.
Others to watch: Lauren Hall (12) Mt. Carmel 2:17.32, Amanda Mulkey (12) Fallbrook 2:17.41, and Caitlin Krol (11) Cathedral Catholic 2:17.92.
Boys: The boys 800 is absolutely loaded with seniors for 2011. Of the top sixteen returning athletes in this event, all but Darren Fahy (La Costa Canyon) 1:56.80, are 12th graders.
Matt Carpowich (pictured left) again appears on this list, but unlike the 1600, he is the top returnee. His 1:53.25 Sate Prelims time that left him three spots out of the finals, in what may have been California’s toughest 800 meters field in history, has left him hungry to take the next step. 2010 was a season of setting, breaking, and again setting his goals without many expectations or pressure. 2011 will see Carpowich race in elite company more often and perhaps challenge the magical 1:52 barrier that would land him in the top ten 800m runners in SD Section history.
One must not forget though, that Carpowich is not the defending CIF Champion. That distinction goes to his Falcon’s teammate, Trent Newquist. Newquist (12), charged down the homestretch in the CIF race to beat Carpowich with his 1:54.29 lifetime PR. Granted Carpowich ran a tough 1600m race earlier in the meet, but that very well may be the case again this Spring, depending on how Torrey Pines fares in the team title possibilities.
More seniors must be mentioned with the Torrey Pines duo at the top of the San Diego talent pool for 800m. Shyan Vaziri (12) Scripps Ranch 1:55.10 finished third in the CIF finals race mentioned earlier and has posted some nice pre-season times at 1600, including his 4:29.21 at the “Matadors’ All-Comer Meet” on February 12th. Vaziri could seriously challenge here or at 1600 meters.
Carlos Bojorquez (12) Kearney 1:54.77 has a better personal record than Vaziri, and a great deal of talent to go with it. Bojorquez made a crucial mistake in last year’s prelims nearly missing the “A” heat of the CIF meet all together. Bojorquez ran a comfortable prelim, perhaps forgetting that advancement to the “A” heat in San Diego is on time alone. A late scratch by a qualifying runner afforded Bojorquez a spot in the “A” Heat final, where he finished 3rd and qualified for Fresno. Look for his experience to serve him well this spring.
Kyle Lynch (12) Rancho Buena Vista 1:55.23, had a strong showing last year in his CIF as well, finishing just behind Vaziri for 4th place. Lynch, with his 4:15.40 1600m speed, may have to make a tough choice between the 1600 and 800 come CIF time.
Others to watch: Andrew Richardson (12) Carlsbad 1:56.67, Connor Jaramillo (12) Poway 1:56.77, Darren Fahy (11) LCC 1:56.80, Thomas Valente (12) Cathedral Catholic 1:57.12, and Chris Brewer (12) RBV 1:57.20 (if he chooses to use the 2-lap distance as anything but speed work).
The 300LH/IH
Girls: The girls 300LH event, if not the most elite, may turn out the most intriguing and competitive event on the schedule this spring. The list of returnees is loaded with underclassmen, as seven of the fastest ten have more than one year of eligibility remaining.
Leading the charge in this race are juniors Joniece Ervin of Oceanside, Devin Collins of Granite Hills, Taylor Larch-Miller of Torrey Pines, and Tamika Smith of El Camino.
Ervin, 44.11 on her way to the Valley League Championship, is the returning CIF Champion and #10 on the All-Time San Diego charts. Showing steady improvement across the entire spring season in ’10, Ervin is prepped to make a charge at a State Finals birth.
El Camino’s Smith 44.52, is the returning CIF runner-up just behind Ervin in 2010. Smith improved over 2 full seconds in this race from her freshman year, but is also one of the county’s premier jumpers in the long and triple jumps, which could inhibit her ability to make similar gains this spring. Obviously, ultra-talented, Smith might be the most gifted athlete in the 300LH field, perhaps the entire county.
Devin Collins 44.42, had the 2nd fastest time in the SD Section in 2010 but had a major disaster in the Section Finals to finish 8th in the “A” heat at 48.92, after falling. Collins seemed to flourish with confidence after her teammate and friendly rival Taylor Larch-Miller, suffered an early season injury that inhibited her hurdle progress. Collins has all the tools to run in the 42’s for this discipline and no shortage of coaching talent to help here along. Jim Hunter, longtime Granite Hills head coach, and architect of the best overall boys and girls hurdling programs in San Diego history, with the help of two of his former athletes, his son Jeff, and Chris Costa, have seamlessly produced great hurdlers with a steady stream of high-level consistency. Collins will be extremely tough to beat.
Forgotten by some last year after an early season injury was Taylor Larch-Miller. Larch-Miller, along with her sister Nikki, have taken their considerable talents to the Falcons of Torrey Pines. Larch-Miller never really was the same in the hurdles after her early season injury, but flourished as a member of both of the Granite Hills relays teams that were among the best in San Diego. It remains unclear whether the lack of performance in the hurdles was a result of a specific injury or just a confidence issue. One must not forget, Larch-Miller as just a freshman in 2009, was 2nd in the entire section and a state meet qualifier with her 44.62 in the CIF Finals. Larch-Miller could very well be the most talented hurdler in San Diego. It remains to be seen however, what affect the change of residences, schools, and coaches will have on young Larch-Miller for 2011.
San Diego, in the entire history of this event, has had only eight girls eclipse the 44 second barrier. It is possible, perhaps even likely, this year there will be four girls to do just that. With all of the aforementioned ladies being underclassmen, for the first time in a very long time, Gail Devers’s 42.26 Section Record could be in jeopardy by the conclusion of the Class of ’13.
Others to watch: Morgan Rehm (10) San Pasqual 46.36, Marlene Estell (12) Mission Hills 46.49, Janaysha Lyons-Walker (10)Morse 46.59, Jade Palm (12) Bonita Vista 46.69, and Alyssa Chang (10) Otay Ranch 46.87.
Boys: The 2010 Section Finals race was one of the best ever as Kevin Finely won the race in 38.05, the battle for the other two CA State Meet births found three boys battling down the stretch to finish within .6 of each other. Eventually, Jacob Hare (12) Scripps Ranch 38.41, and Alex Allen (12) Mt Carmel 38.44, edged out then Sophomore, Devin Hickey (11) Vista 38.47 for the final two spots to Fresno.
Hare has great speed and has been competing well in winter all-comers meet formats looking to break into the 37’s sooner rather than later. Hare’s 38.41 is the top time amongst the returning hurdlers.
Alex Allen has had a tremendous career, running some of the fastest freshman and sophomore times ever at this distance. In his earlier years, Allen was amongst the best 400 meter runners in the county as well, though recently focusing the majority of his attention to the event with barriers. Allen is a mega talent and could emerge as one of the elites in section history.
Devin Hickey with his 38.47 of a year ago is amongst the best sophomores in section history for this distance and looks to continue his improvement here. In the past it may have seemed Hickey’s focus was solely on the 110HH race with a casual “dabbling” in the longer event. Last year’s CIF performance certainly dispelled that theory. The sky is the limit for young Hickey as he looks to establish himself as one of the best double threat hurdlers in San Diego history.
The 200 Meters
Girls: Jenna Puterbaugh (SFC) #4 All-Time in the section has matriculated to USC, leaving behind a very talented group of young ladies to battle it out for the top spot at the 200 meter distance.
Jasmine Gibbs, El Camino, again shows here as the top returnee with her 24.57w from CIF Finals and a 24.92 wind legal PR from the 2011 CIF prelims. Gibbs is the most consistent of the returnees here with 5 performances under 25 seconds to her credit, though three of the performances in races over the allowable wind readings. This is usually Gibbs’s 4th event of a meet and fatigue could play a bit of a factor as the season progresses, but don’t bet on it.
Karly Zlatic, La Jolla, set the San Diego sprint scene on fire last year en route to her 24.92 wind-aided finals run, to place her 2nd in DII behind Puterbaugh and 3rd overall to earn her a trip to the State Meet. Her 25.00 wind legal race at CIF Prelims was nearly a two second improvement from the beginning of the 2010 season. Showing no fear in Fresno at the State Meet, Zlatic recorded a 25.03 wind legal race in the prelims, to capture the 16th fastest time of the evening, while running a tad faster than the 25.19 wind-aided race recorded by Gibbs at the same meet.
More familiar names crowd the top of the San Diego half-lap ranks as Cortny Barney, Patrick Henry (25.07w), Janay Pierce, University City (25.13w), Nikki Larch-Miller, Torrey Pines (25.38w), and Alexis Hernandez, Mt. Carmel (25.43w), all return as 2010 CIF finalist competitors. Jade Cummings (10), Rancho Bernardo (25.53) consistently improved last year in her first Prep season. Alexis Ferebee (11) Mission Bay (25.74) has talent to burn and could really make waves at the top of this field later in the year.
Boys: Jared Pickering (12) Rancho Bernardo, is far and away the class of this field to start the season. His 21.35 PR from the 2010 Section Prelims is nearly a full second ahead of his nearest rival at this distance. Pickering finished 8th in the CA State Finals last season in a very fast race with his 21.37w clocking. A transfer from out of state last year to Rancho Bernardo, Pickering should show steady improvement with his acclimation period to a new school now expired, replaced by a comfortable routine. Pickering can really crank out a turn and has a silky smooth stride when he opens up on the straight….look for him to challenge the 21.00 barrier that only two in section history (Ike Okenwa(Morse, 1998) and Vince Williams (University City, 1996) have managed to accomplish.
Donald Molton, Otay Ranch’s Super Frosh from a year ago, returns as the 2nd fastest in San Diego at this distance with his 22.14 form CIF finals. Molton lacks no confidence or drive to enter the elite of the state sprinting faction and will surprise no one with a progression to the mid to low 21’s.
Zach Kovach (12) Ramona 22.22, has the 3rd best returning PR for the SD boys, but if his rumored move up to the 400 proves true, it will be very difficult for him to come back after the 400 and run with the “Big Boys” at this distance. With a few rare exceptions, coming back after a tough 400 race is not anything like coming back from only the 4x100 and 100 meters. Kovach is a power runner who could surprise here, 400 before, or not.
Dylan McCloskey (11) El Camino 22.38 (22.34w) was 6th in last years DI finals as just a Sophomore and looks to be yet another very talented underclassmen to replace what in 2010 proved to be a senior-laden 200 Meter field.
Larell Ward (12) Helix 22.70(22.37w) is a bit of an enigma, as Helix didn’t compete much on Saturday’s last year. Rumors are that there is yet another head coaching change at Helix for 2011. Ward might be the best all-around athlete in this field. A new coach and time will tell what Ward will accomplish this spring.
Walfrido Rodriguez (12) Mt Miguel 22.39, looks like a college linebacker and runs like a wide receiver. Rodriguez is a big man who has actually been racing at the 800 meter distance in winter all-comers meets to improve his aerobic capacity. Last year a foot injury flared at the worst time, leaving him hobbling at CIF finals. If Rodriguez can avoid another flair up of his foot, he could really make some waves at this distance.
Nick Gonsalves (11) St. Augustine 22.39, is just hitting his stride at this distance. He was 4th in last year’s CIF DIV II placing and could break through to challenge for a State Meet birth here. His 10.90, 100 meter speed bodes well for him against this particular field.
Others to watch: Trevor Stevens (12) Cathedral Catholic 22.43, Shamone Fletcher (12) Mira Mesa 22.44c, Mark Reynolds (12) Southwest IV 22.45, Joseph Cisneros (12) Steele Canyon 22.53, Evan Gray (11) Poway 22.54c, Marquis Roach (12) University City 22.54.
The 3200 Meters
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Girls: Molly Grabill (12, pictured left) Rancho Bernardo 10:20.25 has never been beaten by local competition at this distance and happens to be the CIF Section record holder. Grabill, who has committed to Oregon, added a CA State Championship to her resume last spring to go along with her 2009 State Division I cross-country title. More recently this winter, Grabill qualified to the U.S. Junior Worlds Team by placing 2nd in the junior race at the USATF Cross-Country Championships. In recent articles, Grabill has stated that a run at a sub 10:00 8-Lap race is certainly a goal but “the conditions would have to be perfect.”
Grabill is, and deserves to be, the favorite here but don’t count out the possibility of a showdown at some point with Torrey Pine’s Billmeyer. Billmeyer raced to the fastest time ever recorded in the section last year with her 10:18.7 (hand timed) dual meet performance. The race did not meet the criteria necessary for Section Record purposes, but it remains incredible! From a track fan’s perspective this match up would be a dream race. Once again, only time will tell.
Like the 1600, SD has an abundance of female talent at the distance. Returning are Ellie Abrahamson (10), La Costa Canyon 10:57.86, Shanna St. Laurent (12), RBV 11:08.11, and Sabrina Seay, Valley Center 11:09.51.
Emma Abrahamson, the 9th grade sister of Ellie, burst onto the cross-country scene this winter, placing 4th in the Division I CIF race. In pre-season winter all-comers action, Emma managed a 10:59 while running on a rain soaked day. Her addition to this field will certainly make things interesting.
Adding to the mix will be Poway’s, Aimee Trujillo (12), who made a healthy and triumphant return to the Cross-Country elite this past fall, placing 6th in the CIF finals Div I race.
As mentioned earlier, Cope (Vista) and Charles (Canyon Crest) could make an impact here as freshman.
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Boys: The SD Section and the State of California, has shown a resurgence of talent at this distance to an enormous degree the last two seasons. Eric Avila (Bonita Vista) won the State Meet with a 9:01.77 in 2007 to capture the 3rd State Title at 3200 by a SD Runner. In 2010, Darren Fahy (11, pictured right) La Costa Canyon, charged to an 8:59.88 in the State Finals, only to finish in 8th place!!!! Times have certainly changed.
Though difficult to confirm, Fahy is believed to be the fastest sophomore in Section History at the 3200 distance. Of the fastest twelve returnees at this distance, Fahy is the only underclassmen representative here. Already 13th on the All-Time SD Section list, look for Fahy to move up that list in ’11.
Fahy easily handled the competition last year at the CIF meet, with most of those poised to challenge him electing to concentrate on the 1600 for various reasons. Of those returning this year, Chris Brewer (12) RBV 9:14.47 is probably the most likely to join Fahy under the 9:00 threshold. Carpowich from Torrey Pines has been documented in a “milesplit.com” article (click here) during cross as saying he’d like to break 9:00 in the 3200 this season. Many talented runners have attempted the feat with the likes of even Mac Fleet (University City), unable to get in the right race to get it done. Carpowich will almost certainly not run this distance at CIF, and Brewer will most likely be doubling back from the 1600. What may add some intrigue is whether or not Fahy elects to double this year rather than just concentrate on the 3200 for CIF.
Ryan Urie(12) Patrick Henry 9:32.44 had arguably the best Harrier season of all the boys this year, could really challenge here if he chooses to do so. His 9:32.44 PR is a bit misleading as it was run at the Bronco Meet last March. Urie chose to concentrate on the 1600, and ended the season 2nd in the State Meet at that distance. His choice could shake everything up for this distance. Those familiar with Urie understand that if he stays close to the leader, his kick is simply lethal.
Alex Smith (12) Poway 9:20.30, is the 3rd fastest returnee but he stressed fractured prior to cross country making him a bit of a mystery here. Smith is a very hard worker with outstanding talent and could very well come back nicely for the spring track season.
Jeff Bogan (12) Rancho Bernardo 9:27.84, had some brilliant cross country performances this past season, leaving the appearance that he has made considerable gains in his fitness that should translate well on the track at this distance.
Others to watch: Anthony Girolamo (12) Rancho Bernardo 9:31.10, Andrew Farkas (12) La Jolla 9:34.47, Shinaola Agbede (12) Bonita Vista 9:35.58, Michael Froboese (12) Fallbrook 9:36.08, Connor Jaramillo (12) Poway 9:36.73, and Andrew Eckberg (12) Torrey Pines 9:36.83.
The Long Jump
Girls: Jasmine Gibbs appears at the top of the Section Returnee list here for the 3rd time. Gibbs’s leaped to a huge 19’9 effort last year in the Section Finals, taking her to the 2nd best jump amongst CA preps for ’10. Gibbs just seemed to be a little off at the CA State Meet, but still managed a 18’11 wind aided mark to place her 6th in the finals. Gibbs’s 19’9 ranks her 4th on the SD All-Time Section list.
Charity Lyons (11) Mt. Miguel 18’3.5, has the 2nd best wind legal mark of any of the returning long jumpers. Lyons is the defending Division II champion in this event and was 4th overall in last year’s CIF Finals, missing a trip to the State Meet by a mere two inches.
As if El Camino wasn’t loaded enough, Mishe Scott returns with the 2nd best mark coming into 2011 with her 18’6.25 wind-aided jump from CIF. Though Scott’s best wind legal mark is 17’01, her 18’6.25 is more indicative of her talent level. Scott was 4th in the Division I Section Meet last year.
Others to watch: Hannah Wilson (12) Fallbrook 17’6. 75w, Tiffany Tate (11) Poway 17’6.50w, Jessica Bulgarelli (12) Torrey Pines 17’3.25, Destinee Harrison (12) Morse 17’2.5, Vanora Guerard (11) La Jolla 17’2.25w, and Tamika Smith (11) El Camino 17’1.
Boys: San Diego track fans witnessed the resurgence of the storied Morse High jumps crews of old when the Tigers captured 3 of the first 4 spots on the CIF podium. Though Malik Ransom has graduated, two Tigers return to carry the torch in 2011.
Travis Johnson (12) took the overall CIF title last year with his 22’10.5 finals performance. Johnson’s 23’3.75 from CIF Prelims ranks him as one of the top 5 returning athletes in the entire state. With a natural progression, Johnson should be right in the mix for the 2011 Ca State Title.
Not far behind his teammate is David Turner (11) 23’1.75. Turner just missed qualifying for the State Meet in ’10 as a sophomore in what was a classic finals competition. Turner’s 23’1.75 legal mark from CIF Prelims ranks him as one of the best sophomores in San Diego prep history. The sky is literally the limit for this young leaper, with everything stated about Johnson above, pertaining to Turner as well.
Others to watch: Aaron Rattler (12) Escondido 22’2.0, Joey Marquis (12) La Costa Canyon 22’1.5, Brandon Ford (12) Mt Carmel 22’0.5, and Stefan McClure (12) Vista 21’9.5.
The Triple Jump
Girls: The El Camino girls continue their dominance here with Tamika Smith (11). Smith was second to Oceanside’s Iesha Iwobi last year in the Section Finals and owns a wind legal best of 37’10.5(38’11.0w). After placing 2nd in CIF, Smith went on to place 7th in the State Meet Finals. Smith maybe the most unheralded athlete in all of San Diego, as she is quite capable of being a State Qualifier in both hurdle events and both jump events.
Just behind Smith is Vanora Guerard (11) La Jolla. Guerard, like Smith is an outstanding all-around athlete with hurdling skills as well. Guerard had the 15th best jump in the State Prelims last year with her 36’06.75 effort.
La Jolla is onto something in this event as Karly Zlatic proved last year that she is not simply just a sprinter. Zlatic lept to a 36’6.75 legal effort at CIF finals a year ago to solidify her in the elite ranks of San Diego. Zlatic appears primed to take the next step to the state’s elite triple jumpers this spring.
Others to watch: Shayna Stein (12) Torrey Pines 35’11, Jasmine Stevens (12) Steele Canyon 35’6.
Boys: The Triple Jump pantry seemed a bit bare in San Diego until last year. In one of the most exciting jumping competitions in Section Finals history, no less than four young men eclipsed the 48’0 barrier. Two San Diego athletes, Travis Johnson (12) Morse, and Jordan Hines (12) Eastlake managed to make the State Finals and place 4th and 5th respectively.
Though he didn’t have a great day in State Prelims, Stefan McClure (12) Vista, beat both Johnson and Hines in the CIF meet with his lifetime PR of 48’9. McClure, a football standout that has committed to CAL, was coming off a knee injury last year, making the possibility of huge gains this track season a real probability. McClure will almost certainly flirt with the 50 foot distance, and perhaps crash right through it, now that he is completely healthy.
Interestingly enough, under the old State Qualifying procedures which didn’t include “auto-qualifying” marks, neither Johnson, nor Hines would have even qualified out of the San Diego CIF meet, as they both finished outside the top three in the local championships. As I said, 2010 was a banner year for the triple jump. In fact, Johnson and Hines placed in the State Finals exactly as they did in the San Diego CIF meet…4th and 5th, and they’re baaaaaaaaaack.
Johnson has the 2nd best returning mark of 48’6.5 (wind legal) of any returning athletes, just behind McClure’s 48’9.
Hines’s best wind legal best is only 46’06, but most of his best marks were plagued by windy conditions. His 5th place finish at the State Meet with his wind aided 48’2.75 is a huge jump in any conditions, with the state meet pressure seeming only to fuel his fire to compete.
Not to be lost in this discussion is Otay Ranch’s Marques Roberts, who despite not having the best state performance, was 3nd in CIF behind McClure and now graduated Justin Malishan (Mission Hills) with his wind legal 48’1 personal best mark. Roberts was ultra-steady for the majority of the last season, with the SD Section intensity perhaps draining him a bit at Fresno the following weekend.
Do not be surprised to see, for the first time in section history, four jumpers eclipsing 50 feet barrier. The Triple Jumpers are not often given much love in the track community. They may just be showering in it this year.
The High Jump
Girls: Mariah Slack (10) Vista, managed to win the CIF Section Title and finish first overall as just a freshman with her 5’5 finals performance. Though slack bested everyone in the finals last year she is only 3rd on the county returners list.
Both Danielle Bryan (11) El Camino, and Jessica Faremouth (11) Rancho Bernardo soared over 5’6 last year, but had subpar days at the San Diego Section meet finishing 6th and 10th respectively in the overall standings. Bryan completes an El Camino Sprints/Jumps squad that is just overflowing with elite level athletes. Farmouth for her part could play huge in Don Jones’s RB squad title hopes in the final San Diego Meet.
Only two other returners, Samantha Podraza (12) Scripps Ranch, and Shamonique Malone (11) Monte Vista, have managed to clear 5’4.
You heard it here first, look out for a couple of freshman from Coronado!!! Abigail Callahan (9) cleared 5’04.25 AS AN 8TH GRADER, in the USATF Junior Olympics last summer and is entering Coronado High with fellow freshman Sierra Smith, who has a personal record of 5’04. Coronado has an outstanding tradition of high jumpers, including JamieKlages (2005), who is the #3 All-Time performer in Section History. Look for these two young ladies to mix it up with the “big girls” this championship season.
Others to watch: Riley Hasche (12) Point Loma(5’02), Lois Armitage (12) Clairemont (5’-02), Talonda Tate (12) Lincoln (5’02), McKenna Doyle (12) Point Loma (5’02), Danielle Miller (12) Mt. Miguel(5’02), and Alexandra Young (10) Mater Dei Catholic (2nd in last year’s DII CIF @ 5’01).
Boys: Jordan Tyler, of Ramona, managed to jump over the 7’0 barrier last year and culminate his season with a State Meet title for the Bulldogs. Expect no drop off this year as Mt. Carmel Senior, Brandon Ford (pictured right, photo by Andrew McClanahan) has already cleared 7’0 in the first Invite of the season (Equal to #5 in Section History) on his home track! Ford has taken the early lead in the Golden State and looks to challenge the section record of 7’02 by Frank Schiefer of Madison, set in 1979, one of San Diego’s oldest section records. Ford’s 7ft clearing may just be the earliest 7’0 clearance in San Diego Section history.
Perhaps ranked “1A” is Serra Senior, Deante Kemper, who cleared 6’08 to finish second in the 2010 Section Meet in route to beating Ford on misses. Kemper in fact, soared over 6’10 in 2010 making him the leading returning High Jumper in 2011, that is, until Ford’s March 5th 7’00 clearance.
The San Diego male jump scene seems to be in good shape with two jumpers, Alex Campbell (12) Scripps Ranch, and Dillon McMahon (11) Poway, already clearing 6’06 to open their respective seasons on March 5th.
Returning with an equal PR of 6’06 is Valhalla 11th grader, Jevon Hasten. Interestingly enough, Hasten was nowhere to be seen in last year’s Section Championship. A 6’06 clearance for a 10th grader makes his status an intriguing mystery in this event.
Could, for the first time in section history, San Diego have multiple jumpers over 7’00 in the same year? The answer is “absolutely!”
2011 could go down as the most gifted combined jump crews in San Diego History!!! Buckle your seatbelts when these athletes assemble in Sundevil Arena in May!
The Vault
Girls: Kortney Ross of Westview ran off two successive CA State Titles in this event while representing Westview. Ross interrupted the absolute dominance by Rancho Bernardo in this event which held firm for over a decade. Almost on cue, Rancho Bernardo is primed to return the trend in their favor with 10th Grader, Mimi Lian the section’s leading returner with her State Finals clearance of 11’09, placing her 10th in the Nation’s toughest of all Sate Pole Vault competitions. Lian was one of the country’s top freshman vaulters a year ago, her sophomore year should be interesting to say the least.
Though a Bronco looks down from the top of the heap, the Rancho Bernardo depth is certainly not what it has been in years past, with the next six returning female vaulters representing a cornucopia of San Diego high school vault talent. Standing out from the chase pack are McKenzie Johnson (11) Clairemont 11’0 and the returning Division II Champion, Kaitlin McCallum (11) La Jolla Country Day also at 11’00.
McCallum at 11’00, is one of the finest sophs in San Diego History behind names like the Matton sisters of RB (Emily & Kate), Ross (WV), Donaoghue (RB), and O’Hara (RB), all of whom were eventually State Finalists while taking home copious amounts of state hardware.
Others to watch: Emilly Mendoza (11) Poway 10’9, Tiffany Smith (12) Otay Ranch 10’06, Brittany Cliff (12) Helix 10’06, Jennifer Pullman (12) Helix 10’03, Mechelle Negret (11) Steele Canyon 10’03, and Emily Palmer (11) Grossmont 10’03.
Boys: The top returning mark for this year belongs to Ryan Hsin (12) Mt. Carmel, who cleared 14’03 in a dual last year but had injuries late that left him out of the late season meets.
Only two weeks into the 2011 Track campaign, two San Diego vaulters have bettered Hsin’s 14’03 with 14’06 clearances. Seniors Zack Logan of Rancho Bernardo, and Brett Huff of Christian, both soared over 14’06 to open the invite season at the “Mt. Carmel Field Event and Distance Carnival,” to take the early county lead.
San Diego’s vault talent was strongly senior-laden last year with no less than 12 of the 2010 CIF finalists having now graduated, leaving the vault event pretty much wide open. Gains tend to be dramatic from 13’00 to the 14’06 heights, so this could be anyone’s title to take. Including Logan, Rancho Bernardo is again looking strong here with 5 returners who have eclipsed 13’00. Look for the Rancho Bernardo vault farm to have a bumper crop this year.
Other returning 14’00 vaulters include, Robert Ruiz (11) Valhalla, and Will Bartsch (12) Coronado. Bartsch was the 3rd place finisher in the DII CIF vault a spring ago.
Others to watch: Zack Merritt (12) Rancho Bernardo 13’09, German Palma (12) Bonita Vista 13’06, and Chris Canseco (12) University City 13’06.
The Shot Put
Girls: An event that has shown great improvement as far as depth for the San Diego girls, has been the shot put. No less than three returnees have thrown over 39ft, Including Mariah Counts (12) Poway 40’11.5, Breana Jemison (11) Carlsbad 39’08, and Nneka Anyanwu (12) Westview 39’05.25.
Counts, has started the 2011 campaign in dominating fashion, winning the “Mt. Carmel Field and Distance Carnival” by nearly two feet in route to winning the elite section of the girls shot put. Counts’s lifetime PR of 40’11.5 was established at the vaunted “Arcadia Invitational” where the pressure can overwhelm some. Obviously Counts was not in awe of the competition as she came through big in last year’s edition of the Arcadia meet.
Jemison finished 3rd in the CIF meet last spring in earning herself a trip to Fresno. Just a sophomore in ’10, the experience at the state meet will certainly give her some momentum heading into the ’11 track season.
Anyanwu, had a huge 39’05.25 at the CIF Prelims last year, but just couldn’t get off the ground in the finals, throwing only 37’08.25 to finish with the 5th best performance of the day. Disappointment aside, Anyanwu is well coached and an intense competitor who simply had a bad day on the wrong stage. Look for Anyanwu to throw well into the 40’s this spring.
El Camino is present at the top of yet another field event here. The Wildcat’s Jakayla Daniels (11) heaved the ball an impressive 38’01.5 at the “Dick Wilkins Frosh-Soph” last year, but was not a CIF finalist. Daniels remains somewhat of a mystery here, but could shake up the order at the very top of this list.
El Capitan’s Vanessa Sierra (10) 37’07 lit the division two competition on fire in 2010 winning the DII CIF Championship as just a frosh. Sierra improved immensely in short order and could become a 40ft thrower as just a sophomore. Sierra is coming off of a knee injury from basketball, which may slow her improvement to some degree.
Others to watch: Rachel Alesi (11) Christian 36’10.5, Alexa Evans (12) West Hills 36’07, Leeza Luta (12) Otay Ranch 36’03, and LaTreace Johnson (12) The Bishop’s School 36’02.
Boys: While the girls are having a resurgence in the Shot Put, the boys struggled in 2010 by San Diego’s lofty weight event standards. In a day with football coaches screaming “you need to get bigger for football!!” many of the “big kids” are electing to stay in the weight room rather than throwing and “getting bigger for football,” at the same time. Perhaps gone are the days when San Diego had 4-5 guys over the 60 ft range in the CIF meet. All that said, there are a talented group of throwers who will attempt put up respectable marks for this year’s Championship Meet.
Tyrone Sauls (12) Christian 55’11.75 had the 2nd best throw of the day last year in the CIF Finals meet, earning his way to the State Meet in the process. Sauls represents a small school, but his heart doesn’t match the size of his school. Being described as an “incredibly hard worker, and overall great kid,’ by one of his coaches, Sauls is primed to make great improvements here and possibly flirt with 60ft.
Jonathon Bajet (12) Otay Ranch 52’08 owns the 2nd best returning mark. Bajet was a CIF finalist in DI last year but struggled in the finals, managing only a 48’03, to finish fifth in his division. Look for the experience in CIF to help him take the next step to the consistent throws over 50ft.
Others to watch: Christopher Maligsa (12) University City 50’06.5, Preston Johnson (11) Ramona 50’06, Mario Yahoo (11) Steele Canyon 50’05.25, and Sammy Chaaban (12) El Camino, all of whom are returning CIF finalists from 2010.
The Discus
Girls: Lori Parker (Ramona) and Tracy Crawford (Southwest SD) had magical season in 1986 where their rivalry landed them both on the top of the San Diego Section discus list. Parker’s 162’0 and Crawford’s 156’02, twenty-five years later, still remain as the #1 and #2 performances in section history.
Not in a long while has either of those marks seemed in any sort of real jeopardy, that is, until now. Alexa Evans (12) West Hills 148’04, is the #5 All-Time performer in Section History. Evans set records almost everywhere she went last year with her one hiccup being a subpar performance at CIF finals where she only managed a 134-03, placing her 2nd in Division I. The disappointment didn’t last long, as Evans heaved the platter 148’04 in State prelims propelling her to the State Finals, where her 142-07 effort landed her on the State Podium in 5th place. Evans has shown steady improvement in the discus over all three of her seasons and is poised to make a serious run at Parker’s CIF Section Record.
Westview’s Nneka Anyanwu, mentioned earlier in the shot put preview, appears again here. Anyanwu’s 143’08 form 2010 ranks her #14 All-Time in the San Diego Section. Anyanwu finished in 3rd in last year’s CIF Division I finals. She followed here CIF performance with a solid 130’08 to finish 13th in the Sate Prelims in Fresno. Only 5ft behind Evan’s best, Anyanwu could challenge, and perhaps upset Evan’s on any given day.
Danielle Dease (10) Helix 129’04, from all indications, is the best ever freshman girls discus thrower in Section history. Dease struggled in the CIF environment, not making the finals, but looks to rebound with some huge performances in 2011.
Just behind Dease is Evan’s Wolfpack teammate, Laticia Lonon (12) 126’04. Lonon and Evan’s ascent to the elite levels of the San Diego discus seen were seemingly in lock step up until the 2010 campaign. Don’t be surprised to see Lonon throw well into the 140’s this year.
The discus field as it is representing currently, is setting up to be one of the best CIF competitions in decades! No less than 7 throwers eclipsed 120ft last spring with 4 more knocking on the door.
Others to watch: Mariah Counts, Poway 125’03, LaTreace Johnson, The Bishop’s School 14’04, and Dana Hosely (12) Helix 124’01. Johnson is the returning DIV II champion.
Boys: Thomas Hart of St. Augustine, shocked many last year with 190ft+ throws that landed nearly forty feet further than his closest San Diego competitors last year and leaving him the #6 All-Time Section performer.
Left to fill Hart’s more than lofty shoes, are a serious of talented seniors, led by Jonathon Bejet (12) Otay Ranch. Bejet reached out to a 165’00 distance last year, but failed to make the CIF Finals meet. One has to think that Bejet was dealing with some sort of injury in the late season, as his shot put effort in CIF was nearly 4ft off his best as well. Bejet of all the returning discus throwers appears to have the biggest upside and the best chance of throwing 180ft and beyond.
Garrett Barton (12) Rancho Bernardo 157’11, is also a bit of an enigma. His listed best was accomplished at dual meet, and he is also absent from the CIF Finals list.
Joseph Villanueva (12) Morse 151’04, has seemingly disappeared as well.
Leading the county list as of March 9, is Aaron Russell (12) Poway, with his 154’03 from the Mt. Carmel meet. Russell’s heave already eclipsed his 2010 best of 149’05. If early season results are any indication, Russell is in for a big season of improvement.
Tyron Sauls of Christian is the only thrower possessing one of last year’s top 5 marks that made the Section Finals. Sauls’s PR of 150’00 lands him 4th on the returnee list, but 1st to lend no mystery as to his whereabouts. Sauls is a big kid with very good speed, quick feet, and freakish strength. An improvement to the 170’s seems likely here.
Others to watch: Andrew Gaston (12) Mt. Carmel 149’10, Brendan Song (10) West Hills 146’08 (one of the best freshman tosses in section history), Sean Boozel (12) Steele Canyon 146’08.