IE Varsity’s athletes to watch in 2024 season

Santiago's Rylee Blade was the state's best in girls 3,200 last season

The 2024 track and field season officially kicked off Saturday, and several Inland athletes posted strong marks over the weekend.

Here are 12 boys and 12 girls track and field athletes representing Inland schools to keep an eye on throughout the season.

Boys

WESTIN BROWN, JR,, GREAT OAK >> Masters Meet champion at 1,600 meters also placed fifth at the CIF State Championships.

KEITH COTLAGE, JR., CAJON >> Masters Meet qualifier last season is one of the area’s best in the long jump and the triple jump.

JUAN JUAREZ, JR., LIBERTY >> Middle-distance specialist who qualified for last season’s Masters Meet in the 800 meters.

BENJAMIN LINGENFELTER, JR. YUCAIPA >> One of the area’s top throwers was fourth in the discus at the Division 1 section finals.

DONNIE PARISH, SR., CHINO HILLS >> CIF State Championship qualifier in the 100 meters who also excels in the long jump.

CAYDEN ROBERSON, SR., ROOSEVELT >> Masters Meet champion in the 300-meter hurdles also placed third at the state finals.

ANDREW ROBINSON, SR., GREAT OAK >> Masters Meet champion in the triple jump also finished sixth at the CIF State meet.

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ, SR., GREAT OAK >> Division 1 section champion in the 1,600 meters also placed 10th at the state finals.

CAMERON SERMONS, JR., RANCHO CUCAMONGA >> Finished sixth in the 100 meters at the Division 1 section finals last year.

EYAN TURK, JR., WOODCREST CHRISTIAN >> Cross country state champ broke the Ayala Invitational record in the 3,200 meters.

RAHIM WRIGHT II, SR., RANCHO CUCAMONGA >> Washington-bound football star won Division 1 section title in the long jump.

MAXIMO ZAVALETA, SO., KING >> Masters Meet qualified at 3,200 meters had a breakout cross country season in the fall.

Girls

ALYSSA ALUMBRES, SR., VISTA MURRIETA >> Placed fifth in the triple jump and eighth in the long jump at the CIF State finals.

TAYLOR ANYANSI, JR., MURRIETA VALLEY >> Division 1 section champion in the 100 meters who qualified for the state finals.

MAKENA BAILEY, SR., CHINO HILLS >> All-around athlete who qualified for the CIF State Championships in the high jump.

KAYLEE BEST, JR., NORCO >> Division 2 section champion in the triple jump also placed second in the Division 2 long jump.

RYLEE BLADE, JR., SANTIAGO >> Defending state champ in the 3,200 meters also won a Division 1 section title in the 1,600.

SAMARRA BLAKE, SR., VISTA MURRIETA >> Southwestern League champ in the 100 hurdles also was third in the 300 hurdles.

L’MIO EDWARDS, SR., CLAREMONT >> Division 1 section champion at 800 meters who placed ninth at the CIF State finals.

ASPEN FEARS, SR., VISTA MURRIETA >> Area’s top pole vaulter claimed Division 1 section and Masters Meet championships.

SOFIA LIEBERMAN, SR., MURRIETA VALLEY >> Finished 2023 strong, including an eighth-place finish at state in the 1,600 meters.

KAYLA MCBRIDE, SR., AYALA >> Versatile runner who finished fourth at 200 meters at last year’s CIF State Championships.

ANDREESE ORTIZ, SR., HERITAGE >> Program recordholder in both of the throws qualified for the Masters Meet in the discus.

EMOREE SMITH, SR., VISTA MURRIETA >> State qualifier in the high jump tied for second place at the section Masters Meet.

KEITH BIRMINGHAM — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Rylee Blade of Santiago won the 3,200-meter title at the CIF State Championships last spring.

WATCHARA PHOMICINDA — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Great Oak’s Gabriel Rodriguez was 10th in the state last season in the 1,600meters.