Justin Cordova Southwest High Track & Field
Last week, the boys’ track and field team from Southwest High captured its third consecutive Imperial Valley League title with a win over rival Central Union High to end the regular season.
Helping the Eagles in the win was junior sprinter and long jumper Justin Cordova.
The 17-year-old won the 100-meter sprint in 11.43, anchored the 100-meter relay with Jose Ivan Mendez, Jason Villafama and Trey McAllister that won in 44.93 and also topped the long jump with a leap of 19-feet, 5 inches.
“It was a cool experience,” Cordova said. “I think this is the first time our school has won the (IVL) title three years in a row, so that’s a big accomplishment for us. In the past the guys have struggled a little bit, so this is really big.”
Cordova has worked to overcome a string of injuries in order to be the Eagles’ top sprinter this season and well as one of the top competitors in the IVL in the 100 and 200-meter events.
“Broken heel, torn tendon in my right knee and labrum in one of my shoulders,” recounted Cordova of the multiple injuries he sustained playing football. “I rested for about two months and did a lot of cardio but not a lot of lifting because of my shoulder.”
Cordova’s rehab and preparation for this track and field season paid off as earlier this week he won the long jump at the IVL prelims and will be running in three events in the IVL finals later today in Brawley.
“Hopefully I’m able to come out with some wins,” he said. “I know a lot of the other guys, some of them I grew up with, so it’s always fun to race against them.”