Los Gatos junior high jumper confident heading to state
When Los Gatos High School's Hannah Slover cleared 5-foot-5 in the girls high jump at the Central Coast Section Finals on May 21, she guaranteed herself a spot in the California Interscholastic Federation State Track and Field Championships.
But a clearance of 5-7 at Gilroy High School was also important for the junior, as it prepares her for stiff competition this weekend at the state championships.
The top three placers at the CCS Finals on Saturday qualified for this week's state championships at Buchanan High School in Clovis. The trials are held today, with field events starting at 3 p.m. and running events at 5. On Saturday, field event finals start at 4:30 p.m. and running events begin at 6 p.m.
Athletes at the CCS Finals could also qualify for the state championships by achieving atlarge standards. The girls high jump at-large standard was 5-5, which Slover cleared on her first attempt.
“I had some trouble at 5-7, but made my third,” said Slover, who finished third overall. Aptos' Elizabeth Churchill won with a mark of 5-9, which is tied for second in the state according to Dyestat.com. Melanie Castelli of Notre Dame-belmont placed second with a clearance of 5-7 and less misses than Slover. “We made some good attempts at 5-9, all three of us. I'm really proud of my fellow jumpers. That's what I like about track, you can celebrate
each other's successes.”
Slover, whose personal record is 5-8, entered the competition at the 5-1 height and cleared it on her first attempt. She also cleared her first attempts at 5-3 and 5-5 before a third-attempt clearance at 5-7.
“This is basically my first time attempting 5-9. It is really doable. I'm really excited,” Slover said. When she set her personal record at the Arcadia Invitational in early April, the bar was raised to 5-10, not 5-9.
This is the first high school track and field season for Slover, who concentrated on volleyball her freshman and sophomore years. She has committed to UC Santa Barbara to play volleyball.
Nicole Steiner, who also plays volleyball and basketball for the Wildcats, advanced to the state championships with a secondplace finish in the girls shot put. Her best mark on May 21 was 3810, just two inches behind winner Jocelyn Alexander of San Benito. She set her personal best at the
CCS Semifinals on May 14 (39-5).
Another Wildcat who placed high on May 21 was Sophie Tau. Although she didn't qualify for the state championships, the junior was fifth in the 1,600 with a time of 5:03.26.
In the boys competition, Los Gatos' Wil Brennan placed second in the 400 meters to earn a spot in the state championships. His personal-record time of 49.48 seconds was just .13 behind winner Jeremiah Earby of Menloatherton.
The Los Gatos boys 1,600 relay team produced a victory in the last track event with a time of 3:20.74, edging second-place Los Altos (3:20.84). The team of Brady Kamali, Levi Romero, Luke Pittock and Brennan is headed to the state championships.
Baseball
Los Gatos High School earned the No. 1 seed in the CCS Division III playoffs and shut out No. 8 Aragon 8-0 in the first round on May 21. Host Los Gatos, which improved to 14-16 overall, scored at least one run in five of their six at-bats and moved on to Wednesday's semifinals, which occurred after this article went to press. The Division III final is today at Excite Ballpark.
Softball
Los Gatos High School's season ended with an 8-0 loss to host Aragon in the first round of the CCS Open Division on May 21. Aragon, the No. 4 seed, took control with a six-run second inning. Los Gatos, the No. 5 seed, finished the season with an impressive 22-4 record.
Girls lacrosse
Los Gatos High School reached the semifinals of the CCS playoffs before falling to second-seeded Sacred Heart Prep 14-9 on May
18. Los Gatos, the No. 3 seed, finished the season with an impressive 17-1 record.
The Wildcats had a bye in the first round before edging No. 6 Scotts Valley 13-12 in two overtimes in the quarterfinals on May
14.