A frenzied finish
Prep track and field: GV girls claim outright title; Vikes boys earn share
Golden Valley’s Azaria Hill once said she wanted the Golden Valley girls track and field team to make a mark — to leave some kind of a dynasty behind.
And after the Grizzlies defeated Valencia 74.5-61.5 Thursday afternoon, Hill can be assured not only has her team’s mark been left, winning the Foothill League title outright (their third title in the last four years), but so has her’s.
“I told the girls throughout the league that they deserve this moment out of everyone,”
said Golden Valley cohead coach Sara Soltani, whose girls team goes to 5-0 on the season. “They had so many struggles going up and down the last four years and they needed to end out on a high note for their seniors with Bianca (Tinoco) and Azaria. That was the driving force. They work extremely hard, and they deserve the moment. They deserve to be undefeated.”
Also deserving of a league crown were the Valencia boys. The Vikes got a little help from Saugus, which beat Canyon Thursday, but the Vikings’ 8551 win over Golden Valley secured Valencia (4-1) a share of the title.
There was a lot of excitement in the air for the final dual meet of the season.
Everyone — sprinters, distance runners, field event athletes, even coaches — were running down the sidelines in the final race of the day, where Valencia’s 4x400 team edged Golden Valley.
“It was a different type of day here,” said Valencia’s Sam Pica, who returned to the track and scored a total of 20 points after taking a week off due to health reasons. “Track meets don’t usually get too much hype and the energy was there and it was fun.”
Pica doubled in the 200 (23.04) and 400 (49.54), and aided the 4x4 and 4x1 relay teams to victories.
The Vikings swept the 200, with Blake Beeler coming in second (23.12), followed by Chris Kojin in third (23.56).
Kojin also took second in the 100, where Valencia’s Jahmar Berkley took first (11.43).
“Whenever you can win
a league title, it’s a huge accomplishment,” said Valencia co-head coach Kevin Berns. “It doesn’t matter what level, what sport, it’s a huge accomplishment. It was a complete team effort: the relay teams, hurdles, distance. For the first time in our school history, we were going into the final meet and having a chance to win league on both sides.”
Valencia has only won a league title twice on the boys side, and the last time the Vikes were able to do it was in 2001.
Although the period between league titles hasn’t been quite as long for the Grizzly girls, they were just as anxious to secure the win.
Hill doubled in the 100meter dash and the 200 for Golden Valley, with times of 12.18 and 25.43 seconds, respectively. She has not lost a sprint race this league season.
“We came into each league meet focused on team and not just about ourselves,” Hill said. “I feel like we really fed off each other doing well and contributing. And because it’s my last year, it makes it even sweeter leaving with a great accomplishment. I’m really proud of my girls, my whole team.”
Golden Valley’s Mykasis Simpkins also doubled in the 1600 and 3200, and took second in the 800 behind Tinoco.
For the Valencia girls, Michaela Banyi won the 100 hurdles and took second in the 300 hurdles just behind her teammate Kendall Mesa.
Banyi cleared 5 feet as Valencia swept the high jump, and Cheyenne Chesier doubled in the long and triple jump.
Catelyn and Catherine Edwards took second and third in the 100 for the Vikes (3-2).
The Golden Valley (1- 4) boys swept the 800 with Jonathon Bay leading the way. Nathan Ray also picked up a win in the 110 hurdles, and Gabe Coronado doubled in the shot and discus throws for the Grizzlies.
Hart boys 71, West
Ranch 64
DJ Aponik doubled for the Indians (2-3) in the 110 and 300 hurdles with marks of 15.1 and 39.9.
Wvest Ranch’s Preston Pope won the 1600 in 4:31, and Tucker Welker won the 3200 in 10:14. The Wildcats end the regular season 0-5.
West Ranch girls 87,
Hart 48
Hailey Hunt doubled for West Ranch (4-1) in the 100 and 200 with times of 12.36 and 26.3, respectively.
Hart’s Lupe Alanis won a come-from-behind race in the 1600. The Indians end the regular season 0-5.