The local Channel League Track & Field teams competed in the league championship at Rio Mesa on Thursday.
Each school turned in strong performances and picked up individual winners.
Santa Barbara High
Blaise Snow had a big day for the Dons, winning the league title in the 800 meters (1:55.38), taking third place in the 1,600 meters (4:18.28) and running a leg of the second-place 4×400 meter relay team (3:26.25).
Joining Snow on that relay team were Winston Bartley, Magne Henriques and Andreas Dybdahl. Meanwhile, Dybdahl was the runner-up in the 800 meters (1:56.86) and the 1,600 meters (4:18.00).
“It’s so gratifying for Blaise to finally get a league championship, and him and Andreas getting into CIF with two rookies on the relay was a sweet way to finish the night,” Santa Barbara coach Olivia Perdices said.
In the throws, Malachi Johnston placed third with personal bests in the discus (140-0) and the shot put (46-6.5). For the girls, Krystal Valdez ended the day in second in the discus with a mark of 103-0.
“It’s great to see [Johnston] throwing PRs going into the postseason,” Perdices said. “Krystal has been throwing really consistently lately. I’m glad she gets to keep throwing another week.”
Rounding out the standout boys for the Dons was Nico Tassos, who ran a personal-best time of 9:31.38 for second place in the 3,200-meter race.
“That was clutch for him, those were some really qualified guys he was racing against,” Perdices said.
Freshman Elina Stump won the Channel League title in the triple jump with a mark of 37-7.5 Meanwhile, teammate Julianna Aviani placed third.
“I love that Elina gets to keep jumping,” Perdices said. “It’s fun to watch her keep learning and competing every time out. Julianna has had some illness and injury issues the last few weeks. It’s awesome she put it together today to get through to next week.”
In the high jump, Jasmyn Amirfazlian Dennis qualified for postseason action with a personal best of 4-11 in the high jump.
“She had a great series today, I’m so happy for her,” Perdices said of Dennis.
San Marcos
Avery Leck put together a great all-around showing on Thursday, winning the league title in the 100 hurdles, placing second in both the high jump and long jump and following that up by running a leg on the second-place 4×400 relay team.
Leck ran the relay race along with Ava Carter, Lucia Wolf and Kiala Haas. Individually, Haas earned a second-place finish in the 800 meter.
Carter had a strong day of her own, running personal-best times for a pair of second-place finishes. The 4×100-meter San Marcos relay team of Nicolly Oh, Janelle Capuno, Wolf and Carter came in third place.
Ava Allen took home third place in the shot put against an experienced field.
For the boys, Ashton Johnson qualified for the 800-meter race with a personal-best time of 1:57.57.
“I am so proud of Ashton having to run with some of the best distance runners in California,” San Marcos coach Marilyn Hantgin said.
Ethan Ball crossed the finish line first in the 110-meter hurdles with a personal-best mark of 15.05 seconds.
“This was a big breakthrough for Ethan,” Hantgin said. “He looked very strong and I’m hoping next week he can break 15.”
In the jumps, TJ Deakyne qualified for playoffs in both the high jump and the triple jump (41-06).
Brody Green had a pair of solid showings, jumping a PR of 6-2 in the high jump and finishing the 100-meter race in 11.49 seconds.
“It seemed like we really came to compete today,” Hantgin said. “I am so proud of all of our athletes and am looking forward to having a good CIF showing next week.”
Dos Pueblos
The Chargers will send a trio of athletes into the playoffs after their performances on Thursday.
Andrew Gentry placed second in the 400-meter race after a very strong start to the race.
“This is a terrific way to cap [Gentry’s] senior season,” Dos Pueblos coach David Jackson said. “He’s going to Utah State in the fall, and we’re very proud of his career with us at DP.”
In the long jump, Clehann Howard registered a new personal record with a mark of 12-5 in her final jump.
“Her jump coaches and I attribute this to her dedication throughout the summer and fall,” Jackson said. “Her coaches have been keeping her dialed in at practice and she’s a model of consistent leadership among her teammates.”
Rounding out the qualifiers was Harper Wolfe Lyons, who excelled in the 300-meter hurdles despite competing in the event just three times before Thursday.
“[Wolfe Lyons] said it all clicked at yesterday’s practice, and today we put it all together to make herself a CIF qualifier,” Jackson said. “This is just the beginning for Harper.”