With additional reporting by George Laase.
While the rest of the Culver City High School student body is on spring break, t athletic teams continue to compete. Boys and girls track and field, boys baseball, girls softball and girls lacrosse playing during the next two weeks.
Both track and field teams will compete at Mira Costa High School Saturday morning at 9 in the Mira Costa Mustang Relays.
“The track and field teams are improving every week,” said Centaur Coach Jahmal Wright. “Some of our runners are doing an excellent job.”
Two of them are Cahlil Hooper, who runs the boys 100, 200 and both sprint relays and Joylyn Dailey, who competes in the girls 100, 200 and both sprint relays. They have recorded some of the fastest times in the state in the 200 meters.
Last Saturday at the California Relays at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Hooper ran 22.03 and Dailey ran 24.84, placing them near the top of the list in California. Both runners are also part of their very fast 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams.
Hooper and Dailey will lead a strong contingent of Culver City runners and jumpers at the Mustang Relays.
Other Centaurs to watch on the boys team is Jarrett Anderson in the 100 and relays, Frederick Pondexter in the long jump and triple jump and freshman Samuel Robert in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles.
“Samuel has a lot of heart,” Wright said. “He will do everything he can to help his team.”
Nia Garcia, who won four events at the Culver City Relays two weeks ago, will be another girl to watch at the Mustang Relays. Garcia will compete in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump.
The 4-6 Centaurs baseball team will host 6-3 West Torrance on Friday at 3. West Torrance is coached by Juan Cueva, older brother of three former Culver City football and baseball stars, Vince, Alex and Chris.
On Saturday the Centaurs travel to Oxnard for an 11 o’clock game. They continue on the road next week, back-to-back days in Downey. On Monday they are at Warren High for a 3 o’clock game. Tuesday they are at Downey High at the samne hour.
The Lady Centaurs softball team will travel to Beverly Hills on Saturday.
On Wednesday, April 1, the girls lacrosse team is at Beverly Hills for a 4:30 game.
When spring break is over, the boys lacrosse team will host Palos Verdes Peninsula on Wednesday, April 8.
Next day, the boys volleyball team will play at Lawndale mat 3, their second Ocean League game.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com