The next three weeks will determine if Culver City High School’s boys and girls track and field teams will have a good season are an outstanding one.
The CIF Southern Section is one of the most competitive in the nation.
On Saturday, the Centaurs will travel to Moorpark High School for the CIF prelims.
The top place finishers will advance to the CIF finals the following weekend.
Top qualifiers from that meet will compete in the Masters Meet on May 27-28. On the weekend of June 3-4, the best in California will be in the state meet.
Last Thursday the Centaurs proved that they may be ready. At the Ocean League finals in Culver City, the Centaurs’ girls won their division, scoring 170 points.
The boys frosh/soph won their division with 232 points. Second-place Santa Monica was far back at 90. The boys varsity placed third and the girls frosh/soph team ran second.
“It feels good to win two divisions,” said Coach Jahmal Wright. “But I am a little disappointed we did not win all four.”
In the CIF prelims on Saturday, the Centaur girls will be relying on two seniors. Nia Garcia and Veronica Mendez have turned in top performances all year. Last Thursday they continued to dominate. Garcia won the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and she also won the long jump and the triple jump. Mendez ran on the winning 400 meter relay team, was second in the 100 and 200 meters, and third for the 1600 meter relay team.
Cahlil Hooper led the boys varsity. He captured the 100 meters in 10.99, took second in the 200, and ran on the winning 400 meter relay team in a time of 43.11.
Although many impressive marks recorded, sophomore Nick Bradley was the athlete of the meet for the frosh/soph teams.
Bradley won the 100 and 200 meters, and he was on the winning 400 and 1600 meter relay teams.
“I have only been running track for two years,” said Bradley, a running back in football. “I like the short distances. That helps when I play football.”
Whatever happens in CIF, Culver City teams are moving in the right direction, according to girls coach Rayfield Beaton. “I feel good about the teams,” he said. Beaton last Thursday. “I am thankful for the good things that are happening. We have come a long way, and we have a way to go.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com