The Southwestern League Championship Finals did not disappoint with many great marks going into CIF-SS Prelims next weekend.
Great Oak came out on top on the boys side scoring a total of 151.66 points. On the girls side, meet host Vista Murrieta secured the team title with a total of 180 points.
A key part to the Wolf Pack’s success was their dominant performances in the distance races. In the boys varsity 1600, Great Oak swept the top 5 finishes. That event alone scored them 30 points. Marco Franco helped out in a big way winning the 1600 and the 3200. Great Oak also had a great showing in the 800 with two guys going sub 1:53. Overall Great Oak was able to gain 71 key points from the distance events contributing to their victory.
The Vista Murrieta girls were able to continue their success from the Inland Empire Championships and take home another team victory. Both of the Bronco's relay teams played roles in their success. Their 4x100 relay took first and the 4x400 team was runner up. Kameron Pressley was able to contribute 20 points with victories in both the 100 & 300 Hurdles. Erika Kirk contributed 18 points winning the 3200 and placing second in the 1600.
One of the stars of the night, Keelan Wright, produced and exceptional 20 points for Chaparral. Wright had dominant performances in both the 100 and the 200. She ran only eight hundredths off her season's best of 11.51 in the 100 meter dash. The Puma's senior would come back later that evening and drop a 23.79 in the 200.
One of the fine races of the evening--the girls 400 meter dash--was quite an event to watch. Bella Cablayan of Murrieta Mesa cruised a 56.10 to win by three seconds over Chloe Walter of Great Oak. Cablayan would also secure third in the 200 and add one more event for her at next weekend’s CIF-SS Prelims.
Temecula Valley's Jack Stadlman really showed out, winning both the boys 400 and 200. Stadlman cruised to victory with an easy 48.26 in the 400. In the 200 he came only four hundredths off his season's best of 21.10.
The real performance came though at the end of the meet in the boys 4x400. The Bears were in third place and down by about 20 meters. Stadlman would split a 46.1 to come back into first and win in a time of 3:20.76.
Overall, it was a great meet with many fine marks and electrifying performances.
The road to State continues next weekend at the CIF-SS Division 1 Prelims at Trabuco Hills HS.
– Colin Benoy
