Area scholastic track and field teams have kicked it into high gear as they go after league gold.
At La Jolla Country Day School, the boys team came into action over the last week at 6-0, while the girls sport a 5-1 mark.
Key performers recently include Lauren Pischel (1600 meters, 800m and 3200m), Alex Poyhonen (1600m, 800m and 3200m), Andy Altman (shotput, discus) and Alex Maire (100m, 200m, long jump and triple jump).
“Our student-athletes are still improving every week,” LJCD head coach Kevin Reaume noted. “I’ll be excited to see our marks in the coming weeks.”
At La Jolla High School, the girls team scored an 81-55 victory over Cathedral last week.
“Under windy conditions the times were not important, just the places were, and the girls did a superb job,” La Jolla High head girls coach Roger Karnopp noted. “Even those that did not place in the top three gave 100 percent for effort.”
Dana Hoolko won the shotput and was second in the 100 and 200. Allyn Meyer captured the triple jump and was second in the long jump and shotput. Meantime, Nihal Kayali won the 1600 and was second in the triple jump with a personal record of 31’8″.
The 4×400 relay team of Kayali, Courtney Avvampato, Christie Richmond and Tess Plant-Thomas broke the sophomore school record in a time of 4:10.1. The old record set in 1990 was 4:21.5. Melia Plotkin won the pole vault in a personal record of 10’6″.
At The Bishop’s School, head coach Mary Fran Cullen and the Knights are enjoying another strong campaign.
The girls sported an undefeated mark as of last week, while the boys had only lost once.
Key members of late have included Laura Wyatt in the 1600m (5:31), 800m (2:30), 400m (1:03.64); Marjorie Lacombe 100m (12.91) and 200m (27.50); Kelsey Gold, shotput (26-10); Kathleen Roehrkasse, triple jump (34-10); the girls 4 x 100m relay (53.49); and the girls 4 x 400m relay (4:27.04).
On the boys side, top performances have come via Chris See 100m (11.84); Victor Fimbres 100m (11.94) and long jump (19-0.5); Saron Hood 400m (53.44); Henry Su, 3200m (10:55.9); Sean Ramey 110mHH (18.04) and 300mH (45.34); Ben Lacombe triple jump (39-2.5); boys 4 x 100m relay (45.03); and boys 4 x 400m relay (3:41.10).
“We are really happy with the efforts of our athletes,” Cullen noted. “We are trying to keep everyone strong and healthy. The Coastal Conference championships will be tough, but our athletes are excited about the challenge.”
” Editor’s note: Information on the La Jolla High boys team was not provided prior to press time.