Youth leads the way for Mission Bay track teams

Annual Jim Cerveny Invitational set for April 16

Led largely by the performances of its sophomores, the Mission Bay track and field teams have started the season in impressive fashion.

The boys’ team is ranked No. 1 and the girls’ team No. 2 in CIF Division III with Brandon Cheeks leading all of San Diego in the triple jump. He is ranked No. 4 in the country among sophomores with a jump of 45 feet 11 inches long, which is the new school record that was previously set by Xavier Brandon in 2017.

“Our season is going great this year,” Cheeks said. “So far a lot of school records have been matched or improved. The best part about being on this team is the social aspect, and how being around other great athletes is a humbling experience.”

Cheeks is also the only a sophomore ranked No. 1 in the long jump at 22 feet 4.75 inches, the high jump at 6 feet 5 inches, which is only .75 away from the school record, the 110m hurdles at 15.60 and, is also ranked third in the state in the triple jump.

For the Mission Bay girls, Marissa Toliver has had an impact as well recently achieving her best time of 12.63 in the sprints at the 2022 Bronco Invitational held on March 12.

“Her 26.15 and 59.97 put her at the top of sophomores in San Diego and favorite to medal at CIF,” said head track coach Danny Perez.

Also, Khouri Evans is leading DIII in the shot put with a throw of 29 feet 2 inches. “Much different from her sister, who followed her dad and our current sprint coach Andre Evans in the sprints, Khouri has found her own way in the throws,” Perez added.

Mission Bay has two dual meets remaining: first on April 14 at Canyon Hills and Saints/OLP, along with one on April 21 at La Jolla High School. In between those the school will host the fourth annual Jim Cerveny Invitational on Saturday, April 16 in a meet dedicated to the legendary track star who won the state title in 1957 in the 880.

Cerveny will be on hand as well as former state champion, NCAA champion, and Olympic athlete Charles Jock who took down Cerveny’s record during a memorable 2008 state meet run where he placed second at nationals.

Others being honored at the event are 1999 CIF champion Priscilla Parker, and 2003 shot put champion, Jared Bray, along with the 1972 boys Morse CIF team. The Mission Bay teams close off the season with the DIII prelims and finals on May 14 and 21, respectively.