2007 Patriot Games Recap
Great Oak crushes the Girls competition , Upland dominates the Boys Divisions

The high desert teams seemed to be right at home as the winds blew all day at the 2007 edition of the Patriot Games. In spite of the wind many teams came away with nice marks for their Invitational debuts. The match up of the day was Great Oak and Upland who battled in every division all day long. Great Oak prospered in the Girls division and Upland made amends in the boys division. The only question of the day was were they stronger than last year ? Two well coached teams with depth and talent who will be heard from all season long. In the Varsity girls division, Chino Hills opened with a nice win in the shuttle hurdles (1.10.98) and Barstow's 400m Relay (51.76) ran away from Paramount and Great Oak for the win. In the field events, Aliimatafitaff from Paramount had nice put at 38'7” and Schuarlz from Upland cleared 10'3” in the pole vault despite the wind. In the Frosh/Soph girls division, Great Oak practically rewrote the record book and showed that there is depth for the future. In the 4 x 1600m Great Oak ran away from the field posting an excellent (24.03.11). Paramount however countered in the distance Medley with an impressive win over Los Osos, Great Oak and Chino Hills. Great Oak in the 400m relay, 4 x 800m and 4 x 200m outdistanced the Strong Chino Hills team setting records in all three races. Great Oak was also dominate in the Discus, Triple Jump, Shot Put, High Jump and Long jump. On the boys side, Upland's coach Wilson had his troops well prepared for the competiton. San Jacinto with their outstanding hurdle program, destroyed the competition in the opening shuttle hurdles winning by more than 4 seconds (1.04.31). Barstow (11.21.47) showed off their distance aces as they won the distance medley over a tough Upland team (11.29.32). In the field event there were many outstanding performances. Barstow's Cruz, in the throws had a nice 144'6” in the discus and great series in the shot where he went 53' -54' - 56'2”. Dannewitz from San Jacinto also had a nice throw of 143'7.5” as the tigers show case yet another talented thrower. The Hudson brothers from Paramount had some nice triples going 42' _” and 42'2” and 20'9.5” long Jump. Aaron Mayes from Rubidoux looked much improved as he opened the season with a 20'10” jump. San Jacinto triple jumpers Bonds (39'4.5”), Dawkins (40'4”) and Castellano (39'4”) looked impressive jumping into a strong wind. Poly's George also was able to go 42'2” despite the conditions. Upland's ace high jumper, Hobson who has gone 6'8” did not press it as he won easily at 6'4”. He also threw in a nice 22'6.5” in the long jump. Next year the meet will move to the new Ed Hawkins 7 million dollar renovated stadium which will feature a new all weather track, artificial turf, grandstands, stadium lighting and a finish timing system connected to the scoreboard.