SJS’ Best Vying For State Meet Berths - Section Finals Preview

By: Bill Carr

Athletes from around the Sac Joaquin Section (SJS), converge this week, on historic Hughes Stadium, in their annual quest for a top three finish or at-large berths in the 2004 CIF California State Championships (also at Hughes). Things get underway with Prelims scheduled for Thursday, May 27 th and finals, May 28 th.

This year, performances across the board, promise to make this one of the Section’s best competitions in recent memory. Tantalizing, key individual match ups showcase this year’s event.

Girls Preview

100 – Meters

West’ Jennifer Nash looks to make it two in a row and continue her dominance of the SJS. Nash paces this year’s field with a season best and #4 State ranking 11.58. The battle for the number two and three spots is up for grabs, with sophomore Megan Mathis (Florin-Sacramento) and Junior Miranda Garrido (West) the best of the rest at 12.26 and 12. 29.

200 - Meters

The much-anticipated showdown between Nash and Sheldon-Sacramento’s venerable senior Deonna Lawrence (the Section record holder at 53.47), could be the meets feature race. Nash’ season-best 23.92 is just ahead of the 24.21 for Lawrence. The ‘MW’ speedster hopes to turn the tables from last year when she trailed Lawrence across the finish line in the Section final while Lawrence races for the trifecta.

400 – Meters

This one is the meet’s no-brainer. Lawrence comes in as the #2 one-lapper in the country and the State’s #1 at 53.55 and hopes to culminate her illustrious senior season by adding a state title to her third straight Section crown. Look for a great race for two and three between Fairfield’s Keisha Baker (56.11) and West’ Dominique Carter (56.49).

800 – Meters

Woodcreek-Roseville senior, Lauren Mulkey looks like the favorite here at 2:14.14 with Nicole Chaltry of West close behind at 2:16.72, but don’t overlook young Alexandra Kosinski (Oakridge-El Dorado Hills). The freshman has a season-best 2:17.61 and could be a surprise here.

1600 – Meters

Mulkey is the State Meet veteran (#3) and defending champ here and should again earn a return trip with her Section-leading 4:53.89. With the absence of the outstanding Natasha LaBeaud (Folsom), look again for Kosinski to make her mark against a stellar field.

3200 – Meters

LaBeaud comes into the Section final as the State leader having posted an outstanding 10:24.57. Last year’s state runner up, Rachel Bryan (Laguna Creek-Elk Grove), the 2002 and 2003 Section champ, looks to rebound from an un-Bryan-like season, coming in with a season ‘PR’ of 10.38.58. Escalon sophomore, Amanda Moreno continues to improve and should capture a State Meet berth, coming in at 10:42.53

100 Hurdles

Junior Shevell Quinley (West) will renew her emerging rivalry with Stagg-Stockton sophomore Candise Maxwell. In a wire-to-wire match up at the Sub-I Final, Quinley edged Maxwell, 14.30 (State #6) to 14.33 (State #8). If either should falter, seniors Ashleigh McGrew (14.55w) of Sheldon and Tifani Grimes (14.62) St. Francis-Sacramento could surprise.

300 Low Hurdles

Quinley (State #6) has been the pace-setter throughout the season and comes in as the prohibitive favorite to claim her second straight title at 43.14. If all goes according to form, Turlock’s Antonia Bethel (44.50) and St. Francis’ all-around, Ingrid Kantola (44.80) should garner silver and bronze.

400 – Meter Relay

West is all alone here at 46.26, good for a #4 State ranking, and should lead the field, followed by Sheldon (47.53, State #9) and much-improved Vallejo (48.08).

1600 Meter Relay

The girls 1600 meter relay – for the first time ever – could witness three teams under the 3:50 barrier with Merrill West-Tracy (3:48.73, State #4) looking to hold off fast charging Fairfield (3:49.52, State #6) and Sheldon-Sacramento (3:50.12, State #9). West could make it four straight with a win here.

High Jump

Freshman, Susan Jackson (Napa) enters as co-favorite for a Section title and state meet slot with St. Francis’ Tifani Grimes. Jackson enters with a best of 5-8, with Grimes 5-7.

Pole Vault

Eight competitors have bested the 11-0 barrier with freshman newcomer Rachel Simmons (Rocklin) topping the list at 11-6. Defending champion Kantola (St. Francis), and Krista Bayers (Calaveras) are close behind at 11-4.

Long Jump

18-0 might not be good enough here with three jumpers outdistancing the field. West’ Brittany Daniels (State #4), last year’s runner up, and Quinley are just a shade better at 19-4w than Grimes (St. Francis) who looks for the upset at 19-3-1/2w. All three could threaten the 20-foot barrier.

Triple Jump

Like Lawrence (400), Daniels appears to be without peer. The third time’s the charm for the defending state champ (State #1) in this event. She’s out to 42-7 and looking for more. Jackson (Napa) moves over from the ‘HJ’ and has a great shot for silver with a 38-2-3/4 effort. Look for big efforts also, from Sheldon’s Jamilah Barnes (37-2) and Roseville’s Lori Vaught (37-1).

Shot Put

Merced’s Amanda Moore (42-5-1/2, State #8) has established herself as the front-runner while Jahylica Bland (Modesto) has gone out 41-3. At number three is Sheldon’s Ashley Arbuckle with a best of 40-7.

Discus

The top three are over 130-0 for the year with Wood of Vacaville’s Tai Battle (139-3) leading the way. Senior Krystal Thomson (Bret Harte-Altaville) checks in at 136-3-3/4 followed by Sarah Hendy of Sonora whose 130-0 effort should hold down the third and final spot.

Boys Preview:

100 - Meters

WOW! Don’t blink for this one. Sheldon’s diminutive Rashaad Nunnally has bounced back from a mid-season car accident and heads a tightly contested field at 10.68. Senior Carl Crawford (East Union-Manteca) is right there at 10.71. Several others, including Delano Clarke (Sacramento) and Sam Stroughter (Granite Bay) should make things interesting with 10.78 and 10.84 respectively.

200 Meters

Crawford (State #6) looks to claim his first Section title and looks solid at 21.61/21.43w. Fairfield’s Desmond Morris (21.79/21.62w) and Clarke (21.84) could get close. Just a hair back is Lincoln-Stockton sophomore, Devin Mays at 21.87. Should be a good one!

400 Meters

Morris (#3 State) has been scintillating this year and is a solid bet to claim gold. The Falcons workhorse has the Section’s only sub-48 clocking at 47.43. Michael Johnson (Lincoln-Stockton) had an early-season 48.33, but has tailed off of late. This could be a statement race for Florin-Sacramento’s Mitchell Moore (49.28) who’s shown steady improvement the past few weeks.

800 Meters

Woodcreek-Roseville’s Calvin Glass (State #2) has been superb this year. Glass’ 1:52.84 looks solid, but don’t overlook Tim Bardet (Granite Bay) at 1:54.39. Justin Fisk (Yuba City) looks to bounce back from a disappointing season of a year ago and is strong at 1:54.52.

1600 Meters

Again, it’s Glass. The defending state champ is impressive at 4:13.86c. Chris Fuller (Granite Bay) at 4:18.07, Oakmont-Roseville’s Erik Arreygue (4:20.13) and Franklin-Elk Grove sophomore, Marlon Patterson (4:20.41) should make the battle for number two and three spots entertaining. Also don’t overlook Vacaville’s Cheyne Inman. Inman edged Patterson a week ago in a thrilling race, which unfortunately, was lined up incorrectly at the start. Both should figure heavily in the final.

3200 Meters

Jesuit-Carmichael’s John Wihtol, continues the Marauder tradition and is the favorite along with Inman. Withol’s 9:19.96c is second best to Inman at 9:18.56. Look for Alex Duenas (Woodcreek-Roseville) at 9:22.52.

110 High Hurdles

Senior, James Maynard (Stagg-Stockton) has emerged as the class of the highs. Maynard (State #5) has shown steady improvement and leads the list at 14.34. Buhach Colony’s Val Dai Re has been a well-kept secret, but no more. Dai Re is after Maynard and could get close as his 14.53 season best suggests. At 14.57 Cal-bound Steven Conrad (Nevada Union-Grass Valley) starts his busy day here.

300 Intermediate Hurdles

Maynard (State #5) has his sights set on a State at 37.89 to lead all others. Elk Grove’s Jordan Stevenson is consistent (38.40, State #8) and is in excellent shape to medal. The bronze is really up for grabs as no less than seven competitors are in at 39.65 or better.

400 Meter Relay

A bit of the luster is gone from this one as Section #1 Grant-Sacramento (42.11), dropped the baton and won’t advance. Elk Grove clocked 42.68 to win Sub-III and looks to be the slight favorite. Fairfield ran 42.65 at their league championships.

1600 Meter Relay

This one looks like another Fairfield/Elk Grove tussle. The Falcons (anchored by Morris) bested the Thundering Herd, 3:18.19 to 3:19.89. Look for another outstanding effort from both squads as the Falcons (State #5) attempt to defend. Hiram Johnson-Sacramento (3:21.25) and Lincoln-Stockton (3:22.26) should lock horns for the third and final berth.

High Jump

Mesa Verde-Citrus Heights junior, Aiona Key, the co-State leader at 7-0 is solid to claim his first Section crown. The field is wide open behind Key with four jumpers at 6-6 and one (Benicia junior Dan Campbell) at 6-5.

Pole Vault

The SJS could be witnessing the beginning of a dynasty of sorts here. Three of the Section’s top vaulters reside at Granite Bay, paced by defending CIF champion Ryan Shuler. Shuler erupted last week clearing the State’s top mark with a monster 16-6 and was followed by teammate Scott Roth at 16-0 (State #4). Kasey Burlingham (Colfax) could have a lot to say about things with his impressive 15-6 mark along with Jesuit’s Kelly McGrath (15-2-1/2).

Long Jump

The State’s top two jumpers square off in the SJS. Headed by Grant-Sacramento’s Devon Jones, this event is special! Jones leaped to the top of the State rankings with a 24-2-3/4 Sub-III win. He needed every bit of that to hold off Nunnally (Sheldon) at 23-11-1/4. The versatile Steven Conrad (Nevada Union) was close in third with a leap of 23-7 (State #5). Granite Bay’s Sam Stroughter is no slouch at 23-4, and still, there’s Lincoln-Stockton senior Bryan Parker, also at 23-4, both at #7 in the State. A loaded field!

Triple Jump
Parker leaped into the favorite’s role wining Sub-I with a season ‘PR’ 47-7w. SJAA rival Adal Wiley (Tracy), is just a bit better than the rest of the field at 45-9-1/2.

Shot Put

Defending champ Aaron Tombleson (Woodland) is the class of the field at 60-6 (State #6). Teammate Joey Baer looks to make this a one-two finish for the Wolves with Section #2 best mark of 56-8-3/4. The battle for third could come down to Del Campo-Fair Oaks’ Brandon Latiker and Lincoln-Stockton’s Reynard Camp, both with 53-3 efforts.

Discus

Tombleson looks to claim double gold with his Section leading 182-10 (State #8). Josh Marlar (Colfax) who upset Tombleson at Sub-III, looks to improve on his 170-6 effort. Joey Baer and Bryan Ames (Laguna Creek), on paper should make the battle for third interesting at 168-1 and 160-4 respectively.