June 17-18, 2005

Valley Oak League Finals
Tuesday 5/10/04 - (SJ)

Sierra's McNair grabs four VOL titles
East Union's Darst keeps up winning streak in girls hurdles


TURLOCK — Sierra High's Cherise McNair won four events Tuesday in the Valley Oak League track and field championships at Cal State Stanislaus.
The junior won the 800 meters (2 minutes, 30.59 seconds), 1,600 (5:22.62), 3,200 (12:36.53) and was on the winning 4x400 relay team (4:40.88).

"She is just an animal on the track," Sierra coach Steve Unterholzner said. "She is just a pleasure to watch. From at least the 800 and up, and maybe the 400, she is the fastest around."

East Union's Burcu Darst won both girls hurdles races, taking the 100 in 17.18 and 300 in 51.12.

"I hadn't lost in league competition all year," Darst said. "But I wasn't sure of things coming in so I knew I would have to run my hardest. I got a PR in both races."

Sierra's Ryan Mitchell won the 300 hurdles (40.29) and placed second in the 110 hurdles (15.84).

"In the 110 hurdles I felt pretty good when I came out of the blocks," Mitchell said. "But I hit the front of my leg on the second hurdle, and it kind of slowed me down.

"In the 300s I did a lot better than I have been. I came out of the blocks faster, and I finished strong."

Sierra's Robyn Soldwisch was first in the 400 (1:02.72), long jump (15 feet, 10 inches) and second in the 200 (27.30).

"I did a lot of jumps early on in the long jump, and that kind of tired me out," Soldwisch said. "But I am pleased with the way the rest of the day went."

East Union's Kevin Cooper won the 400 (50.81) and was second in the 800 (2:06.85).

"I got mono earlier in the season," Cooper said. "I lost 15 pounds and a lot of endurance, so my 800 is not where it should be.

"Next year, that will be the better of my two races.

Also taking first from Sierra was Asher Bell in the long jump (21-91/2), Anthony Gerads in the triple jump (41-10), Michael Mok in the 100 (11.37), Michale Elder in the high jump (6-4) and Jimmy Elam in the 3,200 (10:21.45).

Sierra's Tim Cardenas took second in the long jump (21-7), Elam placed second in the 1,600 (4:40.85), and Mok was second in the 200 (23.22).

Also finishing second from Sierra was Sophi Reck in the 3,200 (13:43.59), Jessica Fiore in the 1,600 (5:5.51) and Tim Cardenas in the long jump (20-11).

East Union's Caleb Mack was second in the 3,200, Manteca's Robin Meyer was second in the 800 (2:39.62), and Manteca's Enrique Jiminez was fourth in the 800 (2:07.63).

"That was a PR by two seconds," Jiminez said. "I want to get as close to two minutes as I can at sections."

Weston Ranch's Casceal Swaggard finshed second in the long jump (15-7), high jump (4-10) and third in the 100 (13.47).

"This is my first year in track, so I am still getting the hang of it," Swaggard said. "My coach says I am doing real well, and I am happy with the way things went."