June 17-18, 2005

2005 California State Meet

Boys High Jump
Solid group of 6-10 or better leapers should make this a fun one! Aiona Key (Mesa Verde, Cirus Heights-SJ) was fourth in last year’s State meet here, and was 6-10 here last week to go along with a 7-01 seasonal best! David Klech (California, San Ramon-NCS) is all over the place this weekend, with this Saturday 3:00 pm finals the same time as he will be competing in the Long Jump (we and he hopes!)–he was a State Finalist in the HJ last year. David was 7-00.75 in the Oakland Relays this year, and owns a win over Key and Fletcher Carlyle at Stanford, with a 7-00 clearance there! Nathan Gwozdz (La Jolla-SD) is 6-10.25 this season with a solid Invitational season this spring! Fletcher Carlyle (Vintage, Napa) barely missed the Finals in last year’s State affair, and has had a solid multi-team meet season to go with his 6-10 best. Donn Thompson Jr and Terrence Austin (Poly, Long Beach-SS), both Finalists last year (Donn 5th, and Terrence 8th) hope to help the Jackrabbit point cause mightily here, with both 6-07 jumpers consistent and ready to improve. Thompson is also a top hurdler, with Austin one of the nation’s top receiver/defensive backs in football!! Tim Sebastian (North, Riverside-SS) is the latest fine jumper from the Southern Section inland empire power, with the junior emerging to take the Southern Section State qualifiers affair. Vannie Prudhomme (Dorsey, LA) is a very talented all-around athlete, a top hurdler, and a 6-10 lifetime best here to go along with his LA City title– he was a State Finalist in the Highs last year and just missed out on the finals in this High Jump in 04 here. Andre Roper (Oak Grove-CCS) was his area’s Section champ and Hampton-Phillips Invitational champ during the regular season at 6-06.
Dark-Horse(s) - Lance Gonzalez (Murrieta Valley-SS) all-arounder was 6-06 in the Southern Section Finals, and Ben Nelson (Vacaville-SJ) junior another at 6-06 in his section finals contest.
Predictions:
1) -Aiona Key (Mesa Verde, Citrus Heights-SJ) - fourth here last year, jumps well here and ready to go! Off to Boise State and football and the Jacoby HJ school next year!
2) *David Klech (California, San Ramon-NCS) - lot of jumping and running this weekend for Decathlon star. Finalist last year and should be very tough!
3) -Nathan Gwozdz (La Jolla-SD) fine Invitational season to go along with 6-10.25 best.
4) -Fletcher Carlyle (Vintage, Napa-SJ) Solid season - 6-10 on this pit last week!
5) -Donn Thompson (Poly, Long Beach-SS) fifth in event last year - 6-07 best but consistent!
6) *Terrence Austin (Poly, Long Beach-SS) Finalist last year - quite a bit over his head (the bar not the competition!) but that kind of a performer!
7) *Tim Sebastian (North, Riverside-SS) Latest jump star from North, Riverside - emerged late but strong!
8) -Vannie Prudhomme (Dorsey, LA) Talented hurdler/jumper with team points on his mind!
9) -Andre Roper (Oak Grove-CCS) Section title and Invitational wins during year

Pole Vault
Super field with five 16-footers along for the ride! Should be brutal to make the Finals, with last year 15-03.75 to make the top nine for Saturday! Scott Roth (Granite Bay-SJ) defending Champ and sailed through May in super style, topping out at 17-02 after a 17-01 to end April! Scott needs to be on his game with a tough pack behind! Jeff Coover (La Jolla-SD) was 16-04 to take his Section affair, and had a good spring Invitational season (second to Roth at Arcadia 16-3 to 15-9). Ryan Shuler (Granite Bay-SJ) is the other half of the Granite Bay squad here, with a 16-00 best this spring, third in this meet last year, and third to the above duo at Arcadia at 15-9 in mid-April. Greg Woepse (Mater Dei, Santa Ana-SS) is the latest out of the super Orange County vaulting family, with a 16-00 clearance to take the Southern Section finals contest. Scott Finley (Granite Hills, El Cajon-SD) was sixth here last year, with a 16-02 seasonal best and 15-08 last weekend in the San Diego qualifier. Joe Fazio (Riordan, San Francisco-CCS) was the winner of a tough section, with a 15-08 seasonal best there and good season-long Invitational placings! -Sejoon Park (Rancho Bernardo, SD) was a State Meet competitor last June, with no statewide competition in the event complete without a member of one of the State’s most prolific vault programs under Tom Martin. Johnny Quinn (St. Margaret’s, San Juan Capistrano-SS) has emerged strongly in the area championship competitions, with a 15-6 best in winning the Section Small Schools title two weekends back. Casey Roche (St. Francis, Mountain View-CCS) has a 15-07 best as a soph, with his school another with amazing depth under Coach Tom Tuite.
Dark Horse(s) - tough crew!! Jesse McLennen (Valley Center-SD), Central Section champ Andrew Pancotti (Clovis East), Eric Tanenbaum (Northgate, Walnut Creek-NCS), and Kyle Mills-Bunge (St. Francis, Mountain View-CCS) one of the state’s great all-arounders!
Predictions:
1) *Scott Roth (Granite Bay-SJ) 17-02, 17-01 meets this year defending champ and only a junior!
2) -Jeff Coover (La Jolla-SD) 16-04 last weekend and good spring of traveling and jumping!
3) *Ryan Shuler (Granite Bay-SJ) 16-footer here at home - 2002 State Champ as frosh!!
4) *Greg Woepse (Mater Dei, Santa Ana-SS) 16-feet last weekend, a last name you find in every California pole vault result!!
5) -Scott Finley (Granite Hills, El Cajon-SD) 16-02 this year and sixth here last year!
6) -Joe Fazio (Riordan, San Francisco-CCS) solid spring capped by CCS win at 15-08
7) -Sejoon Park (Rancho Bernardo, SD-SD) State Meet competitor last year - 15-6 best
8) *Johnny Quinn (St. Margaret’s, San Juan Capistrano-SS) Small schooler proves for real at 15-06.
9) **Casey Roche (St. Francis, Mountain View-CCS) Future of the sport hoping for finals spot and place!

Long Jump
Alex Pearlstone (Drake, San Anselmo-NCS) is one tough competitor to go along with his 23-10.25 seasonal best–he sprints and jumps with authority! David Klech (California, San Ramon-NCS) handled Pearlstone at Oakland, with Alex returning the favor on this facility in the Sacramento Meet of Champs! David will mix this with High-Jumping on Saturday’s Final schedule, with a 24-07w best on the runway! Derrick Smith (Colony, Ontario-SS) was the first Californian at the Arcadia meet, then cranked 23-08.5 in the Southern Section State Qualifier. Marcel Keeling (Serra, Gardena-SS) was sixth here last year, and was 23-04.25 last weekend (23-06 seasonal best). Zuheir Sharif (Franklin, Elk Grove-SJ) is a fine long/triple jumper, with a good spring of Invitational jumping and third to Pearlstone/Klech at the Sacramento MOC here. Terry Prentice (Diamond Ranch, Pomona) was 23-03.5 last weekend in the Southern Section Finals, and was the Mt. Carmel Champ in mid-spring in this event. Andre Crenshaw (Antelope Valley, Lancaster-SS) bears close watching, with last year’s State meet runner-up probably primed for something special–he has a 24-05w seasonal best and 23-04 in winning the Southern Section Division I title two weeks back. Demondre Ward, a soph from Oakland HS was a fine 23-00 in winning his Section Finals contest, with Justin Clarke (Dorsey, LA) 22-07.75 to take the LA City title and dangerous with the Dons aiming at the team title in this meet!
Dark Horse(s) - Nelson Rosario (El Camino, Oceanside), a frosh, popped a 23-02.75 to win the San Diego Finals, with Kyle Mills-Bunge (St. Francis, Mountain View-CCS) 23-07.25 one of the state’s top all-around athletes! Nkosinza Balumbu (Logan, Union City-NCS) is a spirited competitor with such great memories of last year’s State meet here, it’s tough to imagine a jump final without him!
Predictions:
1) -Alex Pearlstone (Drake, San Anselmo-NCS) power sprinter/jumper hopes to catch one for the win!
2) *David Klech (California, San Ramon-NCS) super bay-area all-arounder could pull off one of the great eleventh grade competitions in State History here!
3) *Derrick Smith (Colony, Ontario-SS) Southern Section winner is hot off a 23-08.5 last weekend!
4) -Marcel Keeling (Serra, Gardena-SS) Veteran was sixth last year and was close behind Smith at Arcadia as second Californian.
5) *Zuheir Sharif (Franklin, Elk Grove-SJ) Super all-around junior hopes to cart the medals home here and in Triple Jump!
6) **Terry Prentice (Diamond Ranch, Pomona-SS) Top hurdler branches out to real success here also!
7) *Andre Crenshaw (Antelope Valley, Lancaster-SS) runner-up last year here, talented and ready to pop a big one!
8) **Demondre Ward (Oakland) Super youngster continues to develop nicely - Finals experience as a soph would be great!
9) -Justin Clarke (Dorsey, LA) City Champ looking for some team points to help the Don cause!

Triple Jump
One of our favorite athletes is Nkosinza Balumbu (Logan, Union City-NCS), with his competitions with teammate Angelo Jeffery and booming efforts here to take the State title while hurdler teammate Kevin Craddock raced to some stunning clockings last year here some of our more pleasant recent memories in the sport! His 52-04w jump at Oakland is easily the best in the nation this spring under any conditions, with his 50-02.5 wind legal best #3 in the nation on that list. He is undefeated this spring in the event. Outstanding junior, Zuheir Sharif (Franklin, Elk Grove) is biding his time in the wings, a fine 49-09.25w here last weekend, looking out over 50 feet and a win if the Logan star stumbles at all! Richard Sherman (Dominguez, Compton-SS), an outstanding defensive back in football, has steadily improved this junior season in the TJ, out to 49-05.75 last weekend to stun the Southern Section crowd! Eric Quick (Liberty, Bakersfield-Ce), the area champion, was seventh here last year as a soph, with a 48-03 best and good season record. Scott Tsuda (Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks-SS) was a competitor here last year, and steady with a 48-03.75 best from two weekends back. Franklin Gladney (El Camino, Oceanside-SD) was the San Diego Champ at 48-02, was a near miss for a finalist spot here last year, and is jumping for team points for one of the better squads to come from his area in recent years. Aven Wright (J Serra, San Mateo-CCS) popped a fine 48-02 to take the CCS title, with a well-traveled spring Invitational season. Rex Bridgeforth (Rio Mesa, Oxnard-SS) was seventh here last year in the Long Jump, but is picking up the three-bound event in fine style, out to 47-04.75 two weekends ago with more in the tank. Josh Como (Rancho Verde, Moreno Valley-SS) was a fine 47-07.75 last weekend in the Southern Section Finals competition, with a fifth at Arcadia against most of the State’s top jumpers.
Dark Horse(s) - Tevin McDowell (Tulare Western-Ce) fine 47-02.75 Central Section affair and jumped here in the Meet of champions, Nnamdi Gwacham (Ayala, Chino Hills-SS), a competitor here last year with a 46-10.5 seasonal best from last weekend, and Charles Amadi (Edison, Fresno-Ce) fourth in the event last year and rounding into shape after injury, 46-04.75 in the Central Section Meet nearly three weeks back and time to work and heal!
Predictions:
1) -Nkosinza Balumbu (Logan, Union City-NCS) Defending champ - undefeated - nation’s best jump this year - give him a clap and watch him go!!!
2) *Zuheir Sharif (Franklin, Elk Grove-SJ) Super junior year where he loses only to Balumbu so far - very consistent and ready to pop something special!
3) *Richard Sherman (Dominguez, Compton-SS) shocking improvement of late out to 49-05.75 in area action!
4) *Eric Quick (Liberty, Bakersfield-Ce) Section Champ was seventh here last year with fine spring season.
5) -Scott Tsuda (Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks-SS) steady 48-footer ready for big close to prep career.
6) -Franklin Gladney (El Camino, Oceanside-SD) Area champ - 12th in 04 prelims here - ready for medal stand!
7) -Aven Wright (J Serra, San Mateo-CCS) area champ - all over this spring - 2nd in Meet of Champs here a month back!
8) -Rex Bridgeforth (Rio Mesa, Oxnard-SS) Steadily improving and out to mid-47's - potential for farther with experience here last year in LJ finals
9) *Josh Como (Rancho Verde, Moreno Valley-SS) good season capped with 47-07.75 last weekend

Shot Put
Nine 59-footers make the finals tough to qualify for here!! Danny Rohr (Arroyo Grande-SS) was tenth in the 2004 Prelims here, and with his 62-08 seasonal best we are sure he hopes to erase the zero at the end of that 2004 placing across the board this weekend! They will have to pass a bond issue to add the wing in the gym to hold all the weight team awards from recent campaigns at AG! Darius Savage (Morse, SD) is hot, with a 59-11.25 last weekend for a lifetime best for the eleventh grader who was twelfth here in the Prelims last year. Aaron Dan (Esperanza, Anaheim-SS), another squad under Coach Bill Pendleton who carts home a lot of medals, was eighth in this meet last year and has a 60-06 2005 best. Averell Spicer (Rancho Cucamonga-SS) is 59-11.5 this spring with a runner-up effort to Rohr at Mt. SAC and third at Arcadia. Bobby Scott (Clovis West, Fresno) was eleventh in the Prelims here last year, with the Central Section star 60-00.5 this spring and an area title to go along with a good regular season record. Joey Baer (Woodland-SJ), another from a weight dynasty, was 59-02 in winning the Sacramento Meet of Champions Invite here. Bo Taylor (Newport Harbor, Newport Beach-SS), a super junior, has steadily improved under Coach Tony Ciarelli (speaking of magicians in the event!) and was out to 59-05.5 last weekend. Alex Butler (El Modena, Orange-SS) is another who peaked in super style, out to 59-02.25 a week back. Alex Dekok (Saugus-SS) is a fine all-around thrower, with a 60-07.75 seasonal best and fifth last weekend in the area qualifier at 58-11.25.
Dark Horse(s) Erik Howard (El Cerrito-NCS) was fourteenth in the Prelims here last year, and improved to 57-07.75 to win the NCS title. Joel Karacozoff (Jesuit, Sacrament-SJ) was 57-01.75 to win the Section title in this facility a week back, with Tyler Dragon (Clovis West, Fresno-Ce) 57-01.75 a seasonal best.
Predictions:
1) -Danny Rohr (Arroyo Grande-SS) A bit of tradition on his side when he steps into the ring.
2) *Darius Savage (Morse, SD) big lifetime best 59-11.25 last weekend and looking for competition!
3) -Aaron Dan (Esperanza, Anaheim-SS) eighth in this competition last spring - led State’s best at Arcadia
4) -Averell Spicer (Rancho Cucamonga-SS) 59-11.5 thrower will be testing Pete Carroll’s “frosh can play” philosophy at Trojan-ville next Fall as one of nation’s top defensive lineman.
5) -Bobby Scott (Clovis West, Fresno-Ce) 60-footer took area title by over three feet - should thrive on competition.
6) -Joey Baer (Woodland-SJ) Best in this facility earlier in year - another program of excellent tradition
7) *Bo Taylor (Newport Harbor, Huntington Beach-SS) event award for “biggest improver during season” - hopes for over 60 feet to finish out junior year here!
8) -Alex Butler (El Modena, Orange-SS) another Orange County star who has impressed with continual improvement!
9) -Alex Dekok (Saugus-SS) 60'+ thrower will be tough to keep off the victory stand.

Discus
State leader at 202-00 Danny Rohr (Arroyo Grande-SS) led Golden Staters at Stanford, Arcadia, and Mt. SAC and hopes for great close to local prep career here! Darius Savage (Morse, SD) was a near 30-foot section finals winner at 196-10 and 2004 seventh placer here obviously looking for some external motivation from a fine field. Matt Swarbrick (Saugus-SS) has been out to 190-10, and was 181-06 here in winning the Sacramento Meet of Champions Invite. Aaron Dan (Esperanza, Anaheim-SS) hopes for a fine meet here to go along with Shot Put success–he has thrown 193-09 in the platter event! Alex Dekok (Saugus-SS) is the other half of the fine Magic Mountain area squad, with a 183-10 seasonal best last week and 180-10 in this ring a month back. Bobby Scott (Clovis West, Fresno-Ce) was eleventh in the prelims here last year, with the 185-08 thrower looking for an award this year. Carlton Gillespie (St. Bonaventure, Ventura-SS) had a lifetime best with his 182-00 for fifth last week in the Southern Section State Qualifier. Brandis Dew (Hemet-SS), one of the nation’s top quarterbacks headed for “Mr. Offense–Mike Price” at UTEP, is a 180-05 thrower who was an at-large qualifier from the Southern Section Finals. Rolando Gomez (Pioneer, San Jose-CCS) was in this competition last year, and was 174-07 in winning the CCS Championship a week back.
Dark Horse(s) - Scott Pierra (Buchanan, Clovis-Ce) 172-06 in the Central Section meet if any of the above slip up! Nick Battle (Mission Bay, San Diego) another with a lifetime best from the Section affair at 170-00. Skylar Aubochon (Buchanan, Clovis-Ce) 171-02 on the season, with Joey Baer (Woodland-SJ) 176-10 a couple of weekends back.
Predictions:
1) -Danny Rohr (Arroyo Grande-SS) state leader, topped the state’s best all season long, hopes for that second mini-peak here!
2) *Darius Savage (Morse, SD) - talented junior finalist last year and hopes for top rung on stand!
3) -Matt Swarbrick (Saugus-SS) over 190 a couple of times this spring, three well here along way.
4) -Aaron Dan (Esperanza, Anaheim) fine season and place at this level in Shot Put in 2004!
5) -Alex Dekok (Saugus-SS) Steady competitor with good effort in this ring back a month.
6) -Bobby Scott (Clovis West, Fresno-Ce) great career for Central star, unfinished business as still 1" shy of school record in this event at 185-08.
7) -Carlton Gillespie (St. Bonaventure, Ventura-SS) Football star personal best 182-00 last week.
8) -Brandis Dew (Hemet-SS) 6-7 star rated #24 prep QB in the nation can toss the discus 60 yards, the football who knows how far - looking to play on Sunday down the line!
9) -Rolando Gomez (Pioneer, San Jose-CCS) personal best last week, hopes to stay ahead of the pack close behind for finalist spot!