Thirteen athletes from Pitman and Turlock High will compete in the Sac-Joaquin Section Track and Field Division I Masters trials on Thursday at Elk Grove High — 10 from Pitman and three from Turlock.  

“I am just looking forward to seeing these kids go compete,” Pitman head coach Thad Moren said. “Hopefully, they can extend it into another week. [We] are looking forward to the opportunity to see what they can do out there.”

At the Division I finals on Friday, the Pitman girls team finished 21st, followed by the Turlock girls at 22nd. The Pride boys team ended the meet at the 34th spot and the Turlock boys finished at 37th.

“I would like to tell every kid that this has been one of the best years I’ve ever had. The best leaders this group that I have ever had,” Turlock head coach Mike Brown said of his squad.  "All these kids have been our leaders all year long. That’s what hard work does for you. I am so proud of what they have accomplished and more proud of how hard they worked to get there."

The three Bulldogs who will be representing Turlock High at the Masters trials on Thursday are Mallory Patino who qualified for the 300m hurdles, Jevon Hogan (200m) and Cierra Booz, who placed seventh in the long jump and triple jump.

The girls’ 4x400m relay team finished just one spot away from qualifying and moving on to the Masters with a time of 4:10.20. The team consisted of Jocelyn Montes, Emily Romo, Erin Knopp-Sargoni and Patino.

For the Pride, three throwers — Aaron Lusher (shot-put), Bryan Rosales (discus) and Rashel Pritchard (discus) —  finished in the top 12 and will be moving on to the Masters trials.

Also, two Pitman High athletes qualified in the pole vault: Chance Hagar, who took fifth, and Lindsey Phillips, who placed sixth. Terri Gallon moved on for high jump, as she finished in the seventh spot.

On the track, the girls' 4x100m team ran the fifth fastest time of the day at 49.21seconds, a new school record. The relay team consisted of Claire Littlefield, who also qualified in the triple jump, Kiana Clay also qualified in the 200m, Lauren Cariaso, also qualified in the triple jump, and Kelsee Derr, who also qualified in the 100m and 300m hurdles.

“You know, the relay they ran flawlessly. It was very fun to watch. One of the things we've been trying to do all year is to get the last exchange off in a few seconds early and they did a great job,” Moren said. “You watch the hand offs and it was a great job by the girls.”

The SJS Masters trials will begin on Thursday and the finals are set for Friday at Elk Grove High.