Turlock High senior Max McFarlane’s goal this year is to win Central California Athletic League track and field titles in four different events: the pole vault, long jump, triple jump and high jump.
“That was the goal last year, too,” said McFarlane, who won the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters title in the pole vault with a leap of 16 feet, 5 inches, then went on to finish second at the CIF state meet. “But I was only able to win two (pole vault, triple jump).”
After the first league meet last Wednesday, McFarlane’s goal appears to be within his grasp,
The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder, who has signed a letter of intent to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy, took three first-place finishes, and very nearly a fourth, in last week’s first CCAL meet at a cold and windy Pitman High School. He handily won the pole vault with a leap of 15-6. He also won the long jump (20-4) and triple jump (42-0). In the high jump, McFarlane cleared 5-10, as did Pitman’s Johathan Aho, who edged out McFarlane for first place by having fewer missed attempts.
Early the next morning, McFarlane flew to New York City to compete in the Nike Indoor Nationals on Saturday, where he placed sixth overall with a vault of 15-6.
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Favorite class: Psychology with Mr. (Ryan) Tribble
Favorite food: Pizza
Hobbies: Fishing, hiking … outdoor stuff
Secret talent: I’m a pilot
Dream college: U.S. Air Force Academy
Favorite Movie: “Hacksaw Ridge”
Favorite TV show: “Peaky Blinders”
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite athlete: K.C. Lightfoot
Favorite team: Team USA
Last book read: “The Magician’s Nephew” by C.S. Lewis
Favorite artist: Zach Bryan
Three songs on my playlist: “Lady May” by Tyler Childers; “Jersey Giant” by Evan Honer; “I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan
Finish this sentence: I can’t live without … Raising Cane's chicken.
Finish this sentence: In 10 years I will be … a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.
