Turlock and Pitman High’s track and field teams continued their campaign of success this year at the Central California Conference Championship meet on Friday in Atwater. The Pride and Bulldogs have a combined 36 representatives—23 from Pitman and 13 from Turlock— competing in the Division I SJS trials today at Elk Grove High.

“Track and field is one of those things that you go out and compete against yourself. It’s something I tell the kids where you got to give your best every day,” Turlock head coach Mike Brown said. “That’s the thing about Division I, you’re competing against the best.”

“We’re hoping to see all of our relay teams get out there and improve upon their times from last week,” Pitman head coach Thad Moren said. “The training they have been doing has been helping. We are really excited for our pole vault group and throwing group to try and make finals and a statement as well.”

One of the day’s more accomplished performances belonged to Pitman’s Kelsee Derr who won her fourth consecutive CCC title in the 100m hurdles. She now has 14 conference medals in her career. 

“She has a drive to be the best at whatever she wants and is one of the best hurdlers we’ve ever seen,” Moren said about Derr. “She has shown a lot of consistency; she’s been working hard, avoiding injuries, being there all the time at the right place at the right time and has been very impressive overall.”

Derr also ran in the race of the night, the 4x400m relay alongside teammates Elisiah Frank, Terri Gallon and Kiana Clay.  The Pride girls won the 4x400 relay by nine seconds for a time of 4:01.36 which crushed the Pride’s school record by 5 seconds. Gallon also finished second in the high jump.  She tied for the lead in height, but was awarded second place due to her misses.

Also for the Pride, Isaac Gonzalez won the 3200m with a personal best of 10:00.68 in addition to another personal best in the 1600m with 4:33.04 to finish fourth. Jami Ford set a school record in the 3200m with a time of 12:36.93, but finished in fifth place. Lauren Cariaso won the triple jump with a 34 feet, 5.5 inches jump, and Lindsey Phillips took first in the pole vault with a 10 feet jump.

For the Bulldog girls, Mallory Patino finished second in the 100m hurdles and first in the 300m hurdles. Jocelyn Montes finished third in the 400m. Sara Gemperle took fourth in the pole vault. Brooke Vierra placed fourth in the discus. Katrina Tate finished fourth in the long jump. Cierra Booz placed second in the long jump and first in the triple jump. Patino, Montes,Emily Romo and Erin Knopp took third place in the 4x400m relay.

Representing the Bulldog boys in the Div. I SJS trials will be Logan Conner, who placed third in 300m hurdles, Jevon Hogan, who took third in the 200m, and Brian Jensen, who took fourth in pole vault. Conner, Hogan, Jesus Robledo and Adrian Rodriguez also took fourth in the 4x400m relay.

Other Pitman athletes moving on to the Div. I SJS trials:  Chance Hagar (pole vault, 4x100m, long jump), Alexa Benavides (high jump), Eric Finch (4x100m), Branson Garcia (high jump), Deandre Guilford (4x100m), Mackenzie Hassett (800m), Claire Littlefield (triple jump, 4x100m), Aaron Mayfield (800m), Jordan Porter (800m), Bryan Rosales (discus), Jamie Stroup (high jump) Lindsey Phillips (pole vault), Allie Austin (pole vault), Amber Flores (pole vault), Aaron Lusher (shot put), Rashel Pritchard (discus). David Marruffo (4x100m).

The trials for sections will take place today and the finals are set for Friday at Elk Grove.