Pitman High track and field head coach Thad Moren said the Pride has had one goal in mind since finishing the last league meet in April. That goal was to put all the season's hard work into a top showing at last week's CIF Sac-Joaquin Division I Section finals.
At the end of competition on Friday at Elk Grove High, the Pitman girls walked away with a fifth place team finish and 22 Pride athletes qualified to move on to the Master's Meet.
“Our girls did very well overall, just a great job from all of them,” Moren said.
The Lady Pride scored 38 points, with pole vaulters Lindsey Phillips and Allie Austin combined for 13 points.
Phillips cleared 10 feet, 8 inches, which was good enough for second place. With a 10-foot-2 mark, Austin was able to take five points and a third place finish.
In the triple and long jump, a handful of seniors squared off for the Pride and had above average results.
Lauren Cariaso finished fourth in the triple and long jump, while Sydney Holmes topped out at 16th in the long jump and eighth in the triple. Jamie Stroup finished 20th in the triple.
Pitman's Kiana Clay placed fourth in the 400 and 200 meter races, respectively, finishing with a time of 56.71 and 25.45.
The Pitman boys had a few great performances, including sophomore Isaiah Marable who set five school records beginning with a third place finish in the 400 meter as he ran with a time of 49.30.
“Pretty much we can expect all of our boys and girls to compete and be in the mix for a top 10 spot,” said Moren with confidence. “They just need a little super boost to nab a top three spot.”
Turlock High will be sending four athletes onto the Master's Meet, the 4x4 relay team of Bryan Montes, Ryan Weaver, Gali Farias and Jesus Robledo who recently broke the school record with a time of 3:24.23.
“It was also one of the fastest times in Sections,” said Turlock head coach JoAnn Davison.
Weaver and Montes also qualified in their respective events. Weaver in the 400 meter dash and Montes in the 300 hurdles. Montes finished 10th with a time of 40.24 and Weaver placed 7th with a 50.17.
“Turns out these kids wanted to run faster,” said Davison. “This group of young men are just some of the best we have had all-together.”
Despite nobody moving on to Master's from the Turlock girls side, the Lady Bulldogs still had stellar performances.
Sophomore Adelae Fredeen posted her season best in the 300 meter hurdles race, topping out in 12th place out of 16 with a time of 48.52 and fellow sophomore standout Jessica Bettencourt followed just behind with a time of 48.68.
Fredeen and Bettencourt along with Julia Handy and Molly Clark were part of the girls 4x100 relay team that topped out in 7th in the finale with a time of 50.77.
“What a phenomenal day overall,” said Davison. “It’s been a successful post season.”
The Master's Meet trials are set to take place at 3 p.m. Thursday at Elk Grove High School.
