Turlock High’s track and field coach Bergann Hernandez told her Bulldog squad to be ready to compete and to leave it out on the track heading into the third and final Center Meet on Wednesday.
“That way, win or lose, they know they gave everything they could,” said Hernandez.
The first ever Central California Athletic League Championship belongs to the Turlock High varsity girls and boys track and field teams, after both managed to display a great team win that led to a victory in the final Center Meet on Wednesday from Joe Debely Stadium.
Turlock High’s varsity girls managed to pull away with a team win and notched 191 points. Pitman was just behind with 183.5.
On the varsity boys side, Turlock won it all with a team score of 235.5, while Pitman was in second with 165.5.
“I could not be prouder of my teams,” said Hernandez. “They fought a good fight. They never gave up and never backed off. Almost all of them hit PRs. Our varsity girls won by 7.5 points. We came into this meet knowing that every point mattered. The girls had to do their jobs and compete well. They did just that from the very beginning.”
“Finishing center meet season is a milestone to the season where we have a big roster of kids and now maybe half will qualify for CCAL championships, so now we have time to prepare,” said Pitman head coach Thad Moren.
In the varsity girls 100-meter race, Turlock freshman Kylee Redman took first with a time of 12.36. Teammate Katja Guerrero took second after clocking in at 12.71. Guerrero took second in the 200-meter race and Redman placed in third.
“Our freshman standout Kylee Redman ran a smoking-fast time of 12.36 to set a new school record. Breaking the record that was previously held by Lexi Bethel for the last 23 years,” said Hernandez about Redman.
Mavleen Mann of Pitman dominated her races once again, taking first in the 800-meter, 1600-meter and 3200-meter races.
Turlock’s Catelyn Cummings, Redman, Sarah Romo and Guerrero placed first in the 4x1 relay after clocking in at 49.85.
“The best part of this team is that we have all our areas covered. We knew where our competition was and the girls went for it. With a crazy strong core of young athletes, we had quite a few standouts,” said Hernandez. “Our standouts for the girls would be Sarah Romo and Kasandra Medel in the pole vault. Both took jumps at a new school record. Katja Guerrero got close to the 200 record again. She will get it soon.”
Romo, along with Medel, cleared 10 feet, 9 inches.
Delilah Vieira of Pitman took first in the shot put after tossing it 35 feet, 4 inches. Teammate Khaiya Simpson took first in the discus after clearing 120 feet, 7 inches.
Turlock’s Jazmyn Tubbs took first in the high jump after clearing 5 feet even.
Pitman’s Maddy Hall took first in the triple jump after clearing 33-feet, 7.25 inches.
In the 100-meter race for the boys, Turlock’s Sammy Wilson led the way in first place with a time of 10.72, while Pitman’s Quincey Williams (10.86) and Denzel Steckwren (11.05), followed. Williams took first in the 200-meter race with a time of 21.97.
Jayson Martin of Pitman clocked in at 2:02.59 in the 800-meter race and took first by over three seconds. Uriel Alvarez took second with a time of 2:05.93.
Martin also took first in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter race.
In the 110-meter hurdles, Donavyn Faria of Pitman took first with a time of 16.38 and Cameron Fader followed after clocking in at 16.77. Faria took first in the 300-meter race with a time of 42.77. Sophomore Josiah Gonzales of Turlock took second with a time of 45.08.
Faria also took first in the long jump after clearing 19-feet and 6 inches.
Ty Montgomery of Turlock placed first in the triple jump after clearing 41-feet and 4.5 inches.
Senior Silas Fredeen of Turlock took first in the pole vault after clearing 15-feet. Sophomore Wyatt Romo took second after clearing 14-feet and 6 inches. Turlock captured six of the top spots and seven of eight.
“Silas Fredeen and our vaulters took 7 of the 8 scoring places for pole vault. With Silas taking first with a good attempt at a school record,” said Hernandez.
Jake Dirkse captured first in the discus after hitting 142’6”. Dirkse also took second in the shot put after tossing the shot 40-feet.
Pitman’s 4x4 relay team of Steven Harry, Cameron Loesche, Bryce Van Allen and Williams took first with a time of 3:37.47.
Turlock’s Cade Gilbert, Rios Rogers, Sammy Wilson and Darian White took first in the 4x1 relay after clocking in at 42.94.
“We did better overall than we did last year in league, definitely something that was much better, because this year’s practice has been all over the place,” said Moren. “We been really spread out so it will be nice next year we will all be together and cohesive, won frosh/soph Pitman boys are CCAL champs as well.”
Turlock’s frosh/soph girls won the CCAL title while the Pitman frosh/soph boys won the CCAL as well.
The CCAL Championships will take place from Joe Debely at 3:30 p.m. April 30.
