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Turlocks boys sprint past the Thunder; girls lose by two points
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Turlocks Oscar Olide clears a hurdle with a Thunder athlete in hot pursuit. - photo by FRANKIE TOVAR / The Journal

 

In the past, Turlock High’s boys track team has excelled in many events but in the last few years sprinting has not been something the Bulldogs (1-1-1 CCC) could rely on.

But things have changed.

Turlock’s short distance capabilities have proven to be its greatest strength this season, which was apparent during Wednesday’s meet against Buhach Colony High. With runners like Jevon Hogan, Ryan Weaver, Alec Nicolai and Ty Hyer, the Bulldogs blew past the Thunder 82-54, claiming all but the long distance running events.

“The boys are doing really well because they have the sprinters,” Turlock’s girls head coach Mike Brown said. “It’s nice because we haven’t had (good) sprinters in a long time.”

During Wednesday’s meet Hogan took first place in the 100m, Alec Nicolai took first in the 200m, and Weaver took first in the 400m. The group also placed first in the 4x100m relay, an event for which they now hold the school record.

Other notable performances include Ron Barton’s first place pole vault of 12 feet, a personal best, and Danny Serpa’s first place finish in the long jump.

Turlock’s girls, on the other hand, haven’t fared too well this season in short distance events. The Lady Bulldogs’ (1-1-1 CCC) sprinting struggles aided Buhach in its narrow 69-67 team victory on Wednesday.

“They had some really good athletes. I knew they were going to be tough in the running events,” Brown said.

In fact, the only running events Turlock claimed were the 400m and 4x400m relay. The Bulldogs did dominate in the jumping events, however, with first place finishes from Cierra Booz, Sarah Gemperle, and Katrina Tate in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump respectively. Nicole Cipponeri also pulled out a first place finish in the pole vault competition with a 9 foot vault. In addition to jumping, Turlock did well in the hurdle events as Mallory Patino took first in both the 100m and 300m hurdles.

Unfortunately, the Thunder’s strength on the track and their sweep of throwing events was enough to edge out the Lady Bulldogs, handing them their second league loss of the season.

With the CCC Championship meet less than a month away Turlock boys and girls find themselves running in the middle of the pack in league standings. The Bulldogs will participate in Saturday’s Hughson Vintage Invitational at Joe Debely Stadium before their meet with Golden Valley High on April 25.