After a long track and field season for many high school programs in the Santa Clarita Valley, local stars shined in the California Interscholastic Federation SouthernSection track and field finals on Saturday as multiple schools ended the season with champions.
The Canyon Cowboys ended Saturday’s competition with a Division 2 girls’ runner-up plaque, an achievement for coach George Velarde and the program.
“The staff and I are excited and proud. Even though it’s a runner-up, we brought home a plaque,” Velarde said. “The effort was there. They did everything they could have and we’re so proud of them.”
During the competition, Canyon’s junior Alaya Graves-Hogains ended the day as a CIF champion in the 400-meter with a time of 55.29 in Division 2
“Alaya ran a great and aggressive race and in the 200m, she was very aggressive, and she’s a CIF champion as a junior,” Velarde said.
In third place of the 400-meter Division 2, freshman Khloe McCoy finished the same race in third and capped off a double podium for the Cowboys.
As for Canyon’s relay team, the girls’ team took wins in the 4x100m and 4×400-meter in Division 2 and took home a CIF championship.
“These groups of girls right now, they’re getting healthier, and they are peaking at the right time over here,” Velarde said.
On the boys’ side for Canyon, the Cowboys had two top five finishers in Caleb Williams and Owen Souther.
Williams finished fourth in the 400-meter in Division 2 while Souther ended fifth in the 1600-meter.
The Cowboys, in total, will send off seven qualifiers to the CIF Southern Section masters qualifiers, which will determine who from the Southern Section will compete in the state meet.
For Velarde, the goal remains to have as much Canyon High School representation as possible at the state meet and, with runners getting healthy, he believes they can have a good weekend at the masters.
“We’re excited for all the boys and girls that have made it thus far,” Velarde said. “Heading into next week, it’s all about recovering and continuing in keeping them sharp in their pace, time and in practice.”
The West Ranch Wildcats had a big weekend for the program as junior Tamea Crear secured a CIF championship in the 200-meter Division 2. And in the 100m, Crear finished as runner-up and was three-tenths behind the leader.
“There’s some good competition and for her to stay in the zone and stay focused and execute the plan, that’s what a coach can only dream for,” said Mark Crear, West Ranch’s boys’ track and field coach and Tamea’s father.
Tamea Crear is now a three-time CIF champion after winning the 200-meter last season with West Ranch, and a title up north in the Sac-Joaquin Section as a freshman.
As for the rest of the Wildcats, Avery Prestridge finished third in the Division 2 high jump and ended the day with a medal and qualified for the masters meet alongside Tamea.
On the boys’ side, Alden Glass finished fourth in the high jump in Division 2 and ended the day with a consideration time for the masters meet.
For the Hart High School track and field program, the Hawks got to celebrate a CIF champion as senior Graysen Rivera took home the win in the Division 2 shot put.
Rivera, who’s a two-sport athlete with the football and track and field programs, finished in first with a shot put of 57 feet and three inches (57-03) or 17.44 meters – narrowly defeating Santa Barbara’s Malachi Johnston by 2 inches.
“Graysen has dedicated a huge amount of time and patience to his craft. Most of his competitors are several inches taller than him, which puts him at a disadvantage,” said Kevin Howard, Rivera’s throwing coach. “But what he lacks in height, he more than makes up in desire, drive and dedication. His attitude really sets him apart.”
As for Saugus, the Centurions’ Lucia Pearson finished as runner-up in the girls’ 1600-meter in Division 1 and will represent Saugus High School at the masters qualifiers.
The Valencia Vikings had two runners finish in the top five in their respective races.
Caysen Badawi, who secured the boys’ 200-meter championship in the Foothill League, ended fifth in the CIF Southern Section race with a total time of 21.41 in Division 1.
Valencia’s Bryton Cole recorded a fifth-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles in Division 1.
The CIF Southern Section track and field master’s qualifiers are scheduled to be held on Saturday at Moorpark High School with the top finishers advancing to representthe Southern Section in the state meet at the end of May.
