John Muir Conquers Annual All-City Middle Schools Track and Field Meet

By Rick Assad
Special to MyBurbank 

Contributions by Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor

Under nearly perfect weather conditions, the Burbank All-City Middle Schools Track and Field Meet at Burbank High yielded 15 records on Saturday, as John Muir proved dominant once again over David Starr Jordan and Luther Burbank.

After combining all the points from the boys and girls events for 6th, 7th and 8th grades, John Muir tallied 589 points, Luther Burbank finished with 401, and David Starr Jordan had 240.

Muir claimed five of the six divisions en route to its 11th city championship over the last 12 years. It was Muir’s seventh consecutive title.

“We are very proud of all our athletes at Muir. All of the kids worked so hard for the past couple of months, and I know that all of them are extremely excited to have been successful in the All-City Meet,” said Doug Nicol, physical education teacher at John Muir. “We take a lot of pride in the meet, and to come away with such great performances is incredible. It is always fun to see the stars of tomorrow compete against each other, and I think all three schools should be proud of their teams. It was a fun day.”

“I thought it was a great meet,” added event coordinator Branko Sevic. “I think the kids had a good time, and I think the parents had a good time watching. I’d also like to thank the Muir P.E. staff for all their help.”

In the eighth grade boys’ division, Muir placed first with 127 points, followed by Luther with 43 and Jordan 33.

Davion Green of Muir tied the meet record in the 100 meter dash in a blazing time of 12.50, and also placed first in the 200 meters (25.7) and high jump (5-3).

Luther’s Preston Hernandez was first in the 70 meter hurdles (10.30), the 400m (57.60) and long jump (17-9) and second in the 100m and pole vault. Quite a day for the talented eighth grader.

“I’m really tired,” said Hernandez after the 400m victory. “I didn’t want to sprint in the beginning, but I did want to sprint down the stretch.”

Sammy Duran of Jordan established a new meet record in the 1,600 with a clocking of 5:20.

Muir was first with 107 points in the eighth grade girls’ division, Luther was next with 62 and Jordan had 33.

Haleigh Cusumano of Muir broke the mark in the 200 (29.0), took first in the 70 hurdles (11.50) and was part of the team that smashed the record in the 4 x 100 meter relay (55.30).

Jordan’s Izzy Funes shattered the standard in the long jump (15-3), and finished first in the 400 (66.10). Kira Borchard of Muir eclipsed the record in the 1,600 (5:51), was on the record-setting squad in the 4 x 400 relay (4:42), while Emma Bartram of Jordan took first in the 100 meters.

“I was trying not to be nervous,” said Bartram, who finished in a time of 14.20. “But I was a little nervous. I want to continue running in high school and hopefully get a track scholarship.”

In the seventh grade boys’ division, Luther Burbank took first with 111 points, Muir had 62 and Jordan 33.

Julian Read broke the record in the high jump (5-2 1/4), and took first in the long jump (15-6), while Jacob Calderon won the 100 (13.6), the 60 (8.30), and was part of the record-breaking 4 x 400 relay team (4:17). Alex Hirsch set a new mark in the 1,600 (5:11).

Muir picked up 99 points in the seventh grade girls’ division, Luther took second with 69 and Jordan tallied 38.

Hali King broke the record in the 800 (2:45), and placed first in the 400 (70.40), while Emily Virtue now holds the record in the 1,600 (5:42), and Savannah Merica set the mark in the shot put (31-4).

Erin Lashkari was first in the 60 (9.30) and the 100 (15.40), while Chloe Tilton won the 70 hurdles (12.0) and long jump (12-3).

“I play softball, soccer and volleyball,” Lashkari said. “I ran once in school and it was fun.”

Muir finished with 111 points in the sixth grade boys’ division, Jordan followed with 58 and Luther garnered 37.

Chance VanHook established a record in the high jump (4-10 1/4) and long jump (14-8), and placed first in the 70 hurdles (11.50).

Joshua Johnson won the 100 (13.60) and was on the winning 4 x 100 team, while Nick Glover captured the 1,600 in a time of 5.50.

Muir took the sixth grade girls’ division with 83 points, Luther had 79 and Jordan 45.

Jada Martinez-Reese broke the mark in the 70 hurdles (12.0), took the 100 in 14.60 and was on the winning 4 x 100 relay team.

Below are the past champions, photo gallery and results from each division for boys and girls-

All-Time All-City Middle School Champions:

Muir – 1969, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Luther – 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1982, 2006

Jordan – 1972, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1985

Note- The meet was run in the 1960’s and no results were found prior to 1969. The meet was not run from 1986 – 2001, missing results for several other years.

(Photo Gallery below)

8th Grade Boys Results–

8th Grade Girls Results–

7th Grade Boys Results–

7th Grade Girls Results–

6th Grade Boys Results–

6th Grade Girls Results–