The conditions were certainly not the norm for the Pacific League track and field finals at Arcadia High.
Rain caused a wet track. In the end, some felt lucky to advance to the CIF Southern Section preliminaries still at full strength. Burbank and Burroughs highs both had plenty of competitors move on.
“In hot weather you have to watch for blisters. In cold weather you have to take longer to warm up otherwise you might tear a hamstring,’’ said Burbank’s Josh Cantong, won the league title in the 400 meters and was part of Burbank’s winning 4 x 400 meter relay team. “You have to be conscious of warmup and recovery.”
Burbank started off by winning the 4 x 100 as the team of Martin Swan, Noah Powell, Joey Miller and Byron Hopson won in a hand-timed 42.9 seconds.
Burroughs’ Jagdeep Chahal qualified for CIF after finishing second in the boys’ 1,600 behind Arcadia’s Phillip Rocha, who is one of the best in the nation. The sophomore finished in 4:28.0.
Burroughs sophomore Emily Virtue qualified for CIF in the girls’ 1,600 after finishing third in 5:13.0.
Burbank’s Juliana La France advanced in the 100 meter hurdles (2nd, 15.6).
Swan may have turned in Burbank’s best mark in the 110 high hurdles, winning in 14.3. Burroughs Neron Palmer also advanced, taking third (15.2).
In the girls’ 400 Burbank’s Haleigh Cusumano took second (58.7) to advance. She broke the school record in the event in the preliminaries by running 57.92.
The boys’ 400 saw Cantong win in 49.0, followed by Burroughs Niko Guerrero (49.3) and teammate Sammy Duran (51.2). All three extended their season.
Burroughs sophomore Jacob Calderon advanced in the 800, finishing third (1:56.5).
Burbank’s Kira Bochard won the girls’ 300 hurdles (46.4) to advance.
Swan advanced by winning the 300 hurdles (40.3).
Burroughs Guerrero won the 200 (22.1), followed by Burbank’s Miller (22.2) to both advance.
Burroughs Timothy Wells (2nd, 9:32.7) and Justin Villagran (3rd, 9:35.6) both advanced in the 3,200.
Burbank and Burroughs both advanced in the boys’ 4 x 400 relay.
The Bulldogs team of Swan, Miller, Noah Powell and Cantong won in 3:22.4.
Burroughs team of Kevin Alpizar, Calderon, Duran and Guerrero finished second in 3:25.9.
The field events were conducted Thursday in light of the expected rain on Friday.
Burroughs swept the top three spots in the pole vault, with all three advancing to CIF competition.
Sophomore Christian Valles won with a best of 12 feet, 9 inches. Senior Ben Mathov (12-3) and junior Daniel Han (12-3) followed.
Burroughs Sarah Prystupa won the girls’ pole vault for a fourth consecutive year (11-3).
Burbank’s La France won the girls’ long jump (16-9 ¼). She took second in the triple jump (35-0).
Powell won the boys’ long jump (20-10 ½) and the triple jump (45-5).
Davit Papoyan (42-10) finished second, followed by Burroughs Neron Palmer (42-3). Both advanced to CIF competition.
Burroughs Nadime Younan won the girls’ discus (109-7).
Burroughs Johnny Sahagun won the boys’ discus (144-8), followed by Burbank’s Mitchell Aslo (144-4).
