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CV's Bejaran, Brar finish in top six at Divisionals
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Central Valley High School's Marc Bejaran and Jasveen Brar set personal records at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III Track and Field Championships on Thursday at Modesto Junior College.

"I can't complain," Hawks head coach Mike Reynolds said. "That's what we hoped for."

Bejaran and Brar both qualified for this week's Masters meet thanks to their top-six performances.

Marc, a first-year competitor, cleared a personal-best 6 feet, 4 inches on his way to a second-place finish in the high jump.

"I never would have guessed that I would have got that," Bejaran said. "I just joined the team to hang out with my friends (Ross Henry and Trevor Mew)."

"That's just incredible," Reynolds said while talking about his standout senior's sudden success.

Bejaran had solid practices leading up to last week's competition.

"He cleared 5-8, 5-10 and 6-0 clean," Reynolds said. "Mentally, he was ready to go."

At Divisionals, Marc appeared relaxed while clearing 5-8, 5-10 and 6-0 on his first attempts.

Bejaran met the at-large qualifying mark for Masters when he soared 6-2 on his second try.

He cleared 6-4 on his second attempt.

Marc missed all three attempts at 6-6.

"I had butterflies," Bejaran said. "After I cleared the first height, I focused in and did what I had to do. I got my goal."

Bejaran finished third at the Valley Oak League finals (6-3) and sixth at the MJC Invitational (5-8).

"Any time there's a competition, he's right there ready to go," Reynolds said.

Marc plans to continue his track and field career at Modesto Junior College.

"I would have loved to have him for more than one season," Reynolds said. "He has so much more potential."

Bejaran exceeded his own expectations.

"It's kind of surprising," he said. "When I first came in, I had no form."

Brar advanced to the Masters in the 300-meter hurdles for the second straight season. The junior finished in sixth place (48.49).

"The same thing happened last year," Reynolds said. "She PRs every week. That's what it takes to move on."

Jasveen held off Livingston's Karina Casares, Placer's Chelsea Heaton and Oakdale's Sara Aguayo at the end.

"I'm so mad," Brar said. "If I had my steps down right, I would have done better."

Jasveen also finished 13th in the triple jump with a 32-31/4 effort. She just started competing in the event several weeks ago.

"I tried my best," Jasveen said. "I'm really looking forward to next year."

Brar soared 35 feet on her first attempt, but the mark didn't count after the official ruled that she scratched.

"My coaches said I didn't," Brar said. "That's the worst feeling knowing I came that close."

Seeded 15th, sophomore Adriana Mendez placed 11th in a field of 21 in the 1,600. She completed the mile race in 5 minutes, 51.53 seconds.

"I was trying to PR but I didn't," Mendez said. "I was pretty nervous. I'm going to do better next year."

Adriana said she would have had a faster time had she competed in the proper footwear. Mendez got called to the start line while warming up in her Asics.

"I didn't have time to change," said Adriana, who usually wears spikes. "My shoes were so heavy."

Bejaran and Brar will represent Central Valley High School this week at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet. The competition will be held on Thursday and Friday at Sacramento City College's Hughes Stadium.

"It will be fun," Marc said. "I don't expect to place there. My goal is to do the best I could."