Ceres High’s and Central Valley’s girls track and field programs both qualified one individual and one relay team for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division finals.
The top nine placers in all events, excluding the 800, at the May 9 Division-IV trials earned the right to compete for at least one more week.
“This is the part of the year you want to see them move on,” Bulldogs’ leader Paul Smith said. “They did a great job competing. They had fun and did their best. There was no pressure.”
“All the ladies that competed showed heart,” Hawks’ head coach Luis Calderon said. “They exceeded my expectations. They even exceeded their own expectations. They worked so hard to get to the next step.”
Jayden Garcia, Brooke Kiser, Camila Rubio, Genevieve Villasenor, Clarissa Rivera and Alyssa Arbaugh represented the Bulldogs at the Division trials on May 9 at Oakmont High School.
Garcia took fourth in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles.
She set a personal record in the 300 hurdles.
“She’s one of the most versatile athletes in the Valley,” Smith said. “She knows exactly what to do. She wants to win. But she’s quiet about it. She’s humble. Her attitude is amazing.”
Ceres High’s 4x100 relay team of Kiser, Rubio, Villasenor and Garcia set a personal record while taking ninth.
“It was our fourth different 4x100 relay combination,” Smith said. “They had limited reps. They pulled it off.”
Ceres High’s 4x400 relay team of Kiser, Rivera, Arbaugh and Garcia took 10th.
Kiser took 13th in the 200 and 17th in the 100.
Central Valley’s 4x100 relay team of Andrea Tejeda, Airieana Martinez, Sophia Alvarez and Kassandra Torres set a personal record while taking seventh.
“They were focused,” Calderon said. “They left it all on the track. They wanted to get to the next round.”
Karla Sarabia took ninth in the triple jump.
“Other coaches are complimenting her because of the effort she puts in,” Calderon said. “And the love she has for the sport.”
Sarabia currently ranks second in the triple jump in program history.
Jazveen Brar, a 2010 Central Valley grad, holds the school record in the event.
“Karla has what it takes to break that record,” Calderon said. “That’s what keeps her motivated.”
Tejeda set a personal record while taking 11th in the 400.
Martinez took 15th in the 100.
“I’m beyond happy even with the kids that didn’t qualify,” Calderon said. “They represented Central Valley with their effort and grit. A lot of our athletes are getting better because of them (our coaches). Our coaches go above and beyond their practice plans, support and motivation.”
