Gykisha Smith will be remembered as one of Ceres High's greatest female hurdlers.

Azia Brewster performed like a veteran while competing in the high jump during her first season with the Bulldogs' varsity girls track and field team.

A second-year runner, Tomas Rocha improved drastically in the 800 as a member of Ceres High's varsity boys squad.

The Bulldogs' 4x400 relay team of Rocha, Tristan Dray, Judas Chavarin and Kevin Moita posted impressive times this year.

Gykisha, Azia, Tomas, Tristan, Judas and Kevin represented Ceres High at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championships this past week at Elk Grove High School.

Smith placed 10th with a personal-best time of 15.44 seconds in the 100 hurdles during Thursday's trials. The senior shattered 2013 Ceres High grad Bryce Ford's school record.

"Gykisha ran the race of her life," Bulldogs head coach Brett Johnson said. "It really didn't surprise me. I knew she was capable of this. She really believed in herself. She ran with Bryce every day last year. She had a great mentor. At the end of the season, Gykisha was right on her heels."

Brewster cleared 4-11 on her second attempt en route to an eighth-place finish in the high jump during Friday's preliminaries.

"I couldn't be more proud of her," Johnson said. "She's a freshman and she's already a step away from state. She's done so awesome."

Azia missed three attempts at 5-1.

"Her first two attempts were good," Johnson said. "The pressure got to her and she hit the bar with her shoulder on her final attempt."

Brewster tied her personal record.

Rocha was supposed to compete in the 800. The senior was scratched due to miscommunication.

Tomas was disqualified after returning from warming up.
"It's unfortunate," Johnson said. "They (other competitors) were standing by the table when Tomas returned before scratch time. They hadn't left yet.

That's what's confusing. He checked in and thought he was good. He didn't know he had to be back at a certain time. I checked the rules that they gave us. There was nothing. They couldn't give us a better explanation. The guy I talked with was abrupt and rude. It's sad because in the end you're dealing with 16, 17 and 18 year old kids. He had a great shot at qualifying for finals on Friday. I hope he decides to run track at Modesto Junior College."
Dray, Chavarin, Rocha and Moita, Ceres High's 4x400 relay team, took 19th (3:28.41). The Bulldogs' quartet competed as an alternate in place of Ripon.

"It's our second-fastest time of the year," Johnson said. "They ran hard."