Conner Johnson, Marcellus Boykins and Azia Brewster missed Ceres High's senior trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain last week to compete at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Track & Field Championships.
"All three of them made the choice not to go at the beginning of the season," head coach Brett Johnson said. "They didn't' take the easy road. They finished what they started. I really respect that a lot."
Johnson, Boykins and Brewster all fell short of state-meet berths while representing the Bulldogs for the final time.
Conner accomplished one of his goals by setting a personal record in the varsity boys shot put with a toss of 51 feet, 43/4 inches.
Seeded ninth, Johnson finished fifth overall in the event.
He just missed securing a berth to state as the top three individuals advanced.
"I'd love to have a couple more weeks with him," coach Johnson said. "He's peaking at the right time. In the last 12 years, that's the furthest throw we've had by six-and-a-half feet. I'm really happy for him."
Conner earned a football scholarship to Southern Oregon University.
Marcellus concluded his prep career with a solid showing as well.
Boykins soared a personal-best 44 feet, 3 inches en route to an eighth-place finish in the triple jump.
He was seeded 15th.
"He's improved by about two feet since the start of the year," Brett Johnson said. "It all clicked for him. He did awesome."
Marcellus is considering joining the track and field and football teams at McNeese State University in Louisiana.
Azia finished 13th in the varsity girls high jump (4-11).
"I'm happy that I was able to clear the opening height," she said. "But I felt like I could have done better."
She missed three attempts at 5-1.
"They were all really close, especially the last one," Azia said. "It was my best attempt. It was a bummer I didn't get it."
Azia reached out to Sacramento State last week.
"I would like to continue running track and jumping," she said. "I've always loved the sport. I like the whole competition part of it and being challenged. Seeing how good I was in high school, I feel I can be a lot better in college."
