Ending a record setting year
TRACK AND FIELD: Although the Diamond Bar track and field team did not finish in one of the top spots, many individuals set records and qualified for league.
May 18, 2016
With the Diamond Bar High School varsity track and field season coming to a close, the Brahmas are finishing strong, having set six new school records and 33 league finals qualifications.
“All the students individually excelled. We are not one of the best teams but all our students beat their personal records and that’s what success means,” head coach Sally Jarvis said.
Seniors Annabelle Cheng, Sophia Arnold, and Papa Midley, and juniors Dylan Kinney, Paul Abdo, and Ahmad Abu Nasra set school records for multiple events. Cheng broke the previous record of 800 meters at the Palomares League Finals with a time of 2:22.46 minutes, while Arnold set the new record of the 60 meter dash at 8.41 seconds.
Meanwhile, Midley, Kinney, Abdo, and Nasra broke the previous record for the 4×400 relay with a time of 3:34.12 minutes as a team. In addition, Midley, Kinney, and Abdo each set records of their own: 300 meters at 37.99 seconds, 600 meters at 89.70 seconds, and 1600 meters at 4:35.41 minutes respectively.
At the league finals, 15 Brahmas placed out of the 33 who qualified by finishing in the top five for their individual events. Arnold and senior Ryan Gan placed third and fifth, respectively, in the 100 meters sprint. Cheng placed fifth in the 800 meters and junior Justin Ofori placed third in the 300 meter hurdles.
The boys relay team placed fourth in the 4×100 relay and fifth in the 4×400 relay, while girls relay team placed fifth in the 4×100 relay and fourth in the4x400 relay. Senior Nicholas Naverrete and sophomore Michael Blazek placed second and third in shot put and freshman Paula Williams placed fourth in the high jump. Seniors Christopher Geere and Eric Chen placed fourth and fifth in pole vault while Ripley and junior Chase Langi placed second and fourth in long jump.
“It’s good to know that you have kids accomplish their goals throughout the season, especially those who mark and place in finals and qualify to go to CIF Prelims. It’s good to see the success and hardwork pay off,” head coach Joseph Beaudion said.
Brahmas Arnold and Ripley qualified to compete in the CIF-SS Division 1 Prelims last Saturday. Unfortunately, Arnold sustained a turf toe and right hamstring injury which prevented her from competing in the Prelims while Ripley failed to jump before a regulation line resulting in the cancellation of his scores.