By Brian Purcell
Here is a preview of the SCL track finals on Saturday at Petaluma HS
(prelims 9:00 and finals 11:45):
Rules on Scoring: Each event has top 6 performers score (10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1).
Any athlete can compete in no more than 4 events, including relays.
Rules on SCL team championship: SCL team champion (banner winner) is
determined by combining league meet results with finals results. Each team
is given a point for every league meet (5-1 is 5 points). At SCL finals,
first place team gets 3 points, 2nd gets 2 points, and 3rd get 1 point. The
team with the most points is SCL champs. If there is a tie, then the
championship is shared.
Rules on NCS-Redwood Empire qualifying: In SCL, top 4 performers in each
event qualify for next week’s NCS meet, which will be held at Crescent City
(Del Norte County).
Boys: El Molino 6-0, Casa Grande 5-1, Sonoma 4-2, Analy 3-3, Petaluma 2-4,
Healdsburg 1-5, Windsor 0-6
El Molino is the heavy favorite to win their first boy’s championship in ANY
sport since 1997 (Track boys ’97 was their last boys banner). But Casa is
looking to do anything they can to get an upset and get a share of the
championship.
Individually, Ruben Mora-Roman (Analy, SR) will be attempting a distance
triple win in the 1600, 800, and 3200. In the sprints, Matt McHugh (El
Molino, SR) is the favorite in the 100 and 200 as well as the anchor of the
400 Relay (he is also anchor of the 2nd seeded 1600 relay team). In the
throws, Dane Krogstad (El Molino, SR) is the heavy favorite in the Discus
and 2nd in the Shot Put (he is also on both relay teams). In the hurdles,
Dan Noel (Casa Grande, SR) is the favorite in both the 110 hurdles and 300
hurdles.
Girls: Sonoma 6-0, Analy 5-1, Casa Grande 4-2, Healdsburg 3-3, Petaluma 2-4,
El Molino 1-5, Windsor 0-6
Even though Sonoma went undefeated in league meets, both Analy and Casa
Grande have a shot at winning SCL finals. Casa Grande is especially
dangerous and could surprise everyone. Sonoma has some injury problems and
will have to step it up to beat back the competition.
Individually, Ashton LeSieur (Casa Grande, SO) is entered as favorite in the
1600, 400, and 800. She is also entered in the 3200 and the 1600 relay, so
she will have to drop one event (4 max) and might decide to drop more if her
back is not fealing well (she is dealing with back pains). In the sprints,
it will be a tough battle between Corie Stranzl (Casa Grande, JR) and
newcomer Tracy Webster (Analy, FR) in the 100. Corie is also the favorite
in the 200, and Tracy is anchor of the #1 seeded 400 relay team. In the
Hurdles, Alise Fix (Casa Grande, JR) is the favorite in both the 100 hurdles
and 300 hurdles. In the throws, Melissa Van Paris (Sonoma, JR) is the heavy
favorite in both the Shot Put and Discus. In the jumps, Carrie MacDonough
(Casa Grande, JR) is the favorite in the Long Jump as well as a member of
the #1 seeded 1600 relay team.
One note of consern is nationally ranked high jumper Mindi Wiley (Sonoma,
FR) who is dealing with an injury that may keep her out of competing at
league finals. She might request a hardship to be able to move on to
NCS-Redwood Empire meet the next week.