By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Cougars Battle Bruins, Travel To Track, Field Invitational
Farley Hurdles.jpg
Freshman Rachel Farley earned a second place finish in the 100 meter hurdles in a Trans-Valley League clash with Riverbank on April 10. Teammate Katie Avila took third. Marg Jackson/The Times
Granis HJ.jpg
Escalon’s Chase Granis took first place in the high jump, clearing 5’6” on April 10 in a meet at Riverbank. He was also first in the long jump event on the day. Marg Jackson/The Times

On Saturday, April 12 a small group representing the Cougar Track and Field Team traveled to Angels Camp to compete at the 44th annual Hal Clements/Bret Harte Invitational. It was big day for senior Zach Pickett, who took first in the 400m, breaking a 38-year-old meet record and posting his personal best time of 50.03 seconds.

“Zach went out, took the lead early and finished strong. He’s been anxious to break 50 seconds and is getting closer to achieving that goal as the season moves into its final weeks of competition,” said head coach Carrie Nash.

Pickett also brought home the bronze in the high jump, jumping 5’6” and anchored the 4X400m relay, the team (Nash, Lopez, Valeriano, Pickett) earned a third place medal for their efforts. Junior Juan Lopez ran his season best of 2:05.53 in the 800m, good enough for an overall third place finish.

Action in the Trans-Valley League on Wednesday, April 10 the Cougars competed at Riverbank. The boys team beat Riverbank 96-59 and the girls were defeated 104-27.

“The strong winds made it a bit more difficult to post fast times in the longer running events and created a challenge in the high jump because the bar kept blowing off,” noted Nash.

The boys had a strong showing in the sprints sweeping first, second and third places in the 100m, 200m and 400m. They also swept the high jump and nearly captured all places in the long jump. Senior Chase Granis jumped a personal best of 5’6” in the high jump, 20’3.25” in the long jump (winning both events) and was a member of the winning 4X100m relay team (Granis, Leal, Martinez and Trejo).

In the girls’ division, junior Alex Titsworth competed well, she placed first in the 400m and second in the 200m, junior Alejandra Jimenez was second in the 800m and third in the 1600m. Freshman Rachel Farley was second in the 100m hurdles and sophomore Katie Avila took third, Farley also placed third in the high jump. Sophomore Kalynn Cavanaugh was first in the long jump and second in the high jump. Placing third in the long jump was Alexis Barron.

 

Boys Results: 100m 1st Kaidence Trejo (11.56), 2nd Chase Granis (12.22), 3rd Isaias Martinez (12.40); 200m 1st Zach Pickett ( 23.47), 2nd Garrett Nash (25.51), 3rd Christopher Borrego (25.67); 400m 1st Zach Pickett (52.61), 2nd Garrett Nash (56.93), 3rd Christopher Borrego (58.33); 800m 1st Juan Lopez (2:14.12); 1600m 2nd Juan Lopez (5:11.27), 3rd Moises Grajeda (5:11.83); 4x100m relay 1st (Granis, Leal, Martinez, Trejo); 4x400m relay 1st (Nash, Jimenez, Lopez, Pickett); Shot Put 2nd Nathan Luis (37’11”), 3rd Cameron Loureiro (33’5”); Discus 3rd Mitch Cole (92’); High Jump 1st Chase Granis (5’6”), 2nd Alex Mendoza (5’4”), 3rd Zach Pickett (5’2”); Pole Vault 1st Max Teague (8’0”); Long Jump 1st Chase Granis (20’3.25”), 2nd Alex Jimenez (18’1”).

 

Girls Results: 200m 2nd Alex Titsworth (30.16); 400m 1st Alex Titsworth (1:08.73); 800m 2nd Alejandra Jimenez (3:10.61); 1600m 3rd Alejandra Jimenez (709.81); 100m hurdles 2nd Rachel Farley (20.79), 3rd Katie Avila (20.83); High Jump 2nd Kalynn Cavanaugh 4’8”, 3rd Rachel Farley (4’2”); Long Jump 1st Kalynn Cavanaugh (15’3”), 3rd Alexis Barron (13’3.5”).