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EHS Track Teams Coming On Strong
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Strong performances from both the girls and the boys lifted Escalon's varsity track teams to victory over Hilmar in Wednesday afternoon Trans-Valley League action.

Hosting the Yellowjackets, Escalon's varsity girls were 85-44 winners, the varsity boys earned a 100-36 decision and the JV boys defeated Hilmar 45-35.

Highlights for the girls included an Escalon sweep in the 100 high hurdles, Katie Baroni first in 17.95, Laura Cosentino second in 19.03 and Amanda Bernasconi third in 21.44.

Amy Bixel was first in discus with a throw of 96-9, second in shotput at 28-9 and Jamie Landry took first place in the pole vault, setting a new school record at 9-0. She also hit her 'pizza mark' set by coach Rick Heflin.

Sam Draper took second in the pole vault at 6-0.

"Our four-by-100 team was first in 57.78," noted Heflin. "Shannon Finley was second in the 400 in 1:18."

In the triple jump, Sandi French was second for Escalon at 27-10, Shannon Finley was third with a jump of 27-8. French was third in the long jump at 13-6.

Escalon also swept the mile run.

"Amanda Moreno was first in 5:59, Marie Beard took second in 6:35 and Mary Courtright was third in 6:36," Heflin said.

The three took top honors in the two-mile, though in a slightly different order, with Moreno first in 12:18, Courtright second at 14:40 and Beard third in 14:46.

"Amanda Nunes won the 100 in 13.5, Lauren Brown took second in 14.22," Heflin said. "In the 300 hurdles Katie Baroni was first in 56.27 and Shannon Finley was second in 1:01."

French was second in the high jump at 3-10, Draper won the 800 in 2:49 followed by teammates Courtright, second in 3:10 and Jessica Ochoa, third in 4:16. Nunes won the 200 in 28.69, Cosentino was third in 38.75.

For the varsity boys, Mike Sawyer was first in the shotput at 42-11 and Kurt Kale took second at 39-1.

Lars Jacobsen was second in the 110 high hurdles in 16.70 while Michael Beeman was third in 18.53.

First in the mile was Marc Backovich, 5:00 and second went to Shane Brookshire, 5:04. Marcus Savage won the 400 in 56.0 and Vynce Bacay took first and broke a pizza mark with a jump of 40-5 in the triple jump. Chris Castledine was second in that event at 39-10.

In the discus, it was Jake Brown taking second for Escalon in 119-3, Kale was third at 103-8.

Bacay won the 100 in 11.01, Savage took the long jump at 19-0 and Castledine was second at 18-2.

In the pole vault, David List hit 9-0 to take first, John Yater and Kyle Courtright tied for second at the same height but with more attempts.

Savage won the high jump at 5-6, Mike Stime was third at 4-10.

In the 300 hurdles, Andrew Arotca picked up a second place finish, 45.0 and Lars Jacobsen was third, 47.0. Randy Huntington won the 800 in 2:18, Chris Diniz was second in 2:33 and Brookshire third in 2:50.

In the 200, Bacay took first in 22.43, Castledine was second in 24.04. Brookshire finished first in the two-mile at 11:32, Ryan Gonsalves was second in 13:22. The boys also won the 4-by-400 event.

Winners for the JV boys included the 4-by-100 relay team in 53.1, Heath Dougherty was a double winner, taking the triple jump at 32-1 and the long jump at 16-4. Andy Schram won the 100 in 12.26 and also claimed the high jump at 5-0. Taylor Hawkins was the winner of the 200, 26.07.

"We took two people to the Meet of Champions," Heflin added of a special Saturday meet in Sacramento.

Making the trip were Marcus Savage and Amanda Moreno.

"Marcus went out at 5-11 in the high jump, it was a tough day for him," Heflin said. "Amanda was third in the two-mile and set a new school record, 10:43. She moves up, she now has the number six ranked time in the state."

The Cougars will host Livingston in TVL competition today, Wednesday, May 5 at 3:30 p.m. and then have the JV Invitational, sponsored by Escalon Rotary, at 1 p.m. on Friday.