Thursday’s Mother Lode League/Trans-Valley League competition hosted at Amador saw plenty of good performances turned in by Escalon track and field athletes.
“It gave us a chance to see the other schools in our league,” coach Roger Beeman said of one of the benefits the meet provides, in addition to his squad getting in a good workout. “It’s the closest thing to a small school section (meet) that we have.”
Official results were not available at press time for all the events, but Beeman said he was pleased with many of his athletes, especially first year participants that are already making some noise.
“Farley Moore impresses every time out and she pushes her teammates,” said Beeman. “Sam Shipley is a first year track and field member as a senior and she will be quite a talent for us, she took second in high jump.”
She also ran the 100 meter hurdles, Beeman said, and made it through 99 ½ meters before “she met the track” but vowed she would return and make it cleanly over all the hurdles. Shipley also ran in the 4-by-400 relay.
Sophomores Abby Liv and Leone Rivers both had a busy, successful day.
“We put them in different events and they just keep excelling,” Beeman said.
Liv stood out in the long jump and triple jump, Rivers in the pole vault and sprints, in addition to the 300 meter hurdles.
“The girls are doing well,” Beeman said. “We’re a little short on numbers, so we don’t have the depth but we have strength in every event.”
For the boys, roughly half the team is freshmen and they showed well, taking first in four field events, including the jumps and vault. Freshmen also won a pair of relays and Escalon was one of the youngest boys teams there and “did well in everything they did,” Beeman noted.
He said Riverbank and Ripon also are strong, while Orestimba is still looking to put the final touches on its squad, with a new coach taking over.
“The league is going to be good,” predicted Beeman, “but we’re right there with everybody else.”
The team will be on the road for a league meet Thursday at Hilmar.
