Escalon’s Track and Field team competed at Hilmar on Wednesday, April 26. The girls came away with another win, giving them a 3-2 league record.

“The ladies really worked hard and finished strong in every running event. We had multiple first and seconds in a majority of the races on the track. It also didn’t hurt that we dominated both the 4X100 and 4X400 meter relays and had good finishes in the shot put, discus and high jump,” said Head Coach Carrie Nash. “The boys couldn’t defeat the Yellowjackets but our boys had solid performances on the track, in the long, triple and high jumps.”

On Saturday the Cougars traveled to Pacific Grove for the annual Rotary Invitational. The ideal 70-degree weather and great facility helped play a role in the teams’ overall success.

A highlight of the meet came when the varsity girls 4x400 meter relay set a new school record. The team, Jackie Lau, Yajaira Salinas, Gabby Rigg and Sidney Lima had been chasing the previous record of 4:12, set over a decade ago. The girls finished first posting a time of 4:10, crushing the previous record.

“I knew the girls were feeling it; all the pieces fell into place and each one of them raced tough. I’m really proud of their efforts,” added Nash. “Across the board the 60-plus student athletes performed well. The top five finishers in each event earned a medal. We came home with over 40 medals and a lot of the kids had personal bests.”

Earning personal records in their events were: Thaddeous Stern (2nd) 100 and 200 meters, Xavier Chavez (2nd) 400 meters, Emiliano Ramirez (2nd and 6th) 800 and 1600 meters, Sidney Lima (4th) 100 meters, Annie Wyrick (2nd) 100 meter hurdles, Gabby Rigg (1st), Ashley Carreira (5th) and Gabby Avalos (6th) 400 meters, Yajaira Salinas (1st) 800 meters, varsity girls 4X100 (1st) and Shelby McCune (1st) discus and (7th) shot put.

After the meet the coaches, athletes and parents made the one mile journey to the beach to enjoy pizza by the ocean and went shopping at the Monterey Wharf. Next up for the Cougars is a meet on Wednesday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m. at Riverbank High School.