Action on Thursday, May 11 saw the Escalon Cougar Track and Field team compete in the Trans-Valley League finals in Ripon. The girls team finished third and the boys were fourth.

The top three athletes in each event qualify to compete at the Section meet hosted at CSU Stanislaus May 16 and 18. For senior Yajaira Salinas, it was not just a day for qualifying to the next level; it was also a day for breaking records.

“Her first place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 59.62 set a new EHS school record and her first place time of 2:19.58 in the 800 meters set a new TVL Championships record,” said Head Coach Carries Nash. “Yajaira has been consistently running and competing well all season. She works hard and we are very proud of her successes.”

Also finishing first in their events were junior Rex Robbins (200m), the girls 4x400m team (Lau, Rigg, Lima, and Salinas), junior Shelby McCune (discus) and junior Jessikka Gonzalez (high jump). Other qualifiers included freshman Juan Lopez (1600m - second, 3200m -third), junior Christian Brunetti (long jump - third and triple jump - second), junior Sidney Lima (300m hurdles - third) senior Ashleigh Strand (shot put - second) and the girls 4X100 team (Lau, Rigg, Lima, and Titsworth - third).

“It’s exciting to be able to advance 11 athletes and we are looking forward to competing at the Section meet,” said Nash.