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Strong Individual Efforts But EHS Falls To Hughson
Track And Field
granis
Leaping his way to a third place finish in the long jump against Hughson was freshman Chase Granis, competing for the Cougars at the varsity level in the April 20 meet. Marg Jackson/The Times

In a classic case of ‘no rest for the weary,’ the Cougars were running, jumping and throwing in a couple of different locations.

“It was a busy week for the Escalon track teams,” agreed head coach Roger Beeman.

On Wednesday, April 20 all four teams traveled to Hughson for a Trans-Valley League dual meet. The varsity boys lost 83-53, and the varsity girls fell 96-40.

“We got them both last year,” commented Coach Beeman, “but they were ready for us this time.”

Scoring for the boys were Rex Robbins (1st 100m, 3rd 200m), Josh Teske (2nd 100m), Kyle Jimenez (1st 400m), Luga Mendoza (3rd 400m, 2nd 800m), Eddy Calderon (3rd 1600m and 3200m), Fernando Martinez Barba (2nd 110HH, 3rd 300IH), David Escove (1st SP, 2nd DT), Garrett Nebe (2nd HJ), Ryan Cavanaugh (3rd DT), Blake Smith (2nd PV), Sam Thomson (3rd PV), Chase Granis (3rd LJ), and Chris Brunetti (1st TJ).

Scoring for the girls were Jackie Lau (1st 100m, 1st 200m), Ashley Carreira (2nd 200m), Gabby Rigg (2nd 400m), Farley Moore (3rd 400m), Gabby Avalos (3rd 800m), Yajaira Salinas (2nd 1600m), Madisyn Widmer (3rd 3200m), Sidney Lima (2nd 100H and 300H), Kimi Boss (2nd PV), Mary Valencia (2nd LJ & TJ), Jessikka Gonzales (3rd HJ), and Alexia Johnson (2nd HJ).

“We’ve been doing very well. The TVL has some very talented athletes, and it’s very challenging to even place at the dual meets,” said Beeman. “Our top athletes are as good or better than anyone else, but now the competition is getting deeper. And, it’s really good to see some of our younger and newer kids stepping up and contributing.”

On Saturday, the track teams joined 15 other schools for an invitational at Bret Harte High School. The frosh-soph boys placed fourth overall, and the frosh-soph girls took third as a team.

“Our younger kids compete as varsity in the dual meets, but they get to compete at their own level for the invitationals,” explained Coach Beeman. “We have several athletes who can score at both levels.”

Jackie Lau, who has been a sprinting sensation all season, took the gold medal in both the 100m (13.46) and the 200m (29.27). Annie Wyrick (100m Hurdles, 18.77) also won individual gold. The 4x400m Relay team of Lau, Wyrick, Sidney Lima, and Jessikka Gonzales took first as well.

Also medaling (top four finishers) for the girls were Madisyn Widmer (2nd 1600m and 3200m), Lima (2nd 100m Hurdles and 300m Hurdles), Gonzales (4th Triple Jump), and Lexi Johnson (4th High Jump). The 4x100m Relay team of Wyrick, Lima, Gonzales, and Lau won the silver medal.

Rex Robbins continued to impress for the boys’ team. He took third in both the 100m (11.76) and the 200m (24.22). Gold medalists were Josh Teske (Pole Vault, 10’0) and Chris Brunetti (Triple Jump 38’10.5). Brunetti also added a third in the Long Jump, and Teske added a fourth in the 100m.

Other medalists included Fernando Martinez Barba (3rd 110m Hurdles and 4th 300m Hurdles), and Zach Pickett (4th 800m and High Jump.) Both frosh-soph relay teams won silver medals. The 4x100m team of Robbins, Teske, Brunetti, and Chase Granis ran 46.97, and the 4x400m team of Robbins, Thaddeus Stern, Pickett, and Brunetti ran 3:51.62.

“We’re at Ripon on Wednesday and Pacific Grove on Saturday. Next week is the TVL Frosh-Soph Championship meet at Ripon on Monday and our last dual meet at Hilmar on Wednesday,” Beeman noted. “Both varsity teams are 2-2 in league right now.”