On Saturday, March 27, a small group of Escalon High track athletes competed at the Andreessen Invitational at Golden Valley High School in Merced.

“Ten Cougar athletes were rewarded for their good off-season work with the opportunity of a highly competitive preseason invitational,” said head coach Roger Beeman.

The group brought home 12 medals, with three golds for meet champions. Christian Brunetti jumped 35’-6.5 to win the frosh/soph boys triple jump; Josh Teske soared 10’ 0” to win the frosh/soph boys’ pole vault; and Jessikka Gonzales won the frosh-soph girls’ high jump.

Other medalists included Alexia Johnson (3rd f/s HJ), Gonzales (2nd TJ), Teske (3rd 100m, 5th 200m), and Brunetti (3rd LJ). Cydney Keener medaled in three events for the varsity girls (3rd HJ, 4th TJ, 5th 100m Hurdles). Also with top 10 finishes were Gonzales and Johnson in the hurdles; Eddy Calderon in the varsity 1600; Gabby Avalos in the varsity 400 and 800; Keener in the long jump; and David Escove in the shot and disc.

The Cougars travel to Oakdale on Thursday, March 3 for their annual practice meet with the Mustangs. It will be the first high school track meet for nearly two-thirds of the young squad. The Cougars will be forced to travel for all meets this year as the school facility has fallen into severe disrepair.