Four Cougars took part in the Track and Field Division IV-V Sac Joaquin Section trials and finals, but none were able to get the marks needed to continue on to the Masters competition.
"Track is a vicious sport," Escalon head coach Roger Beeman said, with one bad day, jump or throw often sealing your fate. The trials and finals were perhaps toughest on reigning Trans-Valley League champion pole vaulter Chaz Welborn, as the senior was favored to win a Section title as well.
"It was a real heartbreak scenario," Beeman explained. "He had been dealing with a shoulder injury. All he needed to do was come in at 13, well within his range, but he missed on all three of his attempts."
That ended the senior's high school career but he set a new school record, 13-9, this season and also grabbed a TVL championship.
"Unless you're the undefeated champion, your day is going to end in disappointment because in pole vault, you keep going until you don't clear the bar," said Beeman. "Chaz handled it (disappointment) well, and next year he'll be competing at the collegiate level, he will move on to do better things. He has a lot to be proud of."
Senior Ethan Turner was on hand to compete in the high hurdles and ran nearly an 18 flat, said Beeman, a little off his best time this year.
"He took 12th overall," Beeman said. "He ran well, did a great job."
For junior Katie Cavanaugh, her best effort in the shot put was very good at the Modesto Junior College competition, but wasn't quite strong enough to move her on to the next level.
"She had her season best, threw a 31-1, which was a foot and a half better than any throw this year," Beeman explained. "We were pretty happy with that, she finished 12th."
Matt Silveira, a junior, was able to go as an alternate and found himself competing in the shot put, after taking fourth place in the league meet.
"He got his chance to compete and we were pleased with that," said the coach. "He was a couple feet off his best throw of the year but he will also be back next season."
"Track is a vicious sport," Escalon head coach Roger Beeman said, with one bad day, jump or throw often sealing your fate. The trials and finals were perhaps toughest on reigning Trans-Valley League champion pole vaulter Chaz Welborn, as the senior was favored to win a Section title as well.
"It was a real heartbreak scenario," Beeman explained. "He had been dealing with a shoulder injury. All he needed to do was come in at 13, well within his range, but he missed on all three of his attempts."
That ended the senior's high school career but he set a new school record, 13-9, this season and also grabbed a TVL championship.
"Unless you're the undefeated champion, your day is going to end in disappointment because in pole vault, you keep going until you don't clear the bar," said Beeman. "Chaz handled it (disappointment) well, and next year he'll be competing at the collegiate level, he will move on to do better things. He has a lot to be proud of."
Senior Ethan Turner was on hand to compete in the high hurdles and ran nearly an 18 flat, said Beeman, a little off his best time this year.
"He took 12th overall," Beeman said. "He ran well, did a great job."
For junior Katie Cavanaugh, her best effort in the shot put was very good at the Modesto Junior College competition, but wasn't quite strong enough to move her on to the next level.
"She had her season best, threw a 31-1, which was a foot and a half better than any throw this year," Beeman explained. "We were pretty happy with that, she finished 12th."
Matt Silveira, a junior, was able to go as an alternate and found himself competing in the shot put, after taking fourth place in the league meet.
"He got his chance to compete and we were pleased with that," said the coach. "He was a couple feet off his best throw of the year but he will also be back next season."
