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Track Athletes Help Set The Pace At Distance Carnival
MILLARD
Sophomore Nate Millard, shown here during Trans-Valley League action at Ripon, continued his streak of dropping seconds and ran a personal best of 5:08 in the mile during the March 24 Bella Vista Distance Carnival. Photo Contributed

Action on Friday, March 24 saw several members of the Escalon track team travel to the Bella Vista Distance Carnival.

The meet brings in 35 schools and only races the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m distances.

“Because there are so many athletes, it is a great day to race people of a similar time and stretch for that personal record. And that is exactly what the Escalon kids did,” said coach Michael Bower. “Out of 28 chances on the night, the group set 19 personal records and a couple more season best marks.”

Junior Hannah Wampler led the girls with a double PR night of 6:20 in the 1600 and 3:45 in the 800m. Senior Ryan Walker ran 7:19 and 3:29, setting two season bests and recording times with striking distance of her freshman PRs.

Senior Natalia Martinez was a few seconds off her best in the mile, but turned around to run a PR in the 800m finishing in 3:31.

“Junior Destiny Reyes continues to find her groove, running a personal best of 6:56, good for the third fastest girls mile for our team,” Bower said. “In addition, juniors Isabeli Velazquez and Andrea Fuentes Calderon each stepped up to run their first official mile of the year, running 7:00 and 7:20 respectively.”

Sophomore Nate Millard continued his streak of dropping seconds, running a PR of 5:08 in the mile as he continues his pursuit of the sub-5 club.

“Nate would also run 2:17 in the 800m, making an official time after posting a similar mark on one of the legs at TVL relays,” said Bower.

Senior Derek Fragoso had a huge run for his first official high school mile, winning his heat in a time of 5:30. Usually a 400/800 runner, he went on to run his 800 in a PR 2:19.

“While sophomore Daniel Bagadiong and junior Jose Calderon would miss setting PRs in the mile by mere seconds, they did not waste the opportunity of running two events,” Bower added. “Later that night, Daniel would go on to set a PR in the 800 of 2:34, and Jose would shave another few seconds off his 3200m finishing in 11:34 only two days after setting a PR in the event at our league meet with Ripon.”

Having missed his junior season, senior Joshua Churchill returned to his previously best time in the 1600 with a time of 5:40 and is now specializing in the 3200m. So is freshman Theo Harp, who shaved 30 seconds off of his 3200m time, running the race in 14:09.

“This year has been interesting for the distance group. Our group is larger than usual which is awesome, but we also have quite a few new faces and athletes that are new to the sport of running. Combine that newness with the extra rain we have gotten this spring and it has been challenging to build a certain level of consistency with our training,” explained Bower. “That being said, this group of kids have some great attitudes, willing to adapt to any last minute changes. Whether we find ourselves celebrating success or navigating injuries, they come to practice every day ready to work and to learn. I am excited to see how far we can go with our remaining season.”