The Western State Conference track finals were held at Memorial Stadium on April 28 as members of the men’s and women’s track and field team were sent to the Southern California Championship pre-liminaries. The top six placers are the ones who advance. The preliminaries were held on the May 5 at University California, San Diego and the finals will take place at the same location on May 12.
The women’s team won the conference title with a score of 131 and the men came in third with 83 points.
LaShay Bagsby advanced in the shot put, took second in the javelin, placed fourth in the triple jump and placed first in the high jump with her best jump of 5 feet 6 inches.
“I’m trying to set myself to make it to 5-8,” said Bagsby, but then expressed that her main goal is 5-11 and that she is going to have to work her way up there. To pass the qualification round, Bagsby was to jump a 5-2 and did so as moved on to the Southern California Finals in three of her events, which were the javelin, the high jump and the shot put.
Anikia Jackson and Shalisa Harris advanced to the preliminaries as well in the high jump, both clearing 4-10.
Jackson qualified for five events and recently placed first in the Southern California heptathalon competition. “It’s great,” said Jackson, “my coach told me today that my score for the heptathalon was fifth in the nation.”
Despite falling short on the last hurdle in the 100 meters, she automatically qualified with her fifth place position in the state for hurdles and advanced to the finals. Jackson also qualified for the finals in San Diego in the 400 hurdles and the javelin.
Shawna Roundtree placed second in the 1,500 as well as Clarissa Rivera placing fifth at the WSC Championships. Tove Berg of Glendale caught Roundtree as the race was coming to an end. “I felt her coming up on me,” said Roundtree, “that’s why I kept pulling myself up. I kept doing that on all the laps but then right here (towards the finish line) she caught me.” Both girls advanced in the preliminaries and into the finals.
Melissa Noonchester set a school record in pole vaulting at the meet with a leap of 11-1 and a second place.
Andrea Jackson won the 400 meter dash with a time of 1:00.09 seconds. She started off in the fifth lane and by halfway through the race she had developed a great lead and placed first; Madeline Fabri advanced in that same race.
Tyrece Lee placed second for the men in the long jump with a length of 22-7.50 in the WSC and advanced into the finals in San Diego. In the 400 meter dash for the men, Carrington Jones placed fourth with a time of 49.49 and Attrail Snipes placed fifth with a time of 49.55.
“I felt I could have done a lot better,” said Jones, “I had it in my head to just get the top six. In the next six weeks I am going to try and make up that ground.”
Jones hopes to improve his time to 48 seconds flat.
Kamesha Bowens did not compete in the WSC finals due to an injury during the week prior, but she was automatically qualified to advance and compete in the triple jump and long jump. She had the best jumps in both events leading up to the WSC meet with 17 feet 7 inches in the long jump and 38 feet 2.5 in the triple jump.
“I twisted (the ankle) going down some stairs at the gym after dance practice,” said Bowens.
She had been partaking in extensive rehab that included a mixture of ice and heat as well as constantly working her ankle to gather the necessary strength for the upcoming pre-liminaries. She said she was going to compete no matter what the circumstances may bring.
“If I can’t jump on my left, I will be able to jump on my right,” said Bowens. “All I have to do is one good jump and save my leg for the next week.” Bowens jumped in the pre-liminaries and advanced to the finals.