BURBANK — The area saw its share of fine performances in track and field last season.
Along with their share of individual league championships, a group of local athletes was also able to qualify for the CIF Southern Section preliminaries.
However, only one competitor — Sadee Martinez of Burroughs — was able to advance to state competition, as she qualified in the girls’ 1,600 meter.
With their share of accomplished athletes, the local schools could again send a contingent to the CIF Southern Section preliminaries. Some might even be able to advance to the finals.
Here is a look at how the teams are shaping up:
BURROUGHS
Martinez returns for her senior year as the most decorated female distance runner in city history.
Along with qualifying for the state meet in cross-country for two consecutive years, she also made it to the elite meet in track and field.
The All-Area Female Athlete of the Year progressed through the season and qualified for the 89th CIF-State Track and Field Meet in Sacramento in the 1,600. She also set a school record and a personal-best time of 4 minutes, 58.82 at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet.
Burroughs, which finished second in 2007 in boys’ and girls’ competition, should have depth this season.
On the girls’ side, juniors Taryn Campos, Emely Garcia and seniors Jackie Miller and Nicole Molin will compete in the sprints, while sophomores Lauren Andrade and Monique Martinez, along with Sadee Martinez, will handle the distance events.
Junior Kim Andersen, senior Veronica Eyo and sophomore Aspen Morrison will be the hurdlers and senior Sydney Dunivant should score her share of points in the jumping and throwing events.
Four freshmen who could make impacts are Shannon Kermah, Daniela Salinas, Justice Shank and Paris Vaughn.
“We are asking the kids to go out and perform to the best of their ability, and we are excited to see where that takes us this year,” Burroughs Coach John Peebles said.
On the boys’ side, juniors Charles Barrett, Danny Cruz and Chris Morris will be the sprinters and senior Jonathan Alpizar, juniors Dustin Blankenship and Western Nelson and sophomore Andres Carrasco will be the distance runners.
