BURBANK HIGH — With the Pacific League preliminaries just three days away, the Burbank High and Burroughs track and field teams wanted to come out of their rivalry meet Tuesday with some momentum.
Although the result wasn’t as close in the boys’ portion of the event, the girls’ portion came down to the wire.
The Indian girls’ 4x400-meter relay team was able to run to a victory in the final event of the day to pull out a 69-67 victory against the rival Bulldogs.
In boys’ action, Burroughs completed the sweep, 78-58.
In the girls’ 4x400 relay, Jennifer Auproux, Daniella Salinas, Kristen Burroughs and Nohely Romero won the race in 4 minutes, 19.43 seconds.
Another key to the Burroughs win was a sweep in the triple jump and the shot put.
In the triple jump, Shannon Kermah won the event with a mark of 34 feet 1/2 , teammate Alicia Seta was second (30-5 3/4 ) and Naomi Zimmermann was third (29-9). In the shot put, Danitza Eyo won the event (27-4) and was followed by Danielle Salinas (27-1) and Zimmermann (24-2).
“Daniella is a kid that can do a lot of different events,” Burroughs Coach John Peebles said. “She hasn’t done the shot put that much, but we knew we could put her in there and she would help us.”
Burbank received a fine effort from sophomore Haley Pirruccello. She won the 300 hurdles (58.80), breaking her own school record, and won the 100 hurdles (16.81) and the 100 (12.91) and teamed up with McKenzie Paul, Gina Levitt and Jackie Flores to take the 4x10 relay (50.89).
Another double individual winner was Paul, who finished first in the 1,600 (5:21.51) and the 3,200 (11:57.97).
On the boys’ side, Burbank senior Greg Dotson put on a fine display. A middle-distance runner, Dotson cruised to wins in the 800 (1:57.07) and the 1,600 (4.25.76). However, he showed he also has some speed by winning the 200 (23.32).
The Bulldogs also received a double win by Leo Rodas, who took the shot put (38-9) and the discus (104-2).
“Although it’s a rivalry when we go up against Burroughs, it’s not intense like it is in football,” said Rodas, who was a running back on the Bulldogs’ football team. “You just have to stay focused and concentrate on what you’re doing.”
Devin Rojas helped the Indians with a solid effort of his own. Along with taking the 100 (11.42), he also helped his squad win both the 4x100 relay (45.01) and the 4x400 relay (3:36.01).
The pole vault event was won by Burroughs junior Austin Allen with a 14-0 effort. He also placed second in the high jump (5-4) behind Burbank’s Habert Sarkisian (5-6).
“I’m feeling pretty good now, and I haven’t had any injuries all season,” said Allen, who’s personal-best of 14-6 in the pole vault puts him fifth on the Indians’ all-time list. “My goal is to get to 15-0 this season.”
The teams will next take part in the league prelims at 3 p.m. Friday at Glendale High.
