Track And Field

BURBANK — Ralph Turner is revered as the finest track and field sprinter to come out of Burroughs High. However, after performing for the Indians, he went on to continued success at Glendale Community College and Brigham Young University. It is at Glendale college that Turner will receive recognition for his fine career with the Vaqueros. The ninth annual Glendale Community College Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held March 6 at the college’s J. Walter Smith Student Center, 1500 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale.

Going on an extended family summer vacation might be an ideal way for some to relax. Instead of staying at a beach resort or visiting a major metropolis, Daniela Pollard had a different set of plans. When she was younger, Pollard spent her time focusing on ballet, karate and swimming. While Pollard tried to hone her skills in each sport, she saw something else that piqued her interest after receiving encouragement from her swimming coach — track and field. In an instant, Pollard found track and field to her liking.

CLOVIS — If nothing more and nothing less, Western Nelson proved he could run among the best of the best — both on Saturday and throughout an ultra-successful senior campaign. Running for the first time in the CIF-State Track and Field Championships, the Indians standout flirted with the frontrunners in Saturday night’s 3,200-meters race, but inevitably finished 16th in 9 minutes 6.68 seconds. “I put myself in a position to do good, but I didn’t really do that good,” Nelson said.

Give Burroughs High distance runner Western Nelson his share of credit. The senior has done something no other Indians boys’ runner has been able to accomplish, as he has qualified for state competition in both cross-country and track and field during the same school year. Only former teammate, Sadee Martinez — who accomplished the impressive double in 2007 — has been able to advance to both competitions. In fact, Nelson and Martinez are the only two individuals to accomplish the feat in city history.

BASEBALL Burbank 6, Arcadia 4 : McCauley Taylor pitched a complete game Tuesday to lead the Bulldogs to a Pacific League win on the road. Eight of the nine Burbank players had at least one hit. Brandon Dawson went three for four and Chase Mersola reached base four times. Brandon Zepeda had two triples in helping the Bulldogs hammer out 12 hits.   SOFTBALL Burbank 10, Arcadia 2 : Kassy Uchida was three for three with three runs batted in and Megan Schafer was two for four with four RBI to lead the Bulldogs to a Pacific League win Tuesday.

TRACK AND FIELD Burroughs in California Relays at Cerritos College : The Indians enjoyed some fine results in the competition Saturday. In the Open Division, Anthony Monroy placed second in the boys? 1,600 meters (4 minutes, 28.59 seconds). In the Invitational Division, Western Nelson was second in the boys? 3,200 (9:20.60), Jeff Dumas was ninth in the triple jump (42 feet 11) and Danny Cruz was fifth in the 200 (23.22). In college competition, two former Indians did well.

With the 2008-09 school year set to begin Monday for many local students, athletes are already working out getting prepared for the fall season. However, before another school year of athletic competition begins, the 2007-08 campaign deserves one last look. The year was filled with outstanding individual performances, some record-breaking accomplishments and a handful of league championships from the four local schools — Burroughs, Burbank, Bellarmine-Jefferson and Providence highs.

BURROUGHS HIGH — If a book was written about the history of cross-country at Burroughs High, Sadee Martinez would be among the top entries. However, if a book was written about the most successful female high school cross-country runners in the history of Burbank, Martinez would most definitely be at the top of the list. Martinez enjoyed a fine four-year career in track and field and cross-country for the Indians. However, it was during her final two years at the school that she definitely left her mark.

Laszlo Tabori has won his share of prestigious awards in his more than 50 years as a record-breaking distance runner and revered coach. He has been given international awards, earned Olympic Games accolades and been honored for his work — and success — on the running track. “I have been able to travel all over the world during my lifetime,” said Tabori in a thick Hungarian accent. “I have been a lucky man.” Tabori, who will turn 77 on July 6, will receive another award today.