Mira Costa hosts competitive Bay League track and field finals
Mira Costa’s Dalia Frias, left, and Lucy Atkinson are top competitors in the 1600-meter event. Photo
The Bay League is loaded with talented track and field athletes who will be competing for a league title Friday in the finals held at Mira Costa.
Varsity members who qualify will advance to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Prelims at Trabuco Hills on Saturday, May 4.
The finals will be held at El Camino College at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 followed by the Masters Meet at the same venue the following week.
“Senior state pole vaulter Brigette Grau is looking to have a solid night,” Mira Costa head coach Moe Russell said. “Senior Amari Fraser is coming off a career season in both the 100 and 300 hurdles and is looking to repeat as league champ. Juniors Sara Mooney (100m and 200m) and Kali Mashayekhi (200m and 400m) are also looking to help their girls varsity team with their performances.”
Mira Costa’s girls team is also strong in distance events.
“We are excited to see what Dalia Frias can do heading towards CIF,” Coach Renee Williams Smith said. “She ran a 4:56.4 in the 1600 at the Mt. SAC Relays Friday night on her way to a 4:58 mile (10th best in the state). Also, senior Lucy Atkinson is looking strong in the 1600 running a 5:05 earlier this season. Senior Brooke Inouye is hoping to get to CIF in the 3200 for the third year in a row.”
Redondo’s girls squad is also very talented with its 4×200 relay team holding the 4th-best time in the state (1:41.28), the 4×800 relay team (5th in the state, 9:23.54) and Distance Medley Relay team (6th in state, 12:04.96).
Amari Turner placed 3rd in last weekend’s Mt. SAC pole vault competition with a mark of 12-06, just short of her best (10th in state, 12-7).
Mahkaia Lee has recorded the state’s 3rd best mark in the long jump (19-9.5)
In boys competition, Mira Costa has also fared well with its Distance Medley Relay team having the 8th best time in the state (10:17.84), just ahead of Palos Verdes (9th, 10:18.80).
“Senior Robert Craig and junior Brent Boone are our top two long and triple jumpers,” Russell said. “Both have had an outstanding season and hope to earn a spot into CIF. Senior pole vaulter Andrew Sandberg and junior Rory Schelly should do well among a very strong Bay League group.”