Mira Costa track team exceeds expectations in Mustang Relays
Mira Costa’s girls won the distance medley at the 21st Mustang Relays.
Highlighted by first-place finished by its boys and girls 4×400 relay teams, Mira Costa had a strong showing in front of its home crowd at the 21st Mustang Relays held Saturday in Waller Stadium.
“I was one of the best Mustang Relays we’ve had in recent memory” Mira Costa coach Moe Russell said. “We had a strong field of athletes and Mira Costa – particularly its relay teams – did better than we were expecting.”
Russell added that despite the adidas Meet of Champions Distance Classic being held the same day at Azusa Pacific University, the Mustang Relays drew 1,000 more spectators than last year.
Mira Costa sophomore Elizabeth Chittenden won the 1600 race in her first year of running track. Photo
Along with winning the 4×400 relay with a time of four minutes, .59 seconds, Mira Costa’s girls placed first in the 4×800 (10:10.04) and the distance medley (13:07.07).
The Mustangs also had third-place finishes in the 4×100 (48.59) and 4×1600 (4:56.46).
Mira Costa sophomore Elizabeth Chittenden captured the 1600 with a time of 5:24.80.
“Elizabeth only competed in the high jump last season, so her win was very exciting” Russell said. “She decided to try cross country last fall and is now a legitimate distance runner.”
Mustang hurdler Shante Robinson won the 300 hurdles (44.40) and placed second in the 100 hurdles (15.40). Myan Erlington placed third in the triple jump (35-01.5).
Redondo’s girls placed second in the 4×100 (48.50) and third in the 4×200 (1:44.54).
The Sea Hawks also got strong performances from Ashley Wells, who won the shot put (35-07) and discus (114-08.5), and Kaitlin Heri who took first in the pole vault (11-06).
North Torrance had two top-three finishers with Nicole Clark taking second in the pole vault (9-00) and Kaylyn Sumler finishing third in the discus (107-06).
Torrance’s Tyra Jackson placed third in the long jump at 18-01.25.
In boys competition, Mac Power chased down two runners in the final leg of the 4×400 to give Mira Costa the win with a time of 3:31.71.
The Mustangs also fared well in the distance medley where south Bay teams went 1-2-3. West Torrance captured the event with a time of 10:55.05 while North Torrance (11:05.78) edged Mira Costa (11:06.55) for the second spot.
Mira Costa’s Peter Yaskowitz finished third in the high jump (5-10).
In an all-South Bay finish West Torrance, North Torrance and Mira Costa went 1-2-3 in the boys distance medley. Photo
Redondo’s Christopher Odanaka placed second in the shot put (46-03) and third in the discus (120-00) while teammate Tate Curran won the pole vault (15-00). The Sea Hawk’s relay team finished third in the 4×200 (1:34.61).
West Torrance had a winner with Tyler Luis capturing the 100 (11.08) while Carson Bix finished second in the 1600 (4:18.74).
North Torrance’s Max Blaettler-Frenzel placed second in the 110 hurdles (15.69) edging South Torrance’s Zach Adlesh (15.74).
Torrance’s Elijah Jones won the long jump with a mark of 21-07.
At the adidas Meet of Champions Distance Classic, Redondo’s Sergio Rodriguez placed second in the 800 with a time of 1:56.01 while teammate Carlos Suarez finished seventh in the 3200 (9:13.53).
Palos Verdes had two top-ten finishers in the 1600 with Robert Franklin (2nd, 4:14.32) and Jacob Cohen (8th, 4:18.94).
In girls competition, Redondo’s Trinity Leonard (2:16.78) and Breya Wynne (2:17.15) finished sixth and 7seventh in the 800, Palos Verde’s Morgan Irish placed tenth (2:18.10).
Redondo’s Taylor Beaudoin finished eight in the 1,600 at 5:03.39 and Palos Verdes’ Camille Hines placed fifth in the 1-mile race (5:01.85).