TRK: Royals get track season started at Don Green

Adeline Aldapa and Esteban Alfaro provided highlights for San Marcos’ track & field team at Saturday’s Don Green Invitational, which included a victory for Ryan Sorensen in the 3200 on a windy day at Moorpark High School.

It was the first competition of the season for the Royals, who host Santa Barbara High in a Channel League dual meet this Thursday.

“Overall, it was a good experience for everybody,” said Royals head coach Marilyn Hantgin.

COMPLETE 2014 RESULTS

Sorensen won the 3200 in a time of nine minutes and 38 seconds.

“He was really good, he’s on pace to good improvement,” Hantgin said of Sorensen.

Aldapa, another Royals distance runner, “ran amazing” in the 1500 meters, placing fifth in 5:16.73. In the 3200, the junior was 3rd in 11:21.

“5.16 is a really great time. To break through 5:20 was great for her,” Hantgin said.

Alfaro placed second in the 100-meter sprint behind Pacifica’s Jason Mesa. Alfaro was timed at 11.44 to Mesa’s 11.38. Alfaro then teamed with Kyle Tran, Garrett Paulson and Kyle Whitaker to earn 4th in the 4×100 relay. St. Bonaventure, Rio Mesa and Pacifica took the top three relay places.

Hantgin noted several fine performances in the frosh-soph ranks.

Freshman Chloe Hamer won the 300 hurdles and placed second in the 110 hurdles. Classmate Erica Schroeder was 2nd in the 800 and 3rd in the 1600.

Sophomore Kele Mkpado won the 110 hurdles in 16.13 and was second in the 300 hurdles in 43.77.

The Royals took about 200 athletes to Moorpark on Saturday.