Campbell brings down 33-year-old DP record

Dos Pueblos track coach Dave Kuderka said it was only a matter of time for Erin Campbell.

That time came Thursday as the Chargers’ Campbell broke the school record in the 800 meters at Buena, cracking a mark set all the way back in 1977 by Wanda Burke. Campbell, a junior, finished in 2 minutes and 16 seconds even, bettering the previous record by over a second.

“That was pretty awesome,” Kuderka said, expecting Campbell to bring the record down even further in her time left at DP. “She’s a junior so you got to expect she’s going to keep beating up on her record.”

Campbell’s race was one of many successful ones for the Chargers, who defeated the Bulldogs 82-45 in the girls competition and 87-40 in the boys.

Erin Ristig was a four-time winner on Thursday, taking individual races in the 200 and 400 meters, while anchoring the first-place 4×100 and 4×400 relays.

In boys, Andy Lopez won three events. Individually, Lopez was first in the 400 meters and the 300 hurdles. He also opened up for the winning 4×400 relay.  Chris Gomez won 110 hurdles in 15.8 seconds while Jeremy Dill leaped to victory in the high jump.

The Chargers have a big meet in their next Channel League action when Ventura visits Goleta.

“It’s going to an absolutely amazing battle on Thursday,” Kuderka said.