Dos Pueblos track coach Dave Kuderka described the CIF Finals in Cerritos as “a whole other world” because of the elite quality of competition. San Marcos’ girls 4×400 relay team would certainly agree.
The Royals foursome of Kailyn Koopmans, Marie Brashears, Elysia Hodges and Hannah McDaniel broke their own school record by two seconds at 3:54.41 on Saturday, but it still wasn’t enough to advance to Friday’s Masters Meet. The time was, however, good enough for second in Division III behind Harvard-Westlake.
“There were just some ridiculous teams down there,” said coach Marilyn Hantgin.
Bennie Kirkwood cleared 6-4 in the high jump and was the only Royal to extend his season. Shane Rowan took second in the D-III triple jump (45-1.5) and Hodges was fifth in the 300 hurdles (44.84). McDaniel picked up fifth-place finishes in the 400 (a personal-best 57.56) and high jump (5-4).
For the Chargers, Nicholas Scarvelis advanced in both the shot put and discus. His mark of 57-10 in the shot put earned second in Division II, while his toss of 173-10 in the discus placed him third. DP’s Marina Plesons cleared 11 feet in the pole vault, earning seventh place.
Tyler Parent competed in the discus for Santa Barbara High and finished third in Division III, while Briggs Deardorff made it into the 1600 due to a late scratch and took sixth at 4:22.8.
“With a meet like this, it was all about the journey of getting here and having this experience. That’s what’s most meaningful for these kids,” said Kuderka.
