Easter Relays showcases local shot-put standout

It?s too bad they can?t move the shot put pit to the 50-yard line for Saturday?s 75th Santa Barbara Easter Relays at La Playa Stadium.

Stamatia Scarvelis deserves to be out in front of a crowd when she competes. The Dos Pueblos junior is the defending state champion and the current national leader in the shot put. She went 49-10 in the first outdoor meet of the season three weeks ago.

Stamatia Scarvelis - Dos Pueblos High School Track & Field

Dos Pueblos’ Stamatia Scarvelis

If she hit the 50-foot mark, wouldn?t it be cool if everyone in the stands witnessed it?

EASTER RELAYS 2013 EVENT SCHEDULE

Scarvelis is one of the featured athletes competing in the meet, which begins at 9 a.m. Besides being No. 1 in the shot put, Scarvelis ranks second in the country in the discus at 154-0. She?s less than a foot behind leader Nikki Okwelogu of Clovis West (155-4.50)

Scarvelis isn?t the only nationally ranked athlete in the meet. Ventura?s Eric Beilke has the second best boys discus throw in the country at 181-10 and Arroyo Grande?s Madison Jacobs is fifth in the girls discus at 145-8.

Thirty-three schools will be represented at the Easter Relays, including locals DP, San Marcos, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Providence Hall.

There are several athletes in the meet with top-five marks in their CIF sections. Arroyo Grande?s Elijah Holt has the best time in the boys 110 high hurdles in the Southern Section at 14.38. Morganne Hill of Bakersfield-Liberty ranks first in the Central Section for the girls 300 hurdles with a time of 43.43 and is second in the 400 at 57.07. Liberty also has a fast 4×400 relay, posting a time of 4:04.20, ranked No. 2 in the Central Section.

Also from the Central Section, Luis Matos of Golden Valley is second in the 400 at 50.34.

Cabrillo standout Rebekah Miranda is the No. 2 girls triple jumper in the Southern Section with a mark of 38-2. From Ventura, Holly Tokar holds the second best pole vault at 12-6.

For the boys, Ahmed Obed of Camarillo is third in the 100 (10.7) and 200 (21.75). Lavan Alston of St. Bonaventure is ranked third in the CiF-SS in the 100 (10.77) and 200 (22.04). Anthony Burnham-Teart of Rio Mesa is fifth in the 110 high hurdles (14.93).