With additional reporting by George Laase.
Last year the Culver City High School girls and boys track and field teams were very good.
This year they want to advance to the highest level.
Last season the girls varsity, freshman and sophomore teams, along with the boys freshman and sophomore teams, won the Ocean League in the rain at Lawndale High School. The boys varsity placed second.
The Centaurs will showcase their talent at 3 o’clock Thursday inside the Jerry Chabola Stadium against Dorsey, Leuzinger and Morningside from the L.A. City section. All three opponents have terrific traditions.
This year the Centaurs hope to have all four teams gather in the winner’s circle at the league finals. “We are very excited about our teams,” said Centaur Coach Jahmal Wright during a practice.
“In the sprints, the Hooper brothers (Cameron and Cahlil) are running well. Cameron is strong in the 200 and 400 meters, Cahlil in the 100 and 200.”
Wright is excited about the varsity boys 400 meter relay team. They clocked an impressive early season 43.03 for second place at the Culver City Invitational last week.
“In the varsity boys hurdles, Samuel Roberts continues to improve,” said Wright. “And we have depth this season.
Picking Out the Stars
“Abraham Vasquez is doing a great job in running varsity long distance races. These are the best distance teams we have had in six years. We are strong in the varsity field events with Justin Cox in the long jump and triple jump. If we stay healthy, we hope all four of our teams can win the league.”
On the boys freshman and sophomore team, 400-meter runner Dexter Hollier is learning under sprint coach and former USC All-American 800 meter runner Rayfield Beaton.
Beaton is one of the best track coaches in Southern California. Culver City athletes are excited to learn from him.
On the girls side, last year’s CIF finalist in the 400 meter relay, senior Veronica Mendez, is ready to lead her teammates. “We have a great team this year,” she said.
“Everyone is working together, training together, motivating each other.”
Mendez sounds like a coach sometimes. “I tell the rest of the girls to have fun, relax and do their best,” she said.
Two girls to watch on the freshman and sophomore team are sprinters Kayla Barnes and Jayda Crawford. They hope to break records before graduating.
“I have been running track since I was nine years old,” said Crawford. She started running with Los Angeles Jets track club. The Jets have been around for 40 years, one of the top club teams in the nation. “Right now I need to work hard and go as far as I can,” Crawford said.
If the Centaurs expect all four teams to win league titles, the distance runners need to step up. Longtime distance coach Tom Fritzus is ready for the challenge.
“Our distance program is really strong,” said Fritzus. “Our runners ran cross country in the fall. That helped them and our program.”
Two of the top runners are sophomore Max Jordan and senior Abraham Vasquez. They train hard.
“I am having a lot of fun,” said Jordan. “I take a lot of pride in running. I love this school. It’s a great honor to run for Culver City. Everywhere I go I try to represent Culver City the best way I can.”
Vasquez feels the same. “There is a lot of pressure to compete at a high level and do really well,” he said. “That is what motivates me.”
Other distance runners to watch are Mason Acevedo, Evan Pearson, Matthew Takara and Edin Winslow.
Winslow is a sophomore, came from the Middle School cross country team. “I played soccer for five years,” she said. “I started running cross country a few years ago,” said Winslow. “I am hoping to run a 5:30 1600 meters this year.”
Winslow’s dad, David .has run the Los Angeles Marathon the past few years so that gives Edin extra motivation. “My dad really encourages me,” she said. “For him to be running as he gets older makes me realize I can keep running for the rest of my life.”
Weekend Games
The varsity boys baseball team will face Los Angeles Garfield on Saturday at home at 11. The girls softball team will be playing at home starting at 9 a.m. in the St. Monica Tournament.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
