Lathrop High’s track and field team made a statement even in defeat during Thursday’s Valley Oak League-opening dual meet at East Union.
The Spartans lost the boys competition 70-57 while the girls fell 86-46, but they earned the praise of East Union coach Todd Dunaway. The Lancers also claimed the frosh-soph duals.
“Lathrop put up a great fight,” Dunaway said. “They’re going to be a team to be reckoned with this season. They have the numbers and a great coaching staff and is a team that comes ready to compete. There is no quit in them.”
Jerrica Hauck and Megan Jordan were East Union’s big points producer. Jordan led the Lady Lancers with first-place finishes in the 400, 800, 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay.
Hauck contributed wins in the pole vault and 100-meter dash while placing second in the long jump and anchoring the winning 4x100 relay team.
Taylor Baum won the mile, was the runner-up in the 3,200, finished third in the 800 and joined Jordan on the mile relay. Leticia Heron was a part of the 400-meter relay while earning top honors individually in the high jump and long jump.
Philicia Willingham paced the Spartans from the throwing events, winning both the shot put and the discus. Distance runner Jocelyn Santiago was the victor in the 3,200 and runner-up in the 800.
The boys standout was East Union’s Tevyn Braiden, who won the 100 and high jump and was also a part of the 4x100 relay. Angelo Zerbini claimed the 200, took second in the 100 and joined Braiden on the 400 relay. Joseph Daigle was victories in both throwing events.
Lathrop was able to keep it close by dominating the hurdles, as Harkiat Bassi won the 110 and placed second in the 300, which was won by fellow Spartan Saul Ruelas. Michael Marquez led the pack in the 3,200 and was second in the 1,600.
Sierra 92, Weston Ranch 43 (B)
Sprinter Tim Brown made it a clean four-event sweep, as he won the 100, 200 and aided the Timberwolves’ victorious relay teams.
Onyx Paredes was also on the 4x100 and 4x400 while winning the pole vault.
Sierra 102, Weston Ranch 21 (G)
Shakira Lewis, who played for Sierra’s VOL and Sac-Joaquin Section champion softball squad last year, proved her worth in her first conference track meet. She rambled to wins in the 100 and 200 and was on the winning 4x100.
Sophia Bukanovich triumphed in the 400, 800 and mile relay. Standout thrower Valerie Nestor set a new school record in the shot put with a mark of 37 feet, 5 ¾ inches.
Frosh-soph boys
East Union 102, Lathrop 28
Angel Franco nearly swept the three distance races, taking second only in the 800 for East Union. Taariq Davis took charge in the sprints, earning top finishes in the 100 and 200 while anchoring the winning 4x100.
Sierra 95, Weston Ranch 23
Nick Valdez spearheaded the Timberwolves with wins in both hurdle events as well as the 4x400. Devonte Reese won shot and discus.
Frosh-soph girls
East Union 89, Lathrop 33
Jordan McNeal paced the Lancers with wins in the 100 and high jump and a second-place finish in the 200. Lauren King claimed both hurdle events. She and McNeal also helped the 400 relay quartet win.
Sierra 66, Weston Ranch 6
The T’Wolves nearly pitched the shutout behind the efforts of Chabyel Snaer, who won the 100, 200, high jump and 4x100.
Elizabeth Ma captured two distance events. Natalie Griffin took first in the pole vault, was second in the 100 and 200 and joined Snaer on the winning sprint relay.
