Sierra High’s boys track team flexed its muscle in a major way, dominating in every facet of its two Valley Oak League wins over Manteca and Weston Ranch highs Wednesday on Sierra’s new all-weather track.
The Timberwolves (4-0 VOL) cruised to an easy victory over Manteca High, and had an easier time disposing of the Cougars to remain undefeated.
Ruben Lopez put together an impressive meet for the Timberwolves, winning the 400-meters in 50.7 seconds and anchoring a come-from-behind win in the 4x400-relay. Ulysses Knapps was able to bring home victories against both schools in the long and triple jumps, while Kolton Cody was solid with two wins apiece in the 100 and 200-meters.
“We are getting there,” Sierra head coach Anthony Chapman said. “Track is one of those sports that it’s a process. We are always trying to look for ways that we can improve and get better. I know people look at our team and say this, that or whatever, but there are always things we can do to get better.
“And I really think that’s what drives our team.”
Manteca got a standout showing in the 1600-meters from Vince Herrera. Herrera raced an eye-turning event, pacing himself to perfection to outkick Sierra standout John Bowers for arguably the meet’s biggest upset.
“We’ve been working on him since he came out, and I told him that he had great potential,” Manteca coach Rick Cuevas said. “We were able to beat Ceres standout Alejandro (Garcia) last week and getting Bowers was our other goal.
“He’s an animal, so if you’ve beaten him, you know you’ve done something great.”
That’s exactly what Herrera did, winning the event in 4:37 seconds, some three seconds earlier than Bowers.
Weston Ranch’s Angell Mayfield continued his pattern of success, wining both the hurdle events.
Sierra (4-0) continued its season-long dominance on the girls front, getting team-wide dominance against both of its VOL opponents, smashing Manteca High 104-31.
“If we were satisfied with just being who we are, then we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do,” Chapman said of his team’s unbelievable showing. “I don’t want to take anything away from Weston Ranch or Manteca, because they both definitely have some very good athletes.
“There are definitely some bright spots for those teams, but track is a sport about numbers and also putting people in the right places to do well.”
Chantel Burton surely did well, wining both the shot put and discus events. Shanedra Pitts remained on top of her game, taking both the 100 and 200-meters, while loaning her services to the winning 4x100-relay squad.
Taylor Renee Wilson made her presence felt with a win in the long jump and running on both Sierra relay teams.
The Buffaloes got a victory from Briana Lucas with a time of 62.4 seconds in the 400-meters.
Sierra also proved to be dominant on the frosh-soph level, remaining undefeated in both boys and girls divisions with a pair of comfortable 117-9 (Weston Ranch) and 103-31 (Manteca) wins in the boys meet, and 95-31 and 104-14 wins in girls action.
The Timberwolves (4-0 VOL) cruised to an easy victory over Manteca High, and had an easier time disposing of the Cougars to remain undefeated.
Ruben Lopez put together an impressive meet for the Timberwolves, winning the 400-meters in 50.7 seconds and anchoring a come-from-behind win in the 4x400-relay. Ulysses Knapps was able to bring home victories against both schools in the long and triple jumps, while Kolton Cody was solid with two wins apiece in the 100 and 200-meters.
“We are getting there,” Sierra head coach Anthony Chapman said. “Track is one of those sports that it’s a process. We are always trying to look for ways that we can improve and get better. I know people look at our team and say this, that or whatever, but there are always things we can do to get better.
“And I really think that’s what drives our team.”
Manteca got a standout showing in the 1600-meters from Vince Herrera. Herrera raced an eye-turning event, pacing himself to perfection to outkick Sierra standout John Bowers for arguably the meet’s biggest upset.
“We’ve been working on him since he came out, and I told him that he had great potential,” Manteca coach Rick Cuevas said. “We were able to beat Ceres standout Alejandro (Garcia) last week and getting Bowers was our other goal.
“He’s an animal, so if you’ve beaten him, you know you’ve done something great.”
That’s exactly what Herrera did, winning the event in 4:37 seconds, some three seconds earlier than Bowers.
Weston Ranch’s Angell Mayfield continued his pattern of success, wining both the hurdle events.
Sierra 128, W. Ranch 1 (G)
Sierra 104, Manteca 31 (G)
The Timberwolves came one third-place field event finish from turning in a meet of perfection in their 128-1 win over Weston Ranch.Sierra 104, Manteca 31 (G)
Sierra (4-0) continued its season-long dominance on the girls front, getting team-wide dominance against both of its VOL opponents, smashing Manteca High 104-31.
“If we were satisfied with just being who we are, then we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do,” Chapman said of his team’s unbelievable showing. “I don’t want to take anything away from Weston Ranch or Manteca, because they both definitely have some very good athletes.
“There are definitely some bright spots for those teams, but track is a sport about numbers and also putting people in the right places to do well.”
Chantel Burton surely did well, wining both the shot put and discus events. Shanedra Pitts remained on top of her game, taking both the 100 and 200-meters, while loaning her services to the winning 4x100-relay squad.
Taylor Renee Wilson made her presence felt with a win in the long jump and running on both Sierra relay teams.
The Buffaloes got a victory from Briana Lucas with a time of 62.4 seconds in the 400-meters.
Sierra also proved to be dominant on the frosh-soph level, remaining undefeated in both boys and girls divisions with a pair of comfortable 117-9 (Weston Ranch) and 103-31 (Manteca) wins in the boys meet, and 95-31 and 104-14 wins in girls action.
— Jagada Chambers
