Manteca High appears to be on its way to a second straight Valley Oak League title run.
The Buffaloes started out the regular season with three strong opponents and have vanquished them all, the latest being visiting crosstown rival Sierra in Wednesday’s 76.5-59.5 victory. Sierra’s girls won, 71.5-54.5.
“Today we went into the meet knowing that we had to score well in each event,” Manteca coach Sean Hogan said. “The kids that we were counting on responded with some amazing performances.”
Manteca’s boys (3-0) picked up big points in the triple jump, sweeping behind the 1-2-3 finish of sophomores Carl Chandler and Lechi Nkwocha along with Ben Tolman.
Emmanuel Elijah, Sierra’s Sac-Joaquin Section Masters qualifier in the sprints a year ago, settled for runner-up finishes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes won by Tylo Both and Jordan Lyons, respectively. Lyons also took the 400.
Phillip Herrera doubled in the 800 and 1,600. Daniel Clemons set a personal record with a 47-foot, 10-inch first-place toss in the shot put, and Joe Eavenson won the discus.
Nick Valdez was the top performer for the Timberwolves (2-1), as he won the 110 and 300 hurdle events and anchored the winning 4x400 relay. Justin Patton placed first in the high jump and second in the 400.
Hayley Silva put forth a big effort for Sierra’s girls, winning four events — 800, mile, two-mile and 4x400.
The Timberwolves dominated the field events. Jaliya Williams won the long and triple jumps. Valerie Nestor was first in the shot and second in the discus, while Valerie Westover was the runner-up shot putter and winner in the discus.
Freshmen Jade Griffin and Regan Both were 1-2 in the 100 and 200 for Manteca.
Varsity girls
Oakdale 94, East Union 41
Sophomore sprinter Jordan McNeil produced first-place points in the 100 and 400 relay and was third in the 200. Justine Valdez took third in both throwing events, and Leticia Heron was second in the long jump, second in the triple and third in the high.
Varsity boys
Oakdale 78, East Union 51
Angelo Zerbini claimed the 100 and 200 sprints and anchored the winning 4x100. Nick Pulos was victorious in the 110 and 300 hurdles.
Frosh-soph girls
East Union 88, Oakdale 43
Aiko Jones came up big for the Lady Lancers by winning all three distance running events. Hunter White chipped in with wins in the 100, 200 and 4x100. She was joined by Emily Hauck in the 4x100 relay, and Hauck also won the long jump. Malia Watson claimed both throws.
Manteca 75, Sierra 23
Marissa Ringwood spearheaded Manteca sweeps in the 100 and 200. The Buffaloes also swept in the 100 hurdles won by Stephanie Salemi.
Frosh-soph boys
Oakdale 85, East Union 50
Tariq Davis was EU’s standout performer with wins in the 100, 200 and 4x100.
Manteca 75, Sierra 56
The Buffs swept in the long jump behind Edward Gomez. Francisco Alcantar took second in the event and was first in the triple. Trevor Crippen added wins in the mile and two-mile races.
Jordan Thompson won the 100 and 200 for Sierra.
