The CIF State Track and Field Championships will be held Friday and Saturday at Buchanan High School in Clovis.
Here are three storylines involving Long Beach teams and athletes to follow at the championship meet.
1. Can the Wilson girls successfully defend the state title?
The Bruins won last year’s state title with 44 points. Wilson could score more points at this year’s meet. Wilson junior Loren Webster is the No. 1 seed in the long jump (19 feet, 3.25 inches) and has jumped 20-9 1/2 this season, the best mark in California.
Wilson junior Kaylin Edwards, the defending state champion in the 300 hurdles, is the No. 2 seed heading into this year’s state meet (42.03). Edwards also qualified as the No. 3 seed in the 100 hurdles (14.11).
Wilson freshman Saniah Vanardo could score in the 400 (54.43) and 300 hurdles (43.31). Wilson sophomore Brooke Blue could score in the 400 (54.91).
The Bruins are the No. 1 seed in the girls 4×400 relay (3:43.72) and secured the 2023 state title before that race was run last year. Wilson could also score key points in the 4×100 (46.62) and 4×800 relays (9:17.01).
2. Can Poly’s Xai Ricks win the boys 400 and lead the Jackrabbits to the state title?
The Poly boys track and field team finished fourth at last year’s state meet with 28 points, a mere eight points behind champion Granada Hills. Senior sprinter Xai Ricks will lead the Jackrabbits in the 400 (47.18, third seed). The Georgia signee was the runner-up in 400 (46.06) at last year’s state meet.
Freshman Benjamin Harris, in the 100 (10.43) and 200 (21.27), and freshman Julius Johnson in the 200 (21.25), could potentially score more points, which puts them squarely in the conversation to win a state championship.
The Poly boys 4×400 relay, last year’s state championship in 3:12.99, is this season’s second-fastest qualifier (3:14.76) after winning last Saturday’s CIF-SS Masters Meet at Moorpark High. The Jackrabbits’ 4×100 relay is the fourth-fastest qualifier in 41.38 but has a season’s best of 40.93.
3. Can Millikan’s Jason Parra win his first state title in the boys 3,200?
The senior distance runner is the No. 2 seed in this year’s 3,200 (8:49.92) and finished second in last year’s race in 8:53.69. Parra, the sixth seed in the 1,600, won his first state title at the CIF State Division I cross country championships over 5,000 meters in November. The Notre Dame signee wants to end his high school track career by winning his signature event.
AREA NOTES
Long Beach Poly girls
Poly senior hurdler Anise Becker is a contender for podium finishes in the girls 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles (43.28). Junior sprinter Leila Holland will compete in the girls 100 (11.68).
The Poly girls 4×400 relay (3:48:15) will be a contender for a podium finish. Poly senior Mai Ricks is the fifth seed in the girls shot put. Junior Joy Anderson will compete in the girls high jump.
Wilson boys
Wilson sophomore Wyland Obando (1:51.53) and senior JT Kramer (1:52.27) are top contenders in the boys 800. Freshman Kaedyn Burroughs qualified in the 400 (48.23).
The Wilson boys 4×400 relay is the third fastest qualifier (3:15.90) entering the state meet. Wilson senior Ethan Bartee will compete in the boys 300 hurdles (38.20).
Los Alamitos
Los Alamitos junior sprinter Devin Bragg is also a contender for podium finishes in the 100 (10.47) and the 200 (21.28). Los Alamitos senior Gabriel Gandara and junior Olivia Bettinger will compete in the boys and girls pole vault, respectively. The Griffins boys 4×400 relay (3:19.39) also qualified for the state meet.
Warren, Jordan, St. Pius X-St. Matthias
Warren senior Eman Goodloe is a contender for a podium finish in the boys shot put.
Jordan junior Jamar Andrews is a contender for a podium finish in the boys triple jump.
St. Pius X-St. Matthias freshman sprinter Dylan Nelson will compete in the girls 200.