Mustangs, Trojans, Cardinals win medals at Gary Burton Invitational
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CORNING >> Middletown High School’s varsity boys 4×100-meter and 4×400 relay teams set school records Friday during the Gary Burton Invitational at Corning High School.
It was the final tuneup for the Mustangs before the Coastal Mountain Conference Championships on Wednesday in St. Helena.
The top three finishers in each event received medals during the Gary Burton Invitational and Middletown had its share of medalists as did Lower Lake.
Varsity boys
The 4×100 finish was so close between Middletown and West Valley that it was officially declared a tie, both teams clocking in at 43.99 seconds, which is .01 seconds faster than the previous Middletown record set in March. For the Mustangs, it was Esteban Muniz, Jamisen Jackson, Luke Mace and Hayden Xavier running the four legs. Mace replaced Tyler Galamay, who was part of the team during its record-setting performance in March.
In the 4×400, the Middletown foursome of Mace, Jackson, Xavier and Henry Ames clocked in with a winning time of 3 minutes, 34.49 seconds, breaking a school record that had stood since 2012.
“With it being the last meet of the regular season, some of my boys wanted to try to break the record that had been standing since 2012,” Middletown head coach Wyatt Hall said. “All four of the boys bought in and gave it everything they had. We went over the splits they would need, and every one of them met or bested the time they needed. I am so proud of all four of them.”
Varsity girls
Middletown’s varsity girls 4×100 relay team of Thira Hoage, Jolene Holley, Tina Lopez and Casi Padilla placed third in 52.93 seconds, the second-fastest time in school history.
“Outside of the relay, Tina Lopez hit new PRs in both the 100 meters and 200,” Hall said.
“Lopez, a senior, has been a great addition to the team this year.”
Hoage also ran a personal best in the 100.
“Hoage is a four-year member of the team,” Hall said. “As a coach, it feels great to see her running her best times at the end o her senior year.”
Added Hall, “Casi Padilla, our 4×100 relay anchor, ran well today. Her leg was a big part of the team’s new best time, which also puts them at the top of the CMC rankings. She has also top five in the 100 meters and top 10 in the 200 meters.”
JV boys
Gavin Elliot, who was moved down to frosh-soph boys from the varsity because of meet entry restrictions, medaled in the 200, taking second. He also anchored the 4×100 relay team, which came in fifth.
“He is willing to run whatever events I ask of him,” Hall said. “One of my athletes missed the bus, so I had to adjust the JV 4×100 team and threw him in as the anchor, and he ran a great leg.”
Ryder Roudebush also distinguished himself, according to Hall.
“He is another one of my underclassman who has impressed me this year,” Hall said.
Roudebush took part in the high jump but also ran the 400 and the first leg of the 4×400 relay.
“He has been driven to improve a lot this year, and he has come a long way,” Hall said.
JV girls
Avery Peterson moved down from the varsity to the frosh-soph girls division so that Middletown could run a 4×400 relay team, according to Hall. She won the 400 (1:03.08) and the 800 (2:33.01).
“She ran both of her individual events great,” Hall said. “She set PRs in both events and won the events.”
Varsity boys medal winners
Middletown’s Xavier won the 100 in 11.05 while Lower Lake’s Roy Percoats just missed a medal, placing fourth in 11.56.
Alfonso Rones of Lower Lake took second in the discus with a toss of 145 feet even.
Lower Lake’s boys 4×100 relay team of Percoats, Christian Rincon, Raijhier McKneely and Jeremiah Lopez finished third in 44.44 while Lower Lake’s boys 4×400 relay team of Percoats, Rincon, Lopez and Vincent Linton also placed third in 3:43.36.
Middletown’s Dylan Caviness was third in the pole vault at 11-6 while teammate Sean Torres came in fourth at 9-6.
Varsity girls medal winners
Crystal Montanez of Lower Lake finished second in the 400 (1:05.88).
Jolene Holley of Middletown tied for third in the high jump at 4-10.
JV boys medalists
Clear Lake’s Jesus Ballardo won the shotput with a throw of 43-2 ¼.
Emliano Rivera of Lower Lake topped the field in the 3,200 meters (10:55.24) and finished fourth in the 800 (2:21.84).
JV girls medalists
Lower Lake’s 4×100 relay team of Samira Mendez, Layla Naredo, Riley Givens and Stella Aleman finished first in 54.95.
Aleman also came in second in the 100 (13.96) while teammate Mendez was the runner-up in the 200 (29.63).
