Boys and girls track and field: Redemption for Rojas

Steve Virgen

NORWALK - Estancia High junior Humberto Rojas made the most of his

second chance, Friday at the CIF Southern Section Track and Field Masters

Meet at Cerritos College, where Corona del Mar High seniors Julie Allen

and Krisserin Canary, as well as Costa Mesa junior Sharon Day, also

advanced to the state meet. Allen finished second in the 1,600 meters and the 3,200.

CdM’s Princeton-bound high jumper, Alison Brawner, and Newport Harbor

sophomore Elizabeth Clayton (triple jump), did not match their personal

records and finished sixth and ninth, respectively, ending their season.

Rojas, initially a Masters Meet alternate who gained a spot in the

1,600 field after another runner pulled out, broke through with his best

race of the season. He passed five runners over the final 200 meters and

finished second, breaking his own school record in 4:14.71. The former

record was 4:16.40, set last week at the CIF finals.

Rojas, who has been bothered by nagging hip pain the majority of the

season, missed last year’s state meet by a second, when he finished

sixth.

“I knew I had that kick in me,” Rojas said, describing his final push.

“I didn’t think about my hip. I just went out there. I really wanted it.

I was mad at what happened last week.”

Rojas displayed a wicked kick to offset his competition. He nearly

stumbled when he began his extra gear. Rojas’ shoe bumped into the shoe

of Tom Whelan (Redlands East Valley). Rojas tripped, but he continued

with his kick and then also passed up Michael Poe (Etiwanda), Bryan

Rayburn (Morro Bay) and Dan Lyon (Sultana). Rojas nearly caught Rio Mesa

junior Phillip Reid, who won the race in 4:14.32.

“You have to be smart out there (in the 1,600),” said Rojas, who was

in eighth after two laps. “You can’t go out so hard at the beginning.”

Estancia distance coach Charlie Appell was hardly surprised of Rojas’

performance.

“He shouldn’t have been (an alternate), first of all,” Appell said.

“That made him hungry. Now, he’s in state, so whatever happens, happens.

It’s all fun now.”

Costa Mesa’s Day seemed to have fun in the high jump, yet she showed

some frustration. She finished second, tying her school record of 5 feet,

10 inches. After clearing 5-6, 5-8 and 5-10, she smiled, as a small, yet

loud group of Mustang supporters cheered her on.

“It’s very nice to have people come out and support me,” said Day, who

was displeased she did not clear 6-0. However, Day remained confident.

“I feel I’m capable of (clearing 6-0),” she said.

Allen also displayed confidence. In the 1,600, she bolted away from

the pack with about 900 meters remaining. She could not keep up the pace

and finished second. But, she broke the school record with a

personal-best 4:57.57.

Esperanza senior Shalice Pugmire passed Allen during the final lap and

won in 4:56.77.

Allen, perhaps feeling the effects from a fast-paced 1,600, did not

match the 3,200 finish she had last week. Allen held the lead after the

third of eight laps and maintained her position until 800 meters

remained. That’s when Notre Dame Academy senior Christine Bolf passed her

and won in 10:35.94. Allen finished in 10:40.54.

“I don’t think (running the 1,600) effected me,” Allen said. “I think

I could have given more (in the 3,200), but I didn’t and that discourages

me.”

CdM Coach Bill Sumner said Allen will not run the 1,600 at the state

meet.

“I don’t look (at Bolf winning) as an upset,” Sumner said. “I still

believe (Allen) owns the (3,200). Now, (Allen) has someone to run with.

(Allen is) probably wishing she had fresh legs for the (3,200). We’re

going to drop the (1,600 for the state meet).”

Meanwhile, Allen’s teammate, Canary, cleared 11-3, the state’s at-large qualifying height. Canary’s personal best and school record is

11-6, but she didn’t have the chance to jump at that height. Instead, the

bar went from 11-3 to 11-9. Canary cleared 11-3 on her second attempt.

“I was really close (to clearing 11-9),” said Canary, who has cleared

12-0 in practice. “I was psyching myself out. I just had to forget it and

do it.”

Clayton, who broke the school record in the triple jump (38 feet, 4

1/2 inches) last week in the CIF finals, said she could not find the same

intensity.

“I just didn’t have it in me (Friday),” said Clayton, who made a

16-inch improvement from her previous best last week. “I felt grateful

that I could make it this far. To hear my name announced, it was

overwhelming. Next year, I need to always be intense.”

CdM’s Brawner cleared 5-4, two inches off her best.

“It’s a really good experience for my senior year,” Brawner said.