Eagles ready for Golden West

Steve Virgen

Before the Estancia High boys track and field team left the Pacific

Coast League last season, the Eagles started eyeing the competition

in the Golden West League. What they found was that the Golden West,

which they will enter this season, is virtually wide open.

Santa Ana, Orange and Westminster are considered the favorites,

but with Estancia being relatively new to opponents, the Eagles could

very well have the edge, or disadvantage.

“This league is more competitive (than the PCL),” said Charlie

Appell, who coaches the long distance runners. “Any given day, some

team can beat the other.”

Appell said the Eagles are actually more team-oriented as they

prepare for their new league. Two or more athletes have taken

leadership roles in their respective events and it has helped in the

meshing process, Appell said. For example, senior Humberto Rojas has

done such for the long distance runners and for the relays.

Rojas will be one the Eagles’ highest point-getters this season.

His leadership is expected, not only in the distance events, but for

the entire team.

“He needs to step it up,” Appell said. “That’s what he needs to

do, and he knows it.”

Rojas’ experience should also be beneficial for Estancia. The

senior has elevated his athleticism each of the past three years.

Last season, he broke through with a rags-to-riches-like story in the

1,600 meters. He qualified for the CIF State preliminaries as an

alternate, yet he finished second in the event to advance to the

State Finals breaking his own school record and finished in 4:14.71.

The Eagles have senior Joey Lindquist in the discus. Senior Zack

Novak, excels in the high jump, while Abdul Kaiyum’s focus is on the

400. Nick Koreerat, a junior, should be a force in the sprints and

junior Jason Johnston will be looked on to gain points in the

hurdles.

Junior Bubba Kapko, who played football, will compete in the

throws, to support Lindquist. The distance events should be one of

Estancia’s favorite with Rojas, sophomore Alex Cahuantzi and senior

Abel Flores.