Novak, Rojas win titles

Steve Virgen

Estancia High senior Zack Novak cleared 6 feet, 6 inches in the high

jump to win the Division III championship at the CIF Southern Section

track and field finals at Cerritos College Saturday. That was enough

to make a grown man cry.

When Novak recorded his personal best to win his first CIF title,

his father, Ben, wept.

“I’m just so stoked,” Zack Novak said afterward. “I knew I could

get 6-4, but I never thought I could get 6-6.”

Novak wasn’t the only Estancia senior who won a CIF individual

title.

Humberto Rojas also became a champion, after winning the 1,600

meters. He finished in 4:14.28 to break his school record.

Rojas finished seventh overall, while Novak tied for third

overall, and both advanced to the Masters Meet Friday at Cerritos

College. The Masters Meet takes the top nine, regardless of division,

in each event.

Novak began competing in track and field just one year ago.

However, he did not become serious about the high jump until this

season. He had spent most of his time training for basketball. Next

year he plans to compete in track and field at Orange Coast College,

where Rojas will also go.

“I was really nervous [Saturday morning] and I had a stomach

ache,” Novak said. “After my first jump, [a 6-0 clearance], I started

to get relaxed. I just started to feel comfortable. It seemed no one

came with their best jump because people were scratching at 6-2 and

6-0.”

The Southern Section’s top mark in the high jump was 6-8. Novak

nearly cleared 6-8 on his first attempt. After his jumps, he

collected his first-place medal and went up to the stands to watch

his teammate, Rojas.

Estancia boys coach Steve Crenshaw said Novak continually took out

his medal and stared at it, and then put it back in his pocket.

“He was all smiles from ear to ear,” Crenshaw said. “His mom, dad,

grandparents, brother, everybody was there. And, everyone was happy.”

Rojas, too, was also quite joyous. Throughout half of the race,

Rojas was boxed in, but he overcame that. He found a hole and sped

out of the pack during the final 800 meters.

Estancia distance running coach Charlie Appell described Rojas’

race as tactical, yet the Estancia senior was still able to break

through with his personal best.

“It was scary,” Appell said, describing his reaction while

watching Rojas run. “He’s normally never been boxed in, and they had

him from behind, too.”

However, Rojas, a state finalist last year, seemed determined to

advance to the Masters Meet, the prelude to the state finals. Last

year, he had to play the waiting game because he was an alternate for

the Masters Meet, but a runner pulled out and he made the most of his

opportunity by finishing second and setting a school record in

4:14.71.

This year, Rojas attacked the 1,600 with a calm approach. He also

read the Bible to draw more inspiration.

“I just wanted to go out there and have fun, and then see what

happens,” Rojas said. “I didn’t get too nervous this year. I already

knew who was going to run in this race. And, I felt a little stronger

this year.”

Rojas also competed in the 800, but he was plagued by sideache. He

finished in 1:58.75. Besides, if he had qualified to the Masters Meet

in the 800, he most like would have pulled out of that event.

“The 1,600, that’s always been my race,” Rojas said. “It’s what

I’ve been doing every year and I want to keep doing it.”

Corona del Mar junior Chris Ringstrom finished ninth in Division

III in the 200 (22.30). He was the Pacific Coast League champion in

the 200 and 400.

CdM sophomore Andrew Wong could not clear a height in the pole

vault. He advanced to the CIF finals after clearing 13-0, which was

good for ninth last week at the CIF prelims.