Track & Field: Taylor moves on

It took one throw for Marty Taylor to accomplish what he wanted in the discus on the first day of the CIF state track and field championships at Buchanan High in Clovis.

The senior from Newport Harbor High put himself in the lead in the competition with an effort of 189 feet, 11 inches on his first attempt and didn’t even need his other two throws. His throw was over two feet better than his closest competitor, Joseph Ilaoa of Homestead and was five and a half inches shy of his personal best (190-4 1/2).

“My goal was to take as few throws as I had to, so I’m happy,” said Taylor, who will throw last Saturday by virtue of having the top qualifying mark. “I had a great week of practice. I worked on staying on my right foot as much as I could. It’s always better to be last so you know what everyone else is doing.”

Taylor, who is headed for UCLA, also advanced to the finals in the shotput, qualifying third overall with a throw of 61-4 1/4. His personal best in the event is 62-5, which is No. 3 in the state. Amir Ali Patterson of Encino Crespi was the top qualifier at 62-8 3/4, followed by Nick Ponzio of Temecula Great Oak (62-8 1/4), who won last week’s Masters Meet.

“I’m really happy with both events and hope I can do even better tomorrow,” Taylor said.

Newport Beach resident Carl Johansson, a junior at Orange Lutheran, cleared 15-10 to break his own school pole vault record at the Masters Meet and advanced through Friday’s qualifying as one of 12 finalists at 15-5 3/4.