TRACK AND FIELD: Lancers seniors sweep 800 titles, highlighting strong day for locals.
REDONDO BEACH - Caitlin Turner and Tommy Lopez didn't experience the worst of the weather conditions at Redondo Union High by the time the 800-meter finals started Saturday.
With huge wind gusts greeting the Thousand Oaks seniors on the backstretch, runners with less experience might have been affected by such challenges.
But Lopez and Turner demonstrated their poise and maturity to navigate their way to championships at the Redondo Nike track and field invitational.
Lopez regrouped after taking third in the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 22.09 seconds to win the 800 in a season-best 1:56.92.
"I didn't finish the way I wanted to in the (1,600), so I wanted to come back strong in the 800," Lopez said. "The wind on the backstretch killed me, especially on the second lap, but I'm very happy with that time. It's a good start and a good sign of where I'm at this early in the season."
Turner, who was fourth in the 1,600 (5:15.52), was forced to deal with the strong headwind as well as the leader, but held on despite a late challenge from Redondo Union freshman Amber Gore (2:17.99) to prevail in a season-best 2:17.43.
"It's hard to know when to go, so sometimes you just have to feel it out based on your competition and how you feel and how the others feel," Turner said. "I just decided to go with 500 left and if she beat me, then props to her.
Karsen Sper gave the Lancers another victory in the girls' long jump (16 feet, 4 3/4).
Simi Valley, which won the girls' distance medley relay Friday, picked up wins Saturday from Sarah Baxter in the 1,600 (5:02.76), with Erika Barr placing third (5:14.34), along with Logan Meikle in the boys' shot put (46-6), with teammate Tanner Geiger (45-4) taking third.
Meikle placed second in the discus (137-4), with Grace Brethren's Sullivan Wall capturing the title (151-5).
Notre Dame's Khalfani Muhammad clocked a wind-aided 10.69 in the 100, with Chaminade freshman JTHill clocking 11.28.
"Right now, I'm just trying to work on form," Muhammad said. "I was off for quite a bit, so I want to start up from a race like this and just focus on moving on. It's all about the next day and the next practice."
Chaminade won the boys' 4 x 100, edging Long Beach Poly 42.78 to 42.79. The Jackrabbits returned the favor in the 800 sprint medley, rallying past Chaminade 1:36.87 to 1:36.95.
Simi Valley's Amanda Hamilton was second in 300 hurdles (47.80) and Madisen Richards took third in the 100 (12.60). Knight's Jose Favela took second in the 300 hurdles (41.41), with Simi Valley's Travis Goodwin placing third (41.59).
