SVL teams break tape at league meet
The Sacramento Valley League's runners, jumpers and throwers put it all on the line Wednesday, duking it out in Durham at the latest SVL meet.
In the varsity competitions, the hosts took the boys crown with 67.5 points, followed by Willows (49) and Pierce (31.5). The Trojans completed the varsity sweep with 45 points in the girls events, ahead of Willows (36) and Pierce (15).
The wins often came in multiples for athletes from the tri-county area, with a pair racking up three wins in individual events.
The Honkers' Derek Soeth set the pace with victories in the 800 meters (2-minutes, 17.37 seconds), as well as the 1600 (4:59.13) and 3200 (11:14.28).
Pierce's Nieko Bates also rose to the top in three events, clocking the 110 hurdles in 18.69 and the 300 hurdles in 51.02, and also stretched his legs for a winning distance of 17-3 in the long jump.
Trevor Candelaria tossed aside the competition for a pair of Willows wins in the field events, heaving the shot put 45-1.5 and the discus, 133-9. Steven Johnson also sprinted to a win for the Honkers in the 100, crossing the line in 12.63.
In the competition among the girls, Kaylen Wilson was a triple threat for the Honkers, posting victories in the 100 hurdles (18.64), discus (70-10) and long jump (15-3.5). Teammate Mary Feeney was also golden in the 100 (14.28) and 200 (29.61), with fellow Honker Esmeralda Perez capturing the top spot in the 400 (1:20.17).
