California State University of Stanislaus in Turlock was the host of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Track and Field Division IV and V trials and finals. The meet was staged over two days beginning Tuesday, May 20 with trials in multiple events and wrapping up with finals on Thursday, May 22.
Oakdale High School was strongly represented and a force to be reckoned with throughout the competition as 11 of Oakdale’s finest gave it their all over the two days, including a few recording-breaking performances and personal record times as well as those moving on to this week’s Masters Meet. Overall, the Oakdale Lady Mustangs placed third as a team with 47 points, 13 points behind first place Cosumnes Oaks of the Sierra Valley Conference and the boys finished ninth overall with total of 20 points. Valley Oak League’s Sierra High School took first place with a score of 70.
Girls Highlights: Senior Dezirae Pennington finished second in the triple jump as she leaped her way to a mark of 36 feet, 2 inches, and also contributed to the girls 4x400 meter relay school record time of 4:05.15. Also contributing to the feat was a trio of freshmen: Sara Stevens, Kyla Novotny and Candy Jauregui. Stevens’ success didn’t stop there as she finished third in the 400 meter dash with a time of 59.98, which turned out to be a personal best time for her. She also jumped a personal best in the long jump for her leap of 16 feet, 3 inches. Junior Sarah Courtney finished 18th in the high jump with a mark of 4-0.
A pair of seniors competed in the pole vault as Grace Perreira finished fifth with her 9 foot 3 inch clearance and right behind her in sixth, was Brooke Wong with a mark of 8 feet 9 inches.
Sophomore Kai Tanner captured first place in the shot put with her 38 foot, 5.25 inch throw. Sophomore sensation, Hannah Chappell threw for a Division IV meet record with her 144 foot throw in the discus. Freshman Kyndall Vargas finished ninth in the discus with her 93 foot, 11 inch toss.
Boys Highlights: Junior Isaiah Aguilar finished seventh in the 1600 meter run with a personal best 4:33. Senior Kyle Peterson took first place in shot put with his monstrous 51 foot, 4.75 inch toss. Peterson’s big day continued with his school record first place discus throw of an even 177 feet, also a Division IV meet record. Junior Nick Ruiz placed tenth in the discus with his 124 foot, nine inch toss, and also finished 19th in the shot put with his 40 foot, three inch throw.
“Coach Brett Chappell has done an amazing job with our throwers,” praised Oakdale High School Athletic Director Dave Bacigalupi.
Thursday, May 29 the Masters Trials begin with the Finals taking place Friday May 30 at Elk Grove High School beginning at 3 p.m.
