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Masters Meet Competitors Represent Riverbank Well
Arana-discus
With a throw of 151-00 in the discus, Riverbanks Fabian Arana took fourth place one spot shy of qualifying for the State Meet at the recent Masters Meet competition in Elk Grove. - photo by Jonamar Jacinto/The News

Represented in a handful of events at the Master’s Meet in Elk Grove, Riverbank did not qualify any athletes to compete at the State Track and Field Meet.

Fabian Arana, Mikayla Florez, Kim Ruvalcaba and Armando Vargas all made the trip to Elk Grove for the two-day event.

“It was a tough way to end the season for both Mikayla and Fabian,” coach Monte Wood said of his two athletes that had the best shot at state going in. “Mikayla started having Achilles pain during the week last week, and she gave it her best effort, but the pain made it difficult to push hard through the race. The third place finisher was the girl she beat at divisionals the week before, so we know she could have been at 5:00 minutes or under.”

The top three advance to state.

Florez had to drop the 2-mile event, which allowed Kimberly Ruvalcaba to run it.

“Kim was two seconds from her personal record, so that was a good race for her,” Wood said of the sophomore finishing 23rd in the field. “Kim has been amazing this year, and we are excited to see what happens with her in year two of her training.”

Armando Vargas cleared 5-9 in the high jump trials but did not advance to the finals.

Fabian Arana finished fourth in the discus.

“That is the worst place to finish because it is one place away from qualifying to state,” said Wood. “He had one throw in the 160s that would have gotten him to state, but it just barely sectored out.”

Regardless, said the coach, it was a stellar campaign for the senior.

“Fabian had such a great season and has a bright future ahead of him. He is going to be working with Coach McKay at MJC next year. Coach McKay is one of the best coaches in the nation, and I am excited to see him progress,” Wood noted. “I believe both Fabian and Mikayla, if the Achilles pain subsides, will continue their training and will compete at the Golden West Invitational in Sacramento at the end of the month.”

Wood added that the Golden West Invitational this year is being held in conjunction with the U.S. National Championships and should draw elite competitors from all over the nation.