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Fast-Paced Action For Track, Field Athletes
Andalon
Riverbank shot-putter Isaac Andalon was a double champion in the TVL Frosh/Soph Championships on Friday. In addition to doing well in this event, he set a personal record of 118-feet, 9-inches in the discus. Coach Monte Wood is working with him to prepare for a decathlon this summer at the AAU Regional Qualifier in Oakdale.

It has been a busy week past couple of weeks for the RHS track and field team.

The dual meet season is over as Riverbank boys and girls finished 2-4 in dual meets. Riverbank’s Savannah Macias finished undefeated in the dual meet season in the 100 and 200.

“She has broken the school record in the 100 three times,” noted coach Monte Wood. “Marissa Castellanos finished undefeated in the discus in the dual meets. Alondra Hernandez also finished undefeated in her distance races, but she did not race in one dual meet due to injuries.”

For the boys, Damian Lopez remained undefeated in the mile by outkicking an Escalon athlete for the win last Wednesday.

“Overall, both the boys and the girls have some talented athletes, but just not enough depth, and we are missing athletes in some key events.” Wood explained. “The girls were hurt by a lack of hurdlers all year, and the boys just don’t have enough sprinters and high jumpers.”

Meanwhile, there was action for the younger Bruins as well.

At the Trans-Valley League Frosh/Soph Championships on Friday, the boys team finished third overall, and the girls finished fifth overall.

“We were only a few points from third in the girls. But it still came down to not having enough athletes compared to most of the other teams in the league,” said the coach. “Isaac Andalon was a double champion in the shot put and discus.”

He set a personal record of 118’ 9” in the discus.

“He really progressed throughout the year in the event, and he has a bright future,” added Wood of Andalon. “He is one of those rare athletes that can do so much. We are trying to prepare him for a decathlon this summer at the AAU Regional Qualifier in Oakdale.”

Cecilia Leon won the girls’ discus and came within one inch of winning the shot put also. Several distance runners ran well and scored a lot of points.

“Anastasia ran the 1600 and 3200 in the heat and ran tough races. It was good to see that kind of grit out of her. This group of freshmen and sophomores has excellent character, and we hope that we can add to their numbers in the next few years to get back to competing for league championships,” Wood said.

Riverbank will host the TVL Championship Meet this Thursday, May 10. Field events start at 3 p.m. with running events getting underway at 6 p.m.

 

Eagles Soar In Competition

Students from six junior high/middle schools in the area converged on the Riverbank High School campus on Thursday, May 3.

It was an afternoon of running, jumping and throwing, with most, but not all, events that the high school track and field athletes participate in. And although the Riverbank Eagles of Cardozo Middle School seemingly acting as hosts, it was RHS track and field coach Monte Wood and a large crew of high school athletes helping out moving hurdles on and off the track, and otherwise assisting around the stadium.

Escalon’s El Portal Middle School and Oakdale Junior High School athletes participated as did teams from several Modesto schools.

 

Riverbank News correspondent Ric McGinnis contributed to this report.