Story by Harriet Godson
Staff Writer

Photo by anonymous contributor

On Saturday, May 16, 20 South Pasadena High School athletes competed at the track and field CIF SS Finals. On the girls’ side, the 4 by 100-meter team, juniors Kara Wang and Evan Taylor, and seniors Sophia Allen and Naya Holden, finished out their season strong with a personal best of 48.72 seconds for fourth place. Rounding out the competition in the race was Calabasas High School, the number one seeded team and the third fastest team in the country, which dropped the baton in a shocking turn of events. Their mistake left an extra spot on the podium up for grabs, as well as taking them out of the running for the state meet. 

Taylor also competed in the long jump, placing eighth with a jump of 17 feet and 2 inches. Meanwhile, junior Lily Kimura took sixth place in high jump, matching her current personal best with a jump of 5 feet and 2 inches. Finally, senior Elizabeth Rosenberg medaled in both discus and shot put, with throws of 107 feet and 2 inches and 33 feet and 6 inches, respectively.

On the track, sophomores Luke Kwak, Ryder Carlson, Ari Schneider, and Tyler Jung placed fourth in the 4 by 800-meter race. Meanwhile, senior Adain Chavez finished out his high school career with a time of 49.4 seconds in the 400m.

Junior Michael Scarince and seniors Dylan Shugg and Kai Tilley competed in the 3200-meter race and took places on the podium. Scarince took first with a time of 8:58 and secured his spot at the Masters meet next Saturday. Tilley placed fifth and ran a seven-second personal best of 9:12. Shugg followed shortly after to take sixth place with a time of 9:18. 

Additionally, Scarince ran the 1600m and took third place after running a personal best of 4:08.94, just short of Coach Michael Parkinson’s decades-old school record of 4:08.84.

As many athletes’ seasons came to a close, the Tigers showed out with an incredible performance that showcased the season’s hard work.