Story by Evelyn Diaz
Staff Writer

Photo by Clementine Evans
Online Managing Editor

The SPHS varsity track and field team put on an impressive display at the Rio Hondo/Pacific League Challenge on Saturday, March 1. Competing against several other schools, the team showcased their speed, endurance, and strength across numerous events. 

From the boys’ team, senior Logan Vargas placed ninth in the 200 meters, while senior David Eisenberg placed 13th. In the 400 meters, junior Aidan Chavez placed third with 51.68, while Vargas placed seventh with 53.36. 

Sophomore Michael Scarince took fourth in the 800 meters with 2:01.19 and placed second in the 1600 with 4:29.08. In the 1600, senior Adam Ruiz took fifth, followed by junior Dylan Shugg in ninth and senior Rocket McDonald in 10th. 

In the 3200 meters, senior Noah Aldana placed second with a time of 9:52.48. Shugg followed in third, and senior Ethan Kung placed seventh. 

On the girls’ team, senior Jacqueline Sides took first in the 100 meters, finishing 12.63. Sides also took fifth in the 200 meters. 

Senior Abigail Errington finished second in third in the 800 meters and second in the 1600. In the 800, senior Maya Lee, sophomore Amelie Fiss, and junior Rose Vandevelde finished back-to-back in sixth, seventh, and eighth. Lee took second in the 3200 meters with 12:05.46. 

The girls’ team took fourth in the 4×400 relay, run by junior Amada Cortes, Vandevelde, junior Eva Stephenson, and sophomore Alice Rowley. 

In field events, junior Cory Rodriguez took fifth in the men’s discus, while senior Sam Grifiths took second in the men’s pole vault and junior Noah Keller took second in the men’s triple jump. Junior Clementine Evans placed fifth in the women’s pole vault, and sophomore Evan Taylor took second in the women’s long jump. 

With momentum on their side, the SPHS varsity team now looks ahead to their next challenge at the Redondo Invitational on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.