Girls track and field takes home CIF-SS Championship

Amelia Scharff

The girls track and field team won the CIF-SS Division III Championship on June 12 at Estancia High School to complete its season this year. Members of the squad also took home individual championships in events such as long-jump and the 4×100-meter relay race. 

Long-distance runner Daniela Quintero ’22 said she found her experience winning the championship to be gratifying, especially given the circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Winning a CIF title is always a good feeling,” Quintero said. “This team’s talent and depth in several different field and running events were distinctively special. Early in the season, we found success as a team, so to see that carry on into the postseason was really rewarding.”

At the meet, long jumper Anna Jennings ’23 won the championship for the long-jump event with a leap of 18 feet, 5 inches. 

Additionally, Julia Hines ’21, Gabby Odoom ’21, Chance Walker ’21 and Lauryn Milburn ’22 won the championship for the 4×100-meter relay race. The squad ran a time of 48.50 seconds. Milburn said that she is really proud of her teammates for accomplishing one of their goals this season. 

“It was so exciting and incredibly rewarding hearing our team name announced over the loudspeaker,” Milburn said. “It felt  like all of our hard work during the season paid off and even though we met some obstacles and changes along the way, claiming the victory made it all worth it.”

Hines also said that she was very excited about her team’s performance, especially considering she is a senior and that was likely one of her last meets with her squad. 

“Winning that race was one of the most exciting and intense moments I’ve experienced at a track meet,” Hines said.  “It was my last track meet ever and it meant a lot to come out with that championship title with my amazing teammates. It’s a great memory that I’ll never forget.”

Although the boys squad did not win the championship this year, long-distance runner Isaac Dienstag ’21 won the CIF-SS Championship for the 800-meter race. Dienstag ran a time of 1:57.79 seconds.