By Sage Tippie
At the Desert Region Meet on Saturday, May 5 with finals on Saturday, May 11, both men’s and women’s track and field teams took second against 11 other teams in the valley.
Men’s track and field conquered at regionals behind Bishop Gorman with 135.5 points. In the relays, the Cougs excelled, taking first in the 4×200, second in the 4×100, third in the 4×400 and fifth in the 4×800. In pole vault, Coronado filed at the top three spots with senior Keaton Daniel earning first, senior Kevin Burdalski earning second, and sophomore Ashton Zaidi earning third. In the triple jump, senior Andrew Burdalski took fifth while senior Semaj Bolin took fourth. The Cougs took the hurdles by storm, with junior Justin Watterson taking first in the 300m and 110m hurdles, and senior Reese Kimball taking second in the 300s and fifth in the 110s. In the 800m run, junior Brendan Graves took first and junior Elijah Hernandez took first in the 400m dash.
“This season was one of the most fun I’ve ever had,” senior Chancellor Williams said. “It was a very successful year for us at regionals, and I’m really looking forward to the state meet and seeing how we stack up against everyone else.”
Women’s track and field took second behind Silverado with 105 points. The Cougs dominated the relays, taking first in the 4×800, third in the 4×400, and fifth in the 4×100. Sophomore Daniel Damiani took third in the pole vault while senior Shay Mentley earned second in the high jump. In the 400m dash, freshmen Kelly Denninghoff and Maddie Hofman earned fourth and fifth. In the 3200m run, junior Claire Rawlins and sophomore Kylee Baird and raced to victory placing fourth and fifth. In the 300m hurdles, senior Reagan Raimer took third and sophomore Cayna Love took fifth and in the 100m hurdles, seniors Emily Wickens and Brianna Wilson took fourth and fifth.
“This season was different from any season before,” Raimer said. “There are different people, and I’ve been running at different times overall trying to adjust. Regionals was very uplifting to compete at because it meant that I had made it through the season and was still capable of competing well. Regionals allows the best of the best come together and train, increase bonds, and compete. Altogether, a good time for track and a good way to end the season.”
The Cougs will conclude their season with the State meet at Desert Oasis on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.
