11SPORTSAPRIL 27, 2012

Iliad

According to hurdles coach Robbie Sevier, the top hurdler for the boys 110m race is Ryan Galloway, a senior who has been on varsity for four years with a PR of 15.22s. The top hurdler for the boys 300m race is Chris French, a junior who has been on varsity for three years with a PR of 40.97s. Sevier also wants to give a special recognition to team captain Matt Basinger, a senior who is second on varsity behind Galloway and French.

Tate began jumping in the sixth grade and prefers high jump to long jump. Tate is happiest while “fl ying through the air” and clearing tremendous heights. Tate’s record for high jump is 5 ft. 4 in. and long jump is 17 ft. 6 in. She hopes to improve these records throughout the season and pursue jumping at a collegiate level.

Junior Madison James leads the girls’ discus and shot put programs. James has achieved much success in her meets this year and is ranked 5th in the Palomar League. “Madison’s best shotput throw is 32.9 feet and her best discus throw is 95 feet,” Burian said.

The top three varsity girls are sophomore Sophie Smith, who has been on varsity for two years, senior Savanah Howe, who has been on varsity for two years and freshman Jill Godfrey, who entered the season in the varsity level.

Distance running

Sprints

Pole-vaulting

Hurdles

High and long jump

Discus and shot put

Babiash started jumping as a freshman, and his favorite aspect is competing and reaching a new record. Babiash’s record is 22 ft. 6 in. and he is contemplating jumping at a collegiate level but wants to focus more on football. Babiash wants to “break the long jump record this year and hopefully go far in CIF.”

Despite this particular event’s diffi culty, Poway High’s athletes are bonding well this season. On the boys’ side, junior Sean Poole has been a consistent asset to the team. At the Mt. Carmel Meet on April 18, he cleared a height of 14 ft., which was a new personal record.

On the girls’ end, senior Emily Mendoza can be relied upon to score points for the team at every competition. With her new height of 11 ft. 10 in., not only did she beat her old personal record, but she also beat the school record. “I have been working on beating the record since my sophomore year. I hope to clear an even higher height to make the record more long-lasting,” Mendoza said.

CARLY METZStaff Writer

CARLY METZStaff Writer

LEAH SARNOFFEntertainment Editor

NATASHA ORAHAFeature Editor

NATASHA ORAHAFeature Editor

MAURA DUGGANStaff Writer

Emily Mendoza

Sean Poole

McMahon started jumping his sophmore year upon request of former basketball coach, Khalid Maxie. His record is 6 ft. 7 in. and hopes to further his jumping abilities at a collegiate level. McMahon’s favorite aspect of high jumping is that “it is a solo activity” and he enjoys how he can either “be happy that I did well, or be mad that I did bad and only be able to blame myself.”

Dillon McMahon

Derek Babiash

Tiffany Tate

Madison James

Charlie Long is the leader of the Palomar League in both boys’ shot put and boys’ discus. Of the two, he is stronger in discus, throwing 145.2 feet. Long is ranked 3rd in North County and 12th in Southern California. “He hasn’t lost this year, and he has a good chance of winning league,” coach Phil Burian said.

Charlie Long

and Savannah Howe

All distance track runners race in the 800m, the 1600m and the 3200m events. According to distance coach Mark Embrey, varsity boys are dominated by the “Big Three,” seniors Chris Tansey (varsity for three years), Michael Parkes (three) and Eric Hayen (four).

Chris Tansey, Eric Hayen

The top girls are newer to the varsity level. Sophomore Larissa Johnson is top for the 100m race with a personal record of 17.77s. Freshman Maddie “Blue” Murray is top for the 300m race with a personal record of 46.57s.

and Maddie Murray

Ryan Galloway and Cecily Gilson has been highly competitive since her freshman year, and currently

is ranked 2nd in Palomar League for her three sprinting races – the 100m with a personal record of 12.54, the 200m with a personal record of 25.24 and the 400m

When it comes to the boys, senior Evan Gray can always be counted on to lead the 4 by 100 relay team to victory as the last leg of the race. Additionally, his success in the 100m and 200m sprints has resulted in him holding the current PHS record. He is ranked second for the 200m and fi rst for the 100m.

Evan Gray

Cecily Gilson

Track stars in the spotlight

Chris French

Larissa Johnson

and Michael Parkes

Sophie Smith, Jill Godfrey

At the top of their game: Sports stars (from left to right) Dillon McMahon, Cecily Gilson, Ryan Galloway, Tiffany Tate and Sean Poole are among many of the extraordinary athletes on this year’s track and fi eld team. LEAH SARNOFF// The Iliad