Top times by Buchanan girls, Clovis North boys relay teams highlight Day 1 at state meet

It was survive and advance for all of the athletes competing Friday in the 101st CIF state track and field championships at Buchanan High’s Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

The field of elite athletes was trimmed to Saturday’s finalists in all events except the 3,200-meter run, which goes straight to the finals.

Central Section athletes who made the cut include:

▪ Qualifying leaders in both 400 relays, by the Buchanan girls (46.92 seconds) and the Clovis North boys (41.15). Each event had three nine-team heats with schools vying to make the nine-team final.

Clovis North’s Caleb Foster anchored the final stretch to give the Broncos the best time this season. He also won his heat in the 110 hurdles in a wind legal 13.67. The final of the 110 will feature the top three times in the state with Jamar Marshall of St. Mary’s-Stockton (13.64), followed by Foster and Warren Williams of Merrill West (13.83).

Foster’s hurdles time broke a 46-year-old Central Section record, according to section track historian Ron Blackwood. The previous mark was set in 1973 by Tom Andrews of West (13.6).

Also in the 110, Jadyn Marshall of St. Mary’s, who is the No. 2 freshman in the state, had a false start.

It was a busy day for Foster, who also qualified in the long jump after topping out at 23 feet, 10 inches.

Later, he qualified in the triple jump (47-7.25). Namir Hemphill of Upland had the best mark of 48-2.50.

▪ Buchanan discus throwers Kyler Van Grouw (176 feet 3 inches) and Christian Johnson (177-4) advanced. State leaders Aidan Elbettar of Newport Harbor and Carlos Aviles of Ventura missed the cut.

▪ Meagen Lowe of Buchanan had the fourth-best time (4:51.34) in the 1,600. Mia Barnett of Village Christian had the best time (4:50.04). Lowe is also set to run the 3,200.

▪ Clovis West senior Dante Chachere advanced with a 22-1.5 in the long jump.

▪ Kingsburg senior Kalobe Jimenez (14.17) moved on in the 110 hurdles. Jamar Marshall of St. Mary’s led the way with a wind-legal 13.64.

▪ Fowler senior Jocelynn Budwig led all discus throwers with 160-4. She was also tops in the shot put and will defend her title on Saturday.

▪ Clovis North freshman Takiya Cenci (55.31) advanced in the 400. Katrina Wright of University City had the best time (54.17).

▪ Buchanan senior Shelby Daniele had the sixth-best time in the 100 with 11.85. Chinyere Okoro of Amador Valley had the top time of 11.56.

▪ Naythn Scruggs of Clovis North and Xavier Worthy of Central qualified in the 100, both clocking in at 10.65 Kenan Christon of Madison led the way with a wind-aided 10.32. He’s set to play for USC next season. By the way, Fresno State opens against the Trojans at the Coliseum.

▪ DeAndra McDaniel of Selma qualified (46-6.5) in the triple jump, as well as Sanger’s Kosi Agina (45-8).

▪ Buchanan senior Haley Abirached advanced in the triple jump (39-7.5). Central junior Simone Johnson had the 12th best mark of 38-1.25. Elise Miller of San Pasqual had the best mark (40-2.75).

▪ Clovis West senior Elizabeth Funk was one of 12 vaulters to qualify with the same mark of 12-4; the group includes Buchanan senior Haley Barham.

▪ Central senior Amethyst Harper moved on in the high jump among eight who cleared 5-5. Tulare Union senior Mallory Elick won a jump-off to take the last spot.

▪ Redwood junior Brandon Andrade in 300 hurdles (37.64).

For complete results, go here.

On Saturday, tickets are $14 general, $8 children under 13, students with ASB cards and seniors 65-plus.

This story was originally published May 24, 2019 at 6:21 PM.