Track and field athletes make it to CCS

After the team placed seventh in SCVALS on May 10, senior Hannah Johnson, who throws the shot put and discus, and Eric Ringsrud, who does the high jump, made it as far as semifinals for CCS. Sophomore high jumper and triple jumper Puck DeRoos and long-distance runner Steven Sum advanced through semifinals to finals on May 18. 

Although Johnson just missed making it to finals, she finished her high school track career with a personal best and school record of 116’08 in discus. 

With a new personal best in high jump, DeRoos made it to finals with a mark of 5’2” in the semifinals. She will be traveling to LA to compete in seven different events in a two day meet. 

“The sky is the limit with her,” Coach Archie Ljepava said. “She has had personal bests every week and has impressed me and our coaching staff with her athleticism.”

Placing fourth in the boys 3200m run, Sum also made it to finals. If he places within the top three on May 24th, Sum will advance to the state meet. He is currently one of the top runners in the state. Ljepava believes he has a good chance of breaking the school record in the 3200m event. 

Ending the season with personal records and a positive outlook on the upcoming years, Ljepava is thrilled about the team’s overall performance. 

“The season definitely ended on a high note,” Ljepava said. “Numerous athletes got their personal bests and everyone was happy with how they competed.”

Expecting both new and returning athletes next season, Ljepava is confident for another successful season. 

“We were just behind the best in placements,” Ljepava said. “Although some of our strongest athletes are graduating, we have a good group coming in to Saratoga and a great group standing.”

Ljepava is anticipating a good turnout with scores in the coming years with his “total group of track athletes bought into working so hard.”