It was another great day to be a Bruin at the CIF Southern Section Track & Field Masters Meet on Saturday, where the best athletes in Southern California gathered to decide who’s representing the area at next weekend’s State Meet. Wilson once again proved itself one of the top programs in the state as the Bruins won three championships, and qualified seven entries for State.
“Everyone stepped up today, I’m really happy with how we did,” said Wilson coach Neil Nelson.
Nelson and his fellow coaches had some anxiety early in the day, as reigning state champion high jumper Rachel Glenn missed the opening height twice.
“Yeah she scared me,” said Nelson. “But she settled in.”
“I was so stressed, I was like, ‘Am I not going to make it?’” said Glenn. “My coaches settled me down, it was all them.”
Glenn easily cleared 5-2 on her third attempt, then soared over 5-4 and 5-6, and was jumping by herself at 5-8, which she cleared as well. Glenn remains California’s Golden Girl–she also won the 300 hurdles with a time of 41.01, and qualified for State in the 100 hurdles with a third-place finish in 14.32. She had the fastest split for Wilson’s girls’ 4×400, which took fourth with Diona Griffith, Maya Bryson, and Tyler Nettles.
The Wilson boys’ team had a great day as well, with both Armando Bryson and Jesus Nichol advancing in the 800; Bryson took second after going out fast and leading for the first 500 meters, and Nichol ran a hard last 100 to move into the sixth and final qualifying position.
The final gold of the day came from the boys’ 4×400, which ran a new state-leading 3:13.86 despite missing Andrew Richards, who was out with an illness. Bryson ran a great leg to start the race off, and Jordan Weimer, Philip Jefferson, and anchor Seaver Cardoza brought home the title.
“We can still get faster in that event, and we’re excited for Fresno,” said Nelson.
Girls’ 100 Hurdles: Asjah Atkinson (St. Anthony, 1st, 14.08), Rachel Glenn (Wilson, 3rd, 14.32)
Boys’ 800: Armando Bryson (Wilson, 2nd, 1:55.47), Jesus Nichol (Wilson, 6th, 1:55.95)
Girls’ 300 Hurdles: Rachel Glenn (Wilson, 1st, 41.01)
Girls’ 4×400: Long Beach Poly (2nd, 3:44.15; Quwshaya Peters, Saundria Martin, Samina Haddad, Kenya Payne), Wilson (4th, 3:45.98; Diona Griffith, Maya Bryson, Rachel Glenn, Tyler Nettles)
Boys’ 4×400: Wilson (1st, 3:13.86; Armando Bryson, Jordan Weimer, Philip Jefferson, Seaver Cardoza), Long Beach Poly (4th, 3:15.07; Everett Steward, Jaelen Knox, Octavian Hall, Jaelen Johnson)
Girls’ High Jump: Rachel Glenn (Wilson, 1st, 5-8)
