The562’s cross country and track & field coverage is sponsored by an anonymous donation, in appreciation of Coach Ron Allice.
Long Beach Poly coach Crystal Irving and Wilson coach Neil Neilson were arguing playfully about who was going to take home their jointly-owned CIF-SS Division 1 boys’ track and field championship plaque.
“Ain’t this how it’s supposed to be?!” crowed Wilson coach Shannon Fisher. “Ain’t this how it’s supposed to be?!”
For the last several years, it’s exactly how it’s been. Long Beach once again proved itself Speed City, once again proved itself the City of Champions, and once again ended a huge track meet with the remaining spectators and competitors looking on as dozens of Long Beach kids celebrated their accomplishments.
It was the first shared team title at the CIF-SS Meet since 1954, according to PrepCalTrack. It was a jam-packed day for the local schools as all but one Division 1 championship race featured at least one Long Beach athlete, with some featuring as many as five.
“Long Beach did their thing,” said Poly coach Crystal Irving. “Props to Wilson, props to Jason (Parra of Millikan) in the 1600 and 3200, Long Beach showed up here and I’m glad to be included in that number. There’s so many schools in California but our kids from Long Beach are special.”
Click here to read about Long Beach Poly pulling off a historic double CIF-SS team championship
Click here to see a great gallery of PHOTOS from Saturday
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