GLENDALE — Fresh off a fourth-place finish at the CIF State Finals in cross-country, the Crescenta Valley High distance runners are hoping to carry that success over to the track and field season.
Led by Claire Collison, Shelby Pock and Rachel Lange, distance races will definitely be a forté for the Falcons this season.
"Our strength is in our distance team," Crescenta Valley Coach Mark Evans said. "We are going to score a lot of points in distance."
While big points will come via the distance events, the rest of the events have potential to be strong as well.
Led by Keaton Ray and Ashley Baucham in the high jump and Kristen Muche and Ashley Synder in the shot put and discus, the Falcons are hoping to make a splash in the field.
"Our field events are much stronger and we are more experienced [than last season]," Evans said.
Experience is something not lacking at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.
"This is the best all-around track team since I've been here," said fourth-year Tologs Coach Eddie Gorton. "They are focused, they want to run and they want to be here."
Pacing the Tologs will be 300-meter hurdles standout Heather Riley, who is undefeated in league meets and is aiming for her third straight championship in the event.
Riley and teammate pole vaulter Kathyrn Poet both qualified for the CIF Southern Section Final.
Gorton said he believes that five or six of his athletes can qualify for CIF. They include Erin Hartwig and Katie Hernandez in the sprints and Amanda Rincon in the 1,600.
The Tologs opened their Mission League schedule with a win over Chaminade on March 1.
For Hoover, the team plans on taking advantage of another field sport, soccer, and turn it into track success.
After recruiting a number of players from the soccer team, Hoover Coach Jack Sallakian hopes the girls and the track squad both benefit from the experience.
"The soccer girls decided to join track because there is no soccer conditioning," Sallakian said. "They can come out and help us and stay conditioned.
"The stuff we do in track is going to make them better soccer players."
Some girls to keep an eye on for the Tornadoes include CIF finalist Annie Sahl in the sprints, Gwen King in the hurdles, Shannon Azizi in the pole vault and distance runner Amy Ingram.
Across town, Hoover's archrival, Glendale, is looking for improvement from last season's 2-3 Pacific League campaign.
