On the girls’ side, the Crescenta Valley distance duo of Claire Collison and Rachel Lange is hoping strong races in the finals can lead to a trip to the Masters Meet for the second consecutive season.
“Claire and Rachel have a good shot,” veteran Falcons Coach Mark Evans said. “In all of the Southern Section, they are in the top 10 in both events. I definitely think they have the ability to go on.”
Both are entered in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter Division I races after strong performances at the prelims. Collison finished with the second-best times in her two races (4:46.61; 10:47.41), while Lange churned out the third-fastest time in the 1,600 (4:56.93) and fourth best in the 3,200 (10:56.92).
The only other area girl in competition will be Flintridge Prep’s Erica Slater.
Slater will compete in the Division IV 300 hurdles after she finished with the eighth-best time in the prelims (48.11).
On the boys’ side, Falcons seniors Zack Torres and Eric Kleinsasser will run in the Division I 3,200 race. Torres ran the sixth-best time (9:27.08) in prelims, while Kleinsasser came in just two spots behind (9:28.32).
Evans knows the pair will have to improve upon their qualifying times to keep their season alive.
“Both are going to have to run faster [at finals to move on],” Evans said. “It could go under 9:20, maybe 9:15.”
The final Crescenta Valley athlete to compete will be Mike Sheridan.
The reigning All-Area Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year snagged the final spot in the 800 at prelims (1:56.71) and faces off against a tough field.
