Rebels grab league titles

GLENDALE — Flintridge Prep first-year track and field Coach Nick Ponticello could see improvement from his cast of athletes heading down the stretch in the regular season.

Ponticello hoped that success would spill over at the Prep League finals. Ponticello guessed right.

Five Flintridge Prep athletes won league championships at the league final Thursday night at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont. The Rebels’ girls placed third in the team competition, while the boys’ squad was fourth in its portion of the meet.

Leading the way for the Flintridge Prep girls were Brooke Elby, Arielle Baptiste and Stephanie Bathke. Elby finished first in the 300 hurdles and 400-meter races. Baptiste was first in the long jump with a mark of 16 feet 8 inches and the triple jump (34-1). Bathke clocked 12.61 seconds to take the 100 and then won the 200.

The trio advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division IV prelims, which will be held May 15 at Carpinteria High.

“We had a good showing,” Ponticello said. “I was blown away by what Bathke did out there.

“She just blew the competition out of the water in both races. Elby was impressive and so was Baptiste.”

In the boys’ competition, Tyler Shum finished first in the 100 and 200. Jason Bunn clocked 10 minutes 15 seconds to take the 3,200 title.

“Tyler had to fight to win the 100 and then come back strong in the 200,” Ponticello said. “Jason has been training for this all season and it’s another big race for him in his journey.”

Also reaching the prelims from Flintridge Prep were Dot Silverman in the 1,600- and 3,200 events, Elby in the high jump, Katherine Hurrell in the pole vault and the 4x400 relay team of Bathke, Samantha Davies, Casey Cousineau and Elby.

Silverman took second in both races, Elby was third in the high jump, Hurrell was third in the pole vault and the relay squad placed second.