Tiger tracksters set for final meet
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Friday, May 22, 2009 12:14 PM PDT
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| Argus Observer file photo
Ontario's Tad Anzaldua leaps through the air during the Heinz track and field meet in this Argus Observer file photo. Ontario will be competing in the Oregon 4A state track meet beginning today. |
Ontario—In just his fourth year as head coach, Jeff Church has sparked a resurgence in the track and field program for the Ontario Tigers.
His first year, he started with 25 athletes and took eight to the state tournament. Today in Eugene, Church will walk onto Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon with 19 tracksters and a legitimate shot at taking home some hardware at the 4A state championships.
“It is quite a different scenario this time around. That’s for sure,” Church said. “This is what we have been working for. This is the ultimate goal of our program — to get it up to this level where they can compete at the state level with some of the best athletes. It is hard to get a state-quality group together at the same time and be competitive. We’re getting closer to that with a mix of veteran kids and younger kids that are coming along.”
Now the task is up to the likes of Matt Rankin, Matt Anthony, Kayla Uptmor and Shelbi Widner, as they embark on a tremendous journey starting at 10 a.m. PDT in Eugene.
Of the 19 Ontario participants, Rankin and Anthony make up two of the 10 on the boys side, while Uptmor and Widner make up two of the nine female athletes.
Church feels his boys team has the best shot at garnering some hardware, as they are entering state coming off a solid performance at the Greater Oregon League district championships with a second-place team finish.
On that day, the Tigers notched nine first-place, two seconds, and three third-place finishes to score 99 points, just six points shy of La Grande (105).
Along with the top two, Church also has Jake Turner, Tad Anzaldua, Robert Keyes, David Zamago, Anthony Sharp, Jace Salutregui, John Hamman and Jacob Ybarra (alternate) representing the boys squad.
“This is the strongest boys team I have had,” Church said. “We are looking for a lot of good things from them. The boys have a fair shot at competing for a title and have the potential to score points.”
Rankin, a senior, gets his final chance in his fourth straight year at the state level, as he takes on all challangers in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter races. Rankin will also run a leg in the boys 4x400-meter relay race.
Rankin’s biggest threats in each of his distance races will be Phoenix’s Elliott Jantzer and North Bend’s Trevor Berrian.
“He is ready to compete,” Church said of Rankin. “We all know, as coaches, the times he has put up aren’t his best times. He’s got faster races left in him. We know he can put up some good numbers.”
Anthony, who won the 100-, 200-, 400-meter and 4x400 relay races at districts, will compete in the 100-, 200- and relays this weekend. Anthony has the state’s the top times in the 100 (10.64) and 200 (21.92).
His competition in both sprint events includes, Sutherlin’s Greg Mock, North Bend’s Mike Forbes and Central’s Eric Phillips.
“Those are the two races where, if he runs what he’s capable of, he can come home with two gold medals,” Church said of Anthony.
Church said Anthony decided not to run the individual 400, so he can be fresh for the relay races.
The boys 4x100 relay team of Anzaldua, Keyes, Turner and Zamago boast the fourth-best time in the state at 43.91 seconds, behind No. 1-ranked Central (43.70) and No. 2 Philomath (43.71).
Church said some clean handoffs will be the key in finishing at the top.
“I know they can do it,” he said. “They have been progressing very nicely, and I know they have a top race left in them.”
On the girls side, Church has another solid group capable of some top times, as Uptmor and Widner will be supported by Elena Hammar, Keisha Mauer, Reanna Culjat, Gwen King, Jazmine Gordillo, Valerie Gallegos and Vianca Carrillo.
Last week, the 4x100 relay squad of Uptmor, Mauer, Hammar and Widner clocked in with a 10th-best state time of 52.01, and Church feels that crew has a good shot at some solid numbers.
“The 4x100 relay team is real close group. They have decided to put their individual accolades aside to concentrate on the relays,” Church said. “They will have to do well to advance. They are capable, and I expect them to rise to the occasion. If they can, we will see some fast times.”
The best competition in the girls 4x100 relay race comes out of Tillamook (49.95) and Marist (50.10).
Gordillo also has a solid opportunity in the discus, with her last toss earning her top honors at the district tournament.
Currently, Gordillo has the fifth-best distance in the event with a 111-foot, 3-inch mark.
Astoria’s Laura Bobeck (162-1) and Gladstone’s Taylor Aldredge (127-8) hold the top two distances.
When putting the year in perspective, Church said he was proud of this group and how far they have progressed.
