Athena Favero (left) takes the stick from a relay teammate last season at the state track meet in Las Vegas.
Carson High lost some valuable senior track standouts, but the cupboard is far from bare.
There’s Asa Carter (long jump and triple jump), Ian Schulz (shot put and discus), Greg Wallace (high jump) and Ian Van Rensselaer (distance), all of whom are capable of chalking up valuable points.
Carter was fourth in both the long jump and triple jump (22-1, 44-4) at state last year, Wallace was fifth at state in the high jump (6-4), but had a best of 6-6 last year. Schulz was third in the discus (157-11) and fifth in the shot (47-3 3/4). Van Rensselaer is coming off an injury this fall, but is running pain free, according to coach Robert Maw.
“We have 74 (boys) out there right now,” Maw said. “It’s great. It’s different.
“Besides the two jumping events we may plug Asa in the 300 hurdles and maybe the 400. We’re certainly going to use him in four events. Greg Wallace is coming off his football injury (neck). He went 6-6 last year, and our goal for him is 6-8 or 6-9. He wants to go 6-10. Ian had a good year last year, and he’s certainly capable of bettering his marks.”
Schulz threw 52-4 3/4 and 167-11, respectively. Wallace can also long jump and run the 400.
In the sprints, Carson has Jesus Lopez Rodriguez (12.0 in 100 and 54.81 in 400), Brandon Basa (24.02 200, 54.02 400) and Johnny Barahona (12.64 in the 100, 25.14 200 and 58.94 400). A wildcard is exchange student Thomas Gsell, who Maw said is the third-fastest on the team behind Carter and Wallace.
In the middle distance and distance events, Carson has Hector Gomez-Barrios, who ran the 400 last year (51.62), but has switched to the 800. Van Rensselaer ran a 2:02 split in a relay last year, a 4:35.16 in the 1600 and a 10:48.99 in the 3200. Another point scorer could be Miles Bean (5:06 in 1600).
“If Miles works hard, he could have a successful season,” Maw said.
Logan Menzel and Chris Miranda back up Schulz in the weight events, while Dylan Mayo could score points in the jumps. Adam Maw should score well in the triple jump and high hurdles.
Girls
The big story here is who isn’t competing for the Senators this year.
ValerieSue Meyer (400, relays), Caroline Gabica (jumps) and Hailey Palotas (100, jumps) have decided to pursue other interests.
“Our girls team is down in numbers, and I’m not happy about it,” Maw said Tuesday afternoon. “We have a lot of young girls, freshmen and sophomores, that I’m excited about.”
The top returnee is Athena Favero, who runs the 100 (13.26), 200 (27.35), 100 hurdles (17.26) and 300 hurdles (45.73). She also was a key member of Carson’s relay squads.
“We’re going to try her in the high jump this year besides doing sprints and the hurdles,” Maw said.
Favero was third at state in the 300 hurdles a year ago.
Sophomore Abby Paulson (33-4 TJ), Erica Basa and Dajarrah Navarro (15-0 LJ and 28-9 1/2 TJ) give the Senators three solid jumpers. Navarro will also be in the high jump (4-6) along with Audrey Breeding.
Blanca Sosa, Josefina Ortiz and Abigail Pradere give Carson some strength in the middle distance and distance events. All three are capable of running everything from the 800 to the 3200. Senior Jessie Balkwell figures to chalk up points in the distance events, too.
“Blanca looks really strong right now,” Maw said. “I look for those top be in the top 3 in the 800.”
In the weight events, Azlynn McFadden (30-5 1/2, 109-0) and Makenzie McDaniel (28-0 3/4, 98-0) are Carson’s top throwers coming into the season.