Olympian High School’s Hugo Soberanes was a busy man at this year’s Mesa League track and field finals while collecting three gold medals and one silver medal in his four events on the oval May 2 at Otay Ranch High School.
Soberanes won gold medals in the 4×400 relay, 200- and 400-meter dashes and a silver medal in the 4×100 relay.
He qualified for this Saturday’s San Diego Section prelims in all four events.
“It’s pretty crazy, I’m extremely happy but my legs are tired,” confessed Soberanes, a senior, who earned honors as the Mesa League Co-Track Athlete of the Meet. “I know I could do better but I’m not complaining.”
Soberanes opened the meet as Olympian finished with a time of 43.64 to place runner-up to 4×100 event champion Otay Ranch (43.10).
The Eagle sprinter came back to win the 400 dash in 49.54 to edge Otay Ranch junior Edric Picatoste (50.11).
Soberanes completed his individual double by winning the 200 dash in 22.63 to edge Picatoste (22.78) and Eastlake junior Jerome Patterson (22.82) in a photo finish.
The 200-400 double is not easy as the events come not too far apart in the program and require different skill sets to win.
Soberanes picked up his third gold medal in the meet-concluding 4×400 relay with teammates Johnathan Lard, Cameron Ackerson and Trent Yamamoto. The quartet timed 3:29.52 to finish ahead of Otay Ranch (second, 3:31.54) and Bonita Vista (third, 3:31.98).
Soberanes shared the 2019 Mesa League Co-Track Athlete of the Meet award with Otay Ranch senior Justin Mulvany, who recovered from a crushing defeat in the 1600 run to crush the field in the 3200 run.
Mulvany was running in tandem with Bonita Vista senior Jonathan Kelly and Olympian senior Eric Simmons for much of the 1600, with Mulvany and Kelly eventually pulling ahead in a pace-for-pace duel.
With 200 meters to go, Kelly proved he could not only keep up with Mulvany but broke away to win with a personal record time of 4:28.65. Mulvany, who later said he waited too long to put on a game-breaking spurt, attempted a late comeback down the straightaway but fell short in a season best 4:29.71.
Simmons finished third in 4:31.14, a personal record.
Overall, five runners recorded a PR in the race. Bonita Vista senior Christian Salt finished fourth in 4:36.83 while Otay Ranch sophomore Grant Bice was fifth in 4:38.85.
Otay Ranch junior Colby Parise finished sixth in 4:39.86, followed by Olympian freshman Andres Aguilar in seventh place with a PR of 4:43.66.
“I knew he (Mulvany) would be the competition,” Kelly said. “I knew I had to either take it out from the start or stay with him and hope to beat him with a kick. I did a little of both.
“The second lap I settled into a good pace. As the race went on I kept waiting for him to kick and when he didn’t, I took off with 200 meters to go. I went and took it out fast on the straightaway.”
Mulvany was visibly upset with himself after the race for the miscue in strategy.
Three hours later, however, he gathered himself together to put on a performance rarely seen.
The Mustang distance standout let it be known to everyone that he was going to win the 3200 —and win by a commanding margin. He let his anger do the running for him as he broke out to a 100-meter lead barely into the first lap.
He broke the remaining pack midway through the race. The remaining runners only closed the distance as Mulvany began to ease up on the final lap en route to cruising to a winning time of 9:41.07.
His fast start, however, did draw four other runners (two each from the Mesa League and South Bay League in the combined field) under the 10-minute mark and allowed 23 of the 31 runners in the race to set either personal or season record times.
Bonita Vista senior Mario Barone moved up to finish second in 9:46.54 while Kelly settled for third place in 9:53.49.
Otay Ranch senior Joel Talamayan was fourth in 10:00.28.
Overall, 12 runners finished under 10:30, including six from the Mesa League. Salt finished fifth in 10:12.59 while Parise was sixth in 10:18.10.
The times for Barone and Salt were both personal records. Barone raised his arms in elation as he crossed the finish line.
“I couldn’t believe I got second,” exclaimed Barone, whose previous best time in the distance this season was 10:01.54 in a dual meet at Otay Ranch on April 24.
Salt dropped six seconds from the April 24 meet.
“My original plan was to double in winning the mile and two-mile,” explained Mulvany, who is ranked fourth in the section in the 3200 distance. “I was pretty upset when I lost in the mile. That motivated me in the two-mile. I wasn’t going for a fast time. It was my race to win.”
Girl power
Eastlake’s girls team could be primed to make a run for the Division I championship. As it was, the Titans blasted the field at the league finals with 262 points to nearly double the point total of runner-up Otay Ranch (143.5).
Olympian finished a distant third with 68 points, followed by Bonita Vista (63 points), Sweetwater (48.5 points) and Chula Vista (17 points).
Eastlake capped the meet with an exclamation mark by setting yet another school record in the 4×400 relay with a time of 3:58.45 to better the mark of 3:59.13 the foursome of Ana and Luz Mercado, Blanca McCormick and Sarah Davis set at the Arcadia Invitational in early April.
Ana Mercado finished the meet with three gold medals and one silver while twin sister Luz finished with three gold medals. Blanca McCormick finished with two gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal while Sarah Davis had one gold medal and one fourth-place medal.
Ana Mercado, who earned Mesa League Track Athlete of the Meet honors, won the high jump by clearing 5-2, a personal record. She finished second in the 400 dash with a time of 58.31 to Olympian senior Adaeze Noble (56.72).
Luz Mercado won the 800 in 2:18.79 and the 1600 in 5:18.59 for a pair of individual golds.
McCormick finished second in the 100 dash (a PR 12.82) and third in the 200 dash (26.16) besides winning two relay golds.
“It’s pretty cool,” Ana Mercado said. “Last year I got two silver medals and one fifth. To come back this year and win three events was pretty cool. It will be exciting to see how we can finish in CIF.”
Eastlake junior Kalah Bateman won the 100 dash (12.16) and 200 dash (25.16), the latter a PR, while Titan senior Nyha Kidd doubled in winning the 100 low hurdles (a PR 15.79) and 300 hurdles (47.64).
Eastlake won the meet opening 4×100 relay in 49.38. McCormick, Ana Mercado, Kidd and Bateman each ran legs.
The Titans displayed their penchant for excellence in field events as well as seniors Natalia Cortes (10-6), Renna Cozza (10-6) and Olivia Czedladko (9-0) finished 1-2-3 in the girls pole vault and senior Gianna Bostic won the long jump with a personal record jump of 16-0.
Of note, Otay Ranch senior Kaylee Hewat Lanier doubled in winning the girls shot put (34-4) and discus throw (96-6).
Far and away
- Eastlake freshman Melissa Mekitarian shocked the field in the girls 3200 by winning in a personal record 11:49.74. She took the lead early and kept expanding it to win by a whopping margin of 28 seconds.
“I just tried to go fast,” she said in somewhat unassuming fashion. “I kept a steady pace for the first mile, then I pulled up the pace.”
- Southwest senior Esteban Magana captured South Bay League Male Track Athlete of the Meet honors after recording a distance triple.
He set the pace in both leagues by winning the 800 run in 1:59.11 and the 1600 in 4:23.16. He closed out a marathon performance by winning the league title 3200 in 9:45.14.
Castle Park junior Estella Bustillos doubled in winning South Bay League girls titles in the 1600 (a season best 5:35.18) and 3200 (a personal record 12:27.23) while finishing second in the 800 run (2:32.27) to Mater Dei Catholic junior Jordan Norman (season best 2:29.11).
Norman also won the 400 dash in 59.28 in another season best time to rack up honors as the South Bay League Female Track Athlete of the Meet.
Castle Park senior Natoya Davis earned South Bay League Female Field Athlete of the Meet honors by winning the shot put (34-4.75) and discus throw (a PR 100-3).
Fast lane
- The Mesa League 100 dash featured a photo finish between three runners: Eastlake’s Patterson won in 11.24, followed by Otay Ranch senior Dylan Zolezzi in 11.27 and Otay Ranch senior Steven Filippi in 11.42. All times were personal records.
- Olympian junior Julio Leon won the Mesa League boys 800 in a season best 2:01.21 ahead of Bonita Vista senior Harrison Ing (2:01.53) and Olympian sophomore Cameron Ackerson (2:01.85).
- Olympian junior Anthony Gilpin won the Mesa League boys 110 hurdles in a personal record time of 15.30 and appeared to have a double within reach until he tipped over the last hurdle in the 300 intermediates to allow Otay Ranch junior Nathan Mestre to win with a PR time of 40.31.
Horse power
Dual meet champion Otay Ranch topped Mesa League boys teams at the league finals with 205 points to best runner-up Eastlake (127 points). Olympian finished third with 120 points, Bonita Vista was fourth with 100 points and Sweetwater finished fifth with 46 points, followed by Chula Vista with 15 points.
“We are proud to have the boys title come back to Otay Ranch, the kids really worked their tails off to win a championship,” Mustang coach Julian Valdez said. “I could not be more happier to work with these athletes and see the growth they made as a team.
“The meet was a real team effort. Without the help of Judd Rachow (Otay Ranch athletic director), Francine Koopman (Eastlake coach) and Jaime Romero (Sweetwater coach) I could not have put this meet on. The meet ran early, which was a testament to the efficiency of the meet and our conference. We had a great showing from our athletes as well.”
Go green
Hilltop won its last four dual meets in the move this season to the South Bay League. The Lancers topped the boys field with 110 points to best San Ysidro (97 points) at the league finals.
- Senior Esteban Farias doubled in winning the boys 110 high hurdles (17.09) and 300 intermediate hurdles (42.08), both PR times, while freshman Ana Zamitiz won the girls 300 hurdles (51.46), placed third in the 400 dash (a PR 1:04.15) and fifth in the high jump (a PR 4-4).
- Senior Adolfo Cisneros was second in the boys 800 run in a PR 2:03.00.
Metro Conference Honor Roll
South Bay League
Boys dual champion: San Ysidro
Girls dual champion: Castle Park
Most Valuable Male Track Athlete: Esteban Magana (Southwest)
Most Valuable Female Track Athlete: Jordan Norman (Mater Dei Catholic)
Most Valuable Male Field Athlete: Sovial Sonzue (Mater Dei Catholic)
Most Valuable Female Field Athlete: Natoya Davis (Castle Park)
Boys Coach of the Year: Randy Walton (San Ysidro)
Girls Coach of the Year: Rudy Castillo (Castle Park)
Mesa League
Boys dual champion: Otay Ranch
Girls dual champion: Eastlake
Most Valuable Male Track Athletes: Hugo Soberanes (Olympian), Justin Mulvany (Otay Ranch)
Most Valuable Female Track Athlete: Ana Mercado (Eastlake)
Most Valuable Male Field Athlete: Zion Bakari-Scott (Bonita Vista)
Most Valuable Female Field Athlete: Kaylee Hewat-Lanier (Otay Ranch)
Boys Coach of the Year: Julian Valdez (Otay Ranch)
Girls Coach of the Year: Francine Koopman (Eastlake)
Metro Conference Parade of Champions
Mesa League Finals/Boys Running Events
100 dash: Jerome Patterson (Eastlake) 11.24
200 dash: Hugo Soberanes (Olympian) 22.63
400 dash: Hugo Soberanes (Olympian) 49.54
800 run: Julio Leon Olympian) 2:01.21
1600 run: Jonathan Kelly (Bonita Vista) 4:28.65
3200 run: Justin Mulvany (Otay Ranch) 9:41.07
110 high hurdles: Anthony Gilpin (Olympian) 15.30
300 intermediate hurdles: Nathan Mestre (Otay Ranch) 40.31
4×100 relay: Otay Ranch 43.10
4×400 relay: Olympian 3:29.52
Mesa League Finals/Boys Field Events
Shot put: Vincent Ramos (Eastlake) 46-2
Discus throw: Cesar Salazar (Sweetwater) 147-11
High jump: Elijah Johnson (Otay Ranch) 6-2
Pole vault: Jordan Rodriguez (Otay Ranch) 13-3
Long jump: Rogelio Flores (Otay Ranch) 21-9.75
Triple jump: Keiki Phillips (Olympian) 42-2.5
Team standings (points): 1. Otay Ranch 205, Eastlake 127, 3. Olympian 120, 4. Bonita Vista 100, 5. Sweetwater 46, 6. Chula Vista 15
Mesa League Finals/Girls Running Events
100 dash: Kalah Bateman (Eastlake) 12.16
200 dash: Kalah Bateman (Eastlake) 25.16
400 dash: Adaeze Noble (Olympian) 56.72
800 run: Luz Mercado (Eastlake) 2:18.79
1600 run: Luz Mercado (Eastlake) 5:18.59
3200 run: Melissa Mekitarian (Eastlake) 11:49.74
100 low hurdles: Nyha Kidd (Eastlake) 15.79
300 hurdles: Nyha Kidd (Eastlake) 47.64
4×100 relay: Eastlake 49.38
4×400 relay: Eastlake 3:58.45
Mesa League Finals/Girls Field Events
Shot put: Kaylee Hewat Lanier (Otay Ranch) 34-4
Discus throw: Kaylee Hewat Lanier (Otay Ranch) 96-6
High jump: Ana Mercado (Eastlake) 5-2
Pole vault: Natalia Cortes (Eastlake) 10-6
Long jump: Gianna Bostic (Eastlake) 16-0
Triple jump: Kayla Reynante (Bonita Vista) 34-5.5
Team standings (points): 1. Eastlake 262, 2. Otay Ranch 143.5, 3. Olympian 68. 4. Bonita Vista 63, 5. Sweetwater 48.5, 6. Chula Vista 17
South Bay League Finals/Boys Running Events
100 dash: Laurence Massa (Mater Dei Catholic) 11.25
200 dash: Laurence Massa (Mater Dei Catholic) 22.89
400 dash: Daniel Gilbert (Mater Dei Catholic) 51.08
800 run: Esteban Magana (Southwest) 2:06.84
1600 run: Esteban Magana (Southwest) 4:23.16
3200 run: Esteban Magana (Southwest) 9:45.14
110 high hurdles: Esteban Farias (Hilltop) 17.09
300 intermediate hurdles: Esteban Farias (Hilltop) 42.08
4×100 relay: San Ysidro 44.81
4×400 relay: San Ysidro 3:33.04
South Bay League Finals/Boys Field Events
Shot put: Sovial Sonzeu (Mater Dei Catholic) 42-7
Discus throw: Sovial Sonzeu (Mater Dei Catholic) 134-5
High jump: Christian Lopez (Castle Park) 5-6
Pole vault: Eric Trus (Mater Dei Catholic) 9-3
Long jump: Airrien Smith (Castle Park) 20-4
Triple jump: Demarkus Lewis (Castle Park) 40-6.75
Team standings (points): 1. Hilltop 110, 2. Mater Dei Catholic 97, 3. San Ysidro 95, 4. Mar Vista 67, 5. Castle Park 62, 6. Montgomery 57, 7. Southwest 51
South Bay League Finals/Girls Running Events
100 dash: A’sontee Jackson (Castle Park) 12.80
200 dash: Briana Ayala (Mar Vista) 26.87
400 dash: Jordan Norman (Mater Dei Catholic) 59.28
800 run: Jordan Norman (Mater Dei Catholic) 2:29.11
1600 run: Estela Bustillos (Castle Park) 5:35.18
3200 run: Estela Bustillos (Castle Park) 12:27.23
100 low hurdles: Anastasia Henderson (Mar Vista) 17.90
300 hurdles: Ana Zamitiz (Hilltop) 51.45
4×100 relay: Mater Dei Catholic 51.13
4×400 relay: Mater Dei Catholic 4:19.96
South Bay League Finals/Girls Field Events
Shot put: Natoya Davis (Castle Park) 34-4.75
Discus throw: Natoya Davis (Castle Park) 100-3
High jump: Monserrat Salazar (Southwest) 4-6
Pole vault: Hennessy Martinez (Mater Dei Catholic) 7-0
Long jump: Paola Nenninger (Mater Dei Catholic) 17-0
Triple jump: A’sontee Jackson (Castle Park) 33-3.5
Team standings (points): 1. Mater Dei Catholic 174, 2. Castle Park 107, 3. Mar Vista 97, 4. Hilltop 61, 5. Montgomery 58, 6. San Ysidro 43, 7. Southwest 39
