Prep track and field: No stopping now for Poway High sprinters

By Michael Bower

The bodies of Poway High track and field stars Evan Gray and Cecily Gilson could probably use a relaxing two-month summer break right about now. The two senior sprinters have taken a pounding and it is starting to take its toll.

Gray broke three bones in his back and suffered a fractured kneecap during the football season. Gilson, who tore her MCL before her sophomore year and two ligaments in her ankle before her junior year, is now battling a strained groin.

But both of the 100- and 200-meter sprinters refuse to stop now. Both have their eye on advancing past this Saturday’s CIF San Diego Section Prelims, which are slated to start at 9 a.m. at Mt. Carmel High School. The top nine Division I and Division II finishers advance to the section finals on May 26.

“I am going to keep going until I keel over and fall down on the track,” said Gilson after she won the Palomar League title in the 100 (12.48 seconds) last Friday. She finished third in the 200 (25.57). “I am just going to keep coming out here and going as hard as I can. I am leaving it all on the track.

Gray expressed the same feelings after his victory in the 100 (10.95) at the Palomar League championships. He also captured the 200 title, coming in at 21.94.

“I have had so many nagging injuries so I haven’t practiced in about a month,” Gray said. “I have just been coming out here and running. I am so sick and tired of the injuries. But I am going to keep going. I am hoping my legs stop feeling wobbly.”

If their bodies hold up, the two have a strong chance to advance to the section finals in both the 100 and 200. Gray is ranked No. 5 in the section in the 100 and No. 1 in the 200. Gilson is No. 8 in the 100 and No. 4 in the 200.

There were many other local Palomar League champions crowned last Friday night. Rancho Bernardo dominated the pole vaulting on both the boys and girls side. Senior Ryan Zacchilli, who is one of the top vaulters in the state, cleared 15-feet, 9-inches to take the boys title. Junior Mimi Lian, also one of the top vaulters in the state, went 12-6 to take the girls title. Poway’s Emily Mendoza cleared 11-5 for second place.

The Broncos’ Brandi Walker also turned in an amazing effort. The junior captured the league title in both the discus and the shot put. She went 37-2 in the finals of the shot put and 109-9 to win the discus.

Rancho Bernardo senior Kevin Mihalik also advanced to the section prelims in two events. Mihalik won the 1,600 in 4:17.75, edging Poway’s Chris Tansey (4:19.17).

Mihalik also qualifed in a stacked 800 field, crossing the line in fifth place (1:57.23). The field had 10 runners come in under two minutes, including Poway’s Eric Hayen (second place, 1:56.39) and Chris Tansey (third place, 1:56.89).

Other local boys Palomar League champions:

400 (Alex Grigoriev, RB); 3,200 (Dimitri Voytilla, RB); Discus (Charlie Long, Poway); High jump (Jake Pavlovics).

Other local girls Palomar League champions:

High jump (Tiffany Tate, Poway).

Del Norte High’s Mark Quiroz won the 1,600 title in the Valley League, coming in at 4:28.24. He will face a tough field at Saturday’s CIF prelims, which will include the Broncos’ Mihalik.

Also winning titles for Del Norte were triple jumper Tyler Nelson and discus thrower Nick Murray. Both will be competing at the prelims.