Servite Down; Two to go for Braves
The day was dreary and overcast as the Braves Track and Field
team loaded on the bus - things weren't looking bright. All
of that changed however as the Braves made yet another trip
into Orange County. Anaheim Servite was the site for this day's
duel meet against the Servite Friars. The Braves looked to
rebound from a horrible weekend invitational and pick up their
first Serra League victory of the year. What transpired were
many favorable meet performances as the Braves picked up the
win, 95 - 39. It was a good boost of confidence as the Braves
now move on to face stronger teams in Mater Dei and Santa Margarita.
4x100m Relay: The Braves would run with their "A" group
for the first time in over a month. A strong start by Matt
Young gave way to returning relay member Joe Cowan who put
the race away with his leg. All that was left to do was get
the baton to a streaking Josh Bradford. Bringing it home in
great fashion was Senior leader Garrett Schott. The team clocked
a fine time of 43.7.
1600m: Daniel Estrella ran away with the victory here, clocking
a time of 4:32.01. Estrella is undefeated thus far in duel
meets and is looking focused each time out.
110m Hurdles: The real story here was at the Freshman/Sophomore
level where Sophomore Patrick Cowan gave the high hurdles a
chance for the first time ever. After a few days of "jumping" over
some hurdles Pat, three stepped his way to victory in a team
leading 17.2.
400m: Words can't really do this race justice. It was a show
down between two of the Serra League's top quarter milers.
One is a much improved commodity that emerged victorious against
the defending Serra League 400m Champion at the recent Surf
City Invitational, the other was a hidden talent on the track
field that up until then was only known as a "fast freshman." His
peers at Bosco knew better. Joe Cowan, now a Junior, matched
up in the blocks against a highly improved Matt Willis who
had just clocked a mid 49 second quarter mile race the prvious
Saturday. At the gun it was apparent that Willis wanted to
get out very strong and put the race away early. It was obvious
though that he didn't know about his opponent. With 300m left
in the race Joe turned on a blistering pace and never looked
back. Willis was a 2nd place finisher in 49.92, while Cowan
ran 48.86 to break his own school record he set just two weeks
prior.
100m: Another great sprint duel took form here with Bosco's
Garrett Schott meeting another hingly improved athlete in Servite's
Matt Slater. At the gun both runners were out strong and fast
- and that is how they crossed the line. It wasn't until a
few minutes later that the winner would be decided. Slater
had nipped Schott with a time of 10.75 to 10.86.
800m: Osvaldo Lopez took advantage of a depleted Servite distance
crew as he took control of this race and never looked back.
Lopez ran a strong two laps en route to a 2:05 finish, earning
5 points for his team.
300m Hurdles: Showdown #2 would take place here as Willis
and Cowan met again. Most expected Willis to come back for
the win here. And that he did. The more experienced hurdler
used his superb technique to plainly "out hurdle" Cowan.
Still in the end Cowan wouldn't give as he was less then a
second back from his opponent. Joe's time of 39.55 was over
a three second improvement from when he last ran the hurdles
in season 2000 as a freshman where he clocked 42.88. With his
time here coupled with his victory in the relay and 400m, Cowan
earns himself the unofficial "Brave Athlete of the Meet"
200m: Some fine sprinting had already taken place on this
day, and this race was no exception. Playing his hand this
time at Servite's Matt Slater was Josh Bradford. Bradford,
who had been battling a slight flu durning the past few weeks,
seemed focused and ready to run fast. That is exactly how he
came around the turn and through 185m. Unfortunately for Bradford,
Slater was able to push through and over take him by the slightest
of margins, 22.37 to 22.42. It was a tough loss for a determined
Bradford but a great way to end an amazing day of sprinting
for track enthusiasts.
3200m: Daniel Estrella once again took advantage of a depleted
Servite distance crew. His time of 10:01.11 was good enough
to earn his team 5 more points.
4x400m Relay: The team consisting of Albert Butler, Paul Mayans,
Archie Aragon and Osvaldo Lopez couldn't overcome Servite's "A" team
and finished well behind.
Field Events: Kevin Cape rushed back from a Volleyball tournament
win in Las Vegas to win the Long Jump...Jorge De La Cruz won
the Pole Vault...Ian Connell won the Discus |
