Bison have big day at CIF Division 3 track prelims

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Liberty High track and field athletes qualified for next weekend’s CIF Southern Section finals in seven events Saturday at the CIF-SS Division 3 prelims at Yorba Linda High School.

The Bison boys team was the second overall qualifier in the 400 relay in a time of 42.29. The team consists of Brent Burroughs, Troy Thompson, Jeremiah McClure, McKinley Braselman, and Xavier Munoz.

In the girls 400 relay, the Bison had the sixth best qualifying mark with a time of 49.72. Team members were Rebeka Kpekpe, Kristian Strong, Malia Russell, Jayla Beverson, Natania Ingram, and Nakalah Nathan.

Thompson added to his big day with fifth-place qualifying efforts in the 100 (10.97) and 200 (22.09). Paul Ortega qualified eighth in the 110 high hurdles to advance. The top nine qualifiers from all heats qualify for next week’s CIF finals.

In the boys 800, Juan Juarez was clocked in 1:57.58, qualifying sixth. The boys 1600 relay team grabbed the ninth and final qualifying spot with a time of 3:28.75. Team members were McClure, Thompson, Demian Felix, Juarez, Eden Rocha, and Eddie Smith.

Some other Bison athletes posted good marks but fell short of qualifying for next week’s meet.

In the boys high jump, Zachary Velasco placed 10th (5-10). In the girls shot put, Keiana Jefferson placed 17th at 31-11 ½.

In the girls 300 hurdles, Nevaeh Moala placed 12th in 48.78. The Bison girls 1600 relay team placed 11th in 4:12.10.