Ortiz, Epps, Juarez qualify for CIF State track meet

Jayden Epps of Paloma Valley High placed third in the discus and will compete in the CIF state meet.

 All three local athletes who competed in the CIF Masters track and field meet on Saturday qualified to compete in next weekend’s State meet in Clovis.

Heritage High senior Andreese Ortiz qualified in two events, placing sixth in the girls discus (139-1) and seventh in the shot put (40-11). She has been one of the top throwers in the nation all year.

Paloma Valley senior Jayden Epps continued his postseason success, placing third in the boys discus with a mark of 175-9. He set personal bests and broke school records in his last two meets, the CIF prelims and CIF finals.

Liberty High junior Juan Juarez placed seventh in the boys 800 meters with a time of 1:52.96 to qualify for next weekend’s meet as well.

The State meet will be held May 24-25 at Buchanan High Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis.

Andreese Ortiz of Heritage and Juan Juarez of Liberty also qualified for next weekend's State meet.