Torrey Pines track and field CIF medalists advance to state finals

Torrey Pines senior and UCLA recruit Jacqueline Garner was crowned 3200 meters champion at the CIF Championships, held May 30 at Mt. Carmel High School on May 30.

In a grueling race of endurance she pulled away from the crowded pack of leaders on the last lap by six lengths and further lengthened her lead by sprinting at the finish with a time of 10:57.89 min. Garner’s victory earned her the chance to compete in the upcoming state championships in Clovis, CA on June 5-6.

Joining her at the state championships will be the 4 x 100 meters relay team of juniors Ann Caroline Kaseberg, Isabella Hoang and Kaitlyn Iwanowicz and sophomore Jayda Hammermeister. Their second-place finish and fast time of 47.99 seconds achieved a new personal record and qualified them for the state finals. Iwanowicz put her sprinting skills to good use in the long jump where she placed second with another personal record of 18-05.25”, so she qualified for the state championships in two events.

Ann Caroline Kaseberg also earned medals in the 400 meters and as the anchor of the 4 x 400 meter relay team which achieved a new personal record with senior Jessica Rose, freshman Ellie Flint and senior Taylor Seamans. USC-bound Seamans narrowly missed making the state championships with a third-place finish in the 800 meters. Close behind her for fourth in the same event was Meaghan Donnelly, who achieved a new personal record. Freshman Kate Thomas placed third in Division 1 for the 300 meter hurdles at 44.78 seconds, a personal record and an extraordinary feat for a novice hurdler in a competitive field filled with experienced competitors.

Another state championship qualifier is Princeton-bound senior Joey DeMarco who placed second in shot put with a throw of 54-4.50”. Senior Myles Hundley threw a new personal best of 158-08” to medal in the discus and also narrowly missed qualifying for the state championships. Junior Ethan Carter also was a top 10 finisher in the 300 meter hurdles.

In the triple jump, two Torrey Pines athletes placed in the top 10: senior Andrea Hsieh and freshman Jade Cany, with both hitting new personal records. Junior Macenzi McGuire competed in the 1600 meters and placed just outside of the top 10 in the county.

At a team level, the Torrey Pines girls’ team placed third in the competitive Division 1 field.

Head Torrey Pines track and field coach Charlenne Falcis-Stevens was very proud of her team’s accomplishments and prospects. “I am very proud of how our Torrey Pines student-athletes competed at the CIF Finals,” she said. “Each one of them worked hard this season, and that focus and determination paid off, especially with the number of personal improvements we had. Many of the athletes we are taking to state will be returning next season so having them exposed to the ambiance and competition at this level is an important part of the experience. Jackie Garner is ready for a big drop in time in the 3200. She will have some big competition at the state meet and she’s been training all season for this moment.”