Brea Olinda’s Austin Tamagno has repeatedly proved himself on the biggest stages.
He rose to the occasion at the adidas Meet of Champions Distance Classic on Saturday, scorching the track at Azusa Pacific University to become the national pace-setter in the 1,600 meters.
Tamagno won the adidas “Dream Mile” qualifier in 4:06.26, topping the mark set by Trabuco Hills’ Jantzen Oshier (4:07.78) in 2011.
By winning, Tamagno earned a trip to New York, where he will compete in the adidas Grand Prix on June 13.
“It’s been a goal of mine for two years,” Tamagno said of qualifying for the adidas Grand Prix. “That’s where all the best times go down at that meet.”
The Brea junior said he has been hitting all of the marks he set for himself this season, and he attributes it to the rigorous training program put in place by Wildcats coach Jeremy Mattern.
“I’m getting a little more comfortable running at faster paces,” Tamagno said, adding that the training regimen has helped to eliminate any surprises during the track season.
Tamagno was lined up against a talented field Saturday night. Huntington Beach’s George Gleason finished fourth, and Edison’s Cooper Kossick placed seventh.
It was only five months Tamagno broke Mt. San Antonio College’s three-mile course record with a time of 14:23 during the cross country season.
In the girls’ featured mile race Saturday, Tesoro’s Amanda Gehrich ran her second sub-5-minute mile in a week (4:55.23). The junior also earned a spot in the adidas Grand Prix. Tesoro senior Briar Brumley (5:01.64) finished fourth.
ANDREW TURNER
SWIMMING
Santa Margarita’s girls swim team was unsure early in the season about where its new depth would come from after graduating several seniors last year.
The Eagles now know.
The reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion has been buoyed by five freshmen.
“A strong freshman class has really helped us out,” Santa Margarita co-coach Rich Blanc said. “We lost seven seniors last year who qualified for CIF. That would usually (mean) a rebuilding year, but we got a lot of freshmen.”
Freshmen Samantha Shelton, Isabelle Odgers, Bela Patino, Amy Qin and Marriott Hoffmann are each swimming varsity and four raced on winning teams as the Eagles captured the Millikan Southern Section Relays on Saturday.
“This year, the depth is even better than last year,” said Blanc, whose team plays host to Mater Dei on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. “We’re doing better than what we were expecting.”
There are several other county freshmen creating waves. Corona del Mar’s Eva Merrell set school records last week in the 100-yard butterfly (54.26) and 100 backstroke (56.20). …
Laguna Beach’s Erik Juliusson delivered a strong performance at the Mission Viejo Invitational on Saturday. The Purdue-bound senior won the 100 free (45.91) and 200 individual medley (1:49.68). He ranks 12th in county history in the individual medley. …
First-year JSerra coach Kevin Clements said growing his program’s roster depth is his top goal. “This year, we don’t even field a frosh-soph because we just don’t have the numbers,” said Clements, also the school’s aquatics director. “(And I want to) try to transcend and grab more of the water polo players to come over. I think that’s going to help us the most.” …
Dana Hills’ boys will be seeking their first victory against Capistrano Valley since 2007 when it races against the defending South Coast League champion today at Capistrano Valley.
DAN ALBANO
BOYS GOLF
Senior Matt Wilson posted a 2-under-par 214 at the Golf Club at Terra Lago in Indio to help Servite win the Champions Invitational on Saturday for the second year in a row.
The tournament, regarded as the premier boys golf tournament in the nation, has been won by the Friars four times since it began 10 years ago.
The Friars shot an 891 and edged Great Oak of Temecula by two strokes in the 54-hole tournament. Dana Hills tied for sixth with a 908.
Brandon Brame and freshman Kyle Kinnane each posted a 5-over 221 for the Friars.
“This team right now is as focused as any team I have had over my 15 years, they get along great and support each other. They have done a phenomenal job,” Servite coach Dane Jako said. “To win a tournament like this is an honor, but to win it now for the fourth time and back-to-back twice says a lot about where your program is as a whole. I feel really good about this team.”
DAMIAN DOTTORE
VOLLEYBALL
There are several key league matches on tap this week in boys volleyball.
Servite hosts Santa Margarita tonight in the Trinity League. Both teams have won their first two league matches.
Wednesday, Huntington Beach will host Los Alamitos in a Sunset League match. The match was originally scheduled for tonight, but was moved back one day.
Dana Hills hosts San Clemente on Wednesday in a South Coast League match. Both teams advanced to the semifinals of the Orange County Championships earlier this month.
DAMIAN CALHOUN
LACROSSE
Here is a small sample of this week’s loaded boys lacrosse schedule:
Today, San Clemente at Aliso Niguel, 5:30 p.m., Trabuco Hills at Capistrano Valley, JSerra at Santa Margarita, 6 p.m. and Mater Dei at Tesoro. Thursday, Santa Margarita at Servite, 6 p.m., JSerra vs. Foothill at Tustin High and Aliso Niguel at St. Margaret’s, 5 p.m.; Saturday, Great Oak of Temecula at Foothill, 3 p.m.
DAMIAN CALHOUN
WRESTLING
Fountain Valley’s Andrew Morgan earned All-America honors by finishing sixth in the 170-pound division of the NHSCA Senior Nationals in Virginia.
At the Junior Nationals level, Calvary Calvary’s Johnny Knowles (132) also earned All-American honors, finishing fifth.
Valencia’s Gabby Garcia (125) and Canyon’s Aleeah Gould (105) were second at their weights at the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals in Oklahoma City. Kennedy’s Miyuki Pugrad (125) finished third.
DAMIAN CALHOUN
BOYS WATER POLO
Tesoro water polo player Connor Suggs has committed to Air Force, Titans coach Mike Gibson confirmed. The senior scored 70 goals last season.
DAN ALBANO
