Capistrano Valley's Kiefer comes up big
Kiefer won four separate league titles, including an exciting duel against three-time defending South Coast League champion Natalie Roy, on a chilly night at the South Coast League track and field finals Friday at San Clemente High.
"It was really big to win," said Kiefer, who ran a wind-aided time of 13.97 seconds. "My goal was to break 14 seconds.
Kiefer and Roy were side by side down the track until the final two hurdles, when Kiefer pulled ahead.
Roy, who finished in a time of 14.11, was the first to congratulate her good friend.
"She's incredible," Roy said. "I'm so proud of her."
Though Kiefer qualified for CIF, she will not run in the qualifier meet because of a prior commitment. She also has indicated that she will not run the event next year when she attends Long Beach State.
In addition to her 100 hurdles triumph, Kiefer also captured the long jump (17-10.50), triple jump (36-05.50) and the 300 hurdles race. Her time of 43.05 in the 300 hurdles was a school record and the fastest time posted in the county this year.
It was also a triumphant day for Mission Viejo senior Kevin Kuechler. He won the triple jump ( 44-05.50), 110 (14.46) and 300 hurdles (39.03). He finished second in the long jump to Diablos teammate Aziz-Spellman-Smith.
"It felt good to win those competitions," said Kuechler, who has battled a quadriceps injury for most of the season. "The adrenaline I will have going in to CIF will be great."
The Diablos edged Aliso Niguel in an exciting boys 400 relay. The Diablos finished in a time 42.30, the fastest mark in the county this season. The Wolverines were second at 42.36.
San Clemente sophomore Alex Dunne entertained the Tritons faithful, capturing league titles in the 1,600 (5:04.81) and the 3,200 (11:10.02)
"I felt strong during the race," Dunne said. "It feels really good to win here."
In the girls 100, Dana Hills sophomore Grace Esslinger used a strong finish down over the last few meters of the race to finish in a county-leading time of 12.18.
"I got out real hard," said Esslinger. "One of my goals today was to win the 100 and I was able to do that."
Joel Heaton of Aliso Niguel threw a personal best 58-05.50 to win the shot put. He also took home the league title in the discus, throwing 173-04.50.
County pole vault leader Matt Streshinsky of Aliso Niguel vaulted 14-2 to win the boys league title. Hilary Van Ert of Capistrano Valley captured the girls' title with a vault of 11 feet.
Jeff Adam of Dana Hills captured the boys' high jump title, clearing the bar at 6-4.
The overall South Coast league boys team championship went to the Diablos, while on the girls' side, Mission Viejo and Dana Hills finished as co-champions.
