Woepse, Krinik win state titles

CLOVIS - In a season that has seen him vault his way to the top of  the county elite, Mater Dei junior Michael Woepse capped a spectacular season with the state’s biggest prize.

Woepse cleared 16 feet, five inches to win the pole vault championship at the 91st annual CIF State Track and Field Championships on Saturday night at Buchanan High.

“I’ve been working hard for this event over the last three years and to finally have accomplished this goal is amazing,” said Woepse.

Earlier this season, Woepse set a new county record by clearing 16-9. Though he narrowly missed a couple of attempts at 17 feet, his winning mark was six inches better than Mike Peterson of Clovis East (15-11), who finished second.

In the boys 800, Valencia junior Sean Krinik ended his spectacular season by sprinting past the field over the final lap to claim the title with a time of 1:51.83.

“Being on top of the podium was like a dream and I’m so happy,” said Krinik, who finished the season ranked second in the state and eighth in the nation.

On Friday, Orange Lutheran's 1,600 relay team turned in the fastest time in county history. On Saturday, the Lancers' foursome claimed the state championship in the last event of the night.

Seniors Isiah Huss, Terrance Brown, and Kyle Dravis, along with junior Damani Wilson held off a late charge from Long Beach Millikan to win the title in 3:14.53.

“I knew that I had to count on the three legs before me,” said Dravis. “We had a great group of returners this season and knew this would be the year to do it.”

The season ended on a disappointing note for San Clemente senior Alex Dunne.

The anticipated 3,200 showdown between her and Mission College Prep senior Jordan Hasay never developed as a foot injury that has bothered Dunne over the last few weeks flared up during the race.

Dunne managed to hang with Hasay for the first 3 1/2 laps but began limping soon after that and fell back in the pack. The pain in her foot finally forced her to the ground on the side of the track during the sixth lap.

Hasay claimed her fourth state title in a time of 10:05.29. Edison senior Hillary Hayes posted a lifetime best 10:28.79 to finish fourth.

In the boys 100, Fountain Valley junior Kyle Middlebrooks (10.57) exploded out of the gate early and held a narrow lead midway through the race before Cathedral senior and state leader Randall Carroll (10.38) caught him for the win.

“My whole goal was to get out and try to maintain it,” said Middlebrooks. “I’m happy with my race and the season.”

Santa Margarita junior Claire Hawkins cleared a personal best of 12 feet, 10 inches to finish second in the pole vault to Westview junior Kortney Ross, who took home the title by clearing a state-leading 13 feet, four inches.

“I was nervous at first but relaxed and just tried to have fun,” said Hawkins, whose clearance is now tied for the third best in county history.

In the boys 1,600, El Toro senior Toby Villalva battled near the leaders throughout the race, ultimately finishing third in a lifetime best of 4:09.42.

“Overall, I did what I wanted to do and I’ve been blessed to have a good season,” said Villalva. 

Orange Lutheran senior Staci Foster closed out her fine career, placing third overall in the girls 1,600 with a lifetime best of 4:49.95, best among county runners this season.

“I had never made it to the state meet and my goal before the season was to get on the podium,” said Foster.

In the boys discus, Newport Harbor junior Cecil Whiteside finished third overall with a throw of 183 feet, 11 inches. Frontier senior Matt Darr took home the state title with a state leading mark of 192 feet.

“It wasn’t exactly where I wanted to end up, but overall it was a good season,” said Whiteside. “I just have to get into a competing mode and go after it next year.”

Dana Hills sophomore Devin Harrison leaped a lifetime best 23 feet, eight inches to finish third in the long jump competition.

“Being my first time at state, I did better than I expected to,” said Harrison.

JSerra junior and defending state high jump champion Harrison Steed was third with a clearance of 6 feet, nine inches. 

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com