STEVE K. ZYLIUS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
POWERFUL PERFORMANCE: Esperanza's Blake Poole won the shot put at the the Orange County Championships with a 60-foot, 7 1/2-inch throw on his first attempt of the competition.
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O.C. Championships: Sullivan wins either way
Comments 0 | Recommend 0O.C. Championships: Sullivan wins either way
April 20, 2008 1:09 AM
OCVarsity.com
MISSION VIEJO Trabuco Hills senior Riley Sullivan used the county's biggest showcase to prove that he is capable of winning distance races with contrasting racing styles.
Sullivan rallied late to win the 1,600 meters, and emphatically won the 3,200 at the Orange County Championships on Saturday at Mission Viejo High.
“I just tried to stay calm and go for it,” said Sullivan, whose 4:12.72 moved him past his older brother J.T. Sullivan for the second best mark all-time at the county championships. “I'm feeling really great at this point of the season.”
Sullivan was the fourth leader of the 1,600 as the lead changed after every lap. Entering the bell lap, Sullivan was mired in the middle of a large pack, but was able to get free and explode over the final 200 meters to pick up the triumph.
Later, he assumed control of the 3,200 early and extended it throughout, winning in a time of 9.12.96, second in meet history behind older brother J.T.'s time of 9:10.76 set last year.
It was also an impressive day for Fountain Valley sophomore Kyle Middlebrooks, who ran a 10.81 to win the boys 100-meter dash. He also produced a 22.09 in the 200, finishing second to Laguna Hills senior Drew Endly (22.08).
“Winning here will help me a lot as I go into CIF competition,” Middlebrooks said.
Barons teammate Kevin Jones held off long jump champion Trevor Wightman of Trabuco Hills to win an exciting 300-meter hurdle race in a time of 39.14.
“I just tried to stay focused and run my own race,” he said.
Mission Viejo sophomore Devalle Pedrogo (14.44) posted the fifth-fastest time in the state this year to win the 110-meter hurdles.
“I got off to a good start and just told myself to keep it up,” he said.
In a tight 800-meter race, El Toro junior Toby Villalva outlasted a talented field to win in 1:54.91.
“I knew that I could be right there,” he said. “I was able to make moves when I had to.”
Esperanza senior Blake Poole uncorked a 60-foot, 7 1/2-inch throw on his first attempt to win the shot put.
“My first throw is usually my best one,” he said. “The good competition that I faced helped me get fired up.”
In the team competition, Dana Hills (61 points) took home the county championship for the first time since 2005.
The Dolphins became just the third school in county history to win both boys and girls team titles in the same meet, joining Esperanza (1995) and Mission Viejo (2006).
Sullivan rallied late to win the 1,600 meters, and emphatically won the 3,200 at the Orange County Championships on Saturday at Mission Viejo High.
“I just tried to stay calm and go for it,” said Sullivan, whose 4:12.72 moved him past his older brother J.T. Sullivan for the second best mark all-time at the county championships. “I'm feeling really great at this point of the season.”
Sullivan was the fourth leader of the 1,600 as the lead changed after every lap. Entering the bell lap, Sullivan was mired in the middle of a large pack, but was able to get free and explode over the final 200 meters to pick up the triumph.
Later, he assumed control of the 3,200 early and extended it throughout, winning in a time of 9.12.96, second in meet history behind older brother J.T.'s time of 9:10.76 set last year.
It was also an impressive day for Fountain Valley sophomore Kyle Middlebrooks, who ran a 10.81 to win the boys 100-meter dash. He also produced a 22.09 in the 200, finishing second to Laguna Hills senior Drew Endly (22.08).
“Winning here will help me a lot as I go into CIF competition,” Middlebrooks said.
Barons teammate Kevin Jones held off long jump champion Trevor Wightman of Trabuco Hills to win an exciting 300-meter hurdle race in a time of 39.14.
“I just tried to stay focused and run my own race,” he said.
Mission Viejo sophomore Devalle Pedrogo (14.44) posted the fifth-fastest time in the state this year to win the 110-meter hurdles.
“I got off to a good start and just told myself to keep it up,” he said.
In a tight 800-meter race, El Toro junior Toby Villalva outlasted a talented field to win in 1:54.91.
“I knew that I could be right there,” he said. “I was able to make moves when I had to.”
Esperanza senior Blake Poole uncorked a 60-foot, 7 1/2-inch throw on his first attempt to win the shot put.
“My first throw is usually my best one,” he said. “The good competition that I faced helped me get fired up.”
In the team competition, Dana Hills (61 points) took home the county championship for the first time since 2005.
The Dolphins became just the third school in county history to win both boys and girls team titles in the same meet, joining Esperanza (1995) and Mission Viejo (2006).
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
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