Boys’ track and field made history last night at Gilroy High School, winning Paly’s first ever Central Coast Section (CCS) championship title. The Vikings had a total of eight boys qualified to compete in this meet. Paly was represented in the 4×100-meter relay, the 4×400-meter relay, the 100 and 200-meter races, the 800-meter race, and the long and high jump. In addition, the Vikings had jumper Anna Dukovic (’15) and thrower Lindsay Black (’12) competing in field events.
For the first event of the day, the Vikings started out with a strong lead. The 4×100 meter relay, consisting of Tremain Kirkman (‘12) Morris Gates-Mouton (‘12), Jayshawn Gates-Mouton (‘13) and EJ Floreal (‘13), won in a time of 41.56 seconds. This time shattered their own school record of 42.07 seconds set last year, and qualified the team to compete at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State finals meet.
Floreal went on to win the individual 100-meter and 200-meter races in 10.81 seconds and 21.84 seconds respectively, earning a total of 20 points for the Vikings and qualifying for the CIF State meet in both events. Kirkman also ran the open 100-meter race, taking eighth place in a time of 11.15 seconds.
Competing in field events, Victor Du (‘13) placed sixth in both the long and high jump events. He jumped 20’1.5’’ in the long jump, and 6’3’’ in the high jump.
The Vikings left the track with nothing less than a victory. The 4×400-meter relay, consisting of Morris Gates-Mouton, Solgaard, John Alee (‘13), and Nick Sullivan (‘14), finished in a time of 3:21.41 minutes to break a school record, win the race, and for the first time in Paly history, the meet.
“[I am] amazed,” Floreal said of this accomplishment. “Everyone stepped up and the people who came as support were amazing. Winning CCS is a great accomplishment.”
The Lady Vikes were unable to qualify more than two athletes to this meet, however Dukovic and Black both managed to place seventh overall. Dukovic jumped 4’11’’, and Black (‘12) competed in the shotput with a throw of 36’9’’. Black has broken several records throughout the course of her final season, and Dukovic will compete at the Varsity level for her upcoming three years.
The Vikings will be sending two relay teams and two individuals to the CIF State meet: Floreal, Morris Gates-Mouton, Jayshawn Gates-Mouton, Kirkman, Alee, Sullivan, and Solgaard. The meet will be held on June 1 and 2 at Buchanon High School in Clovis, California.
