Santa Barbara High’s Malachi Johnston headlined the local track & field student-athletes competing in the CIF State prelims on Friday at Buchanan High School in Clovis.
The Dons sent a pair of competitors to the CIF State meet, while the Dos Pueblos Chargers also had two athletes in the running.
Johnston was the lone local to punch their ticket to the State Finals on Saturday, throwing a 56-0.75 in the shot put.
“He keeps coming up with throws when he needs them and keeps his season alive. It’s so much fun to be on this ride with him,” Santa Barbara High head coach Olivia Perdices said.
Meanwhile, fellow Don Elina Stump closed out her junior season by placing 20th in the long jump and 25th in the 100-meter hurdles.
“[Stump’s] had a tremendous season with so many big moments and experiences,” Perdices said. “I’m really proud of how much she’s grown and everything she’s accomplished and so grateful to have her back next year.”
As for Dos Pueblos, Owen Abbott and Kellan Cotter had their seasons come to an end in the prelim round.
Abbott competed in the second heat of the 1,600-meter race, crossing the finish line in 4:31.65.
“Owen is disappointed with how his season ended, but no one else is,” Dos Pueblos head coach Rosina Garcia said. “He has worked diligently to make it to this point, and, as the 1600m school record holder, he has established a distance-running legacy at Dos Pueblos.”
Meanwhile, Cotter recorded a time of 47.90 seconds in the 400-meter, missing out on the CIF State Finals race by 0.07 seconds.
“In a year, Kellan shaved nearly six seconds off of his 400, which is incredible,” Garcia said. “To make it to the state meet is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. There are so many things outside of our control when we run these races, and Kellan did what he could. I’m so proud.”