West Hills’ senior Brenden Song is golden boy at state track meet

Grossmont Conference schools qualified 10 individuals, plus three relay teams, to compete at last weekend’s 95th annual high school state track and field championship meet in Clovis.

At the head of the class was West Hills senior Brenden Song making a return visit to Buchanan High School’s Veterans Memorial Stadium after recording a meteoric second-place finish in the boys discus throw at last year’s state finals. His goal this year—the gold medal.

Grossmont Conference schools qualified 10 individuals, plus three relay teams, to compete at last weekend’s 95th annual high school state track and field championship meet in Clovis.

At the head of the class was West Hills senior Brenden Song making a return visit to Buchanan High School’s Veterans Memorial Stadium after recording a meteoric second-place finish in the boys discus throw at last year’s state finals. His goal this year—the gold medal.

“Just hit the workout bench … get bigger, get stronger,” Song said of his strategy. “I feel it paid off.”  

Song posted the state’s No. 1 regular season mark of 194 feet, 4 inches, set April 26 at the Escondido Invitational. Though he didn’t match that at last Saturday’s state finals, he did record the top throw of 188-8 to win the gold medal amid temperatures pushing the 100-degree mark in the Central Valley.

“After taking second last year, I really wanted the gold medal,” the West Hills thrower said. “It feels great.”

Song edged Newport Harbor senior Marty Taylor by three inches to win this year’s state title. Throwing conditions were brutal at this year’s state meet. Besides a temperature of 99 degrees, there was no wind to cool things off.

“When it’s hot like this, it takes a toll on your body,” Song said. “But I rested really well. The preparations I made leading up to the meet really helped.”

Song becomes the Santee school’s third state gold medalist, joining Evan Fox, who captured titles in the boys 1,600-meter run in 2001 and 2002.

“It’s awesome,” West Hills Coach Chris Welter said. “He worked really hard for it all season. He deserved it. I’m very glad it worked out for him. It was fun.”

Song qualified for the state meet by recording the top mark of 180-1 at the San Diego Section finals May 25 at Mt. Carmel High School. He was among four Grossmont Conference athletes to post top state qualifying marks in the meet, and one of four East County athletes to advance to last Saturday’s state finals.

Joining Song in this year’s state finals were West Hills sophomore Melissa Mongiovi (girls 400-dash), Steele Canyon senior Brandon Howard (boys 300 intermediate hurdles) and Helix senior Jashell Smith (girls discus throw).

State Medals

The top six place-finishers received state medals. Howard (third) and Mongiovi (fifth) both joined Song with state medals. 

Smith finished 11th in her event. Howard’s state medal was the first for a Steele Canyon athlete since 2009. Howard earned it by setting consecutive school records in the state prelims (37.99) and finals (37.65).

“I wanted to be in the middle of the pack by the second turn and make a move,” said Howard, who recorded the top state qualifying time of 38.19 at the section finals. “When I looked up on the scoreboard and saw my name in third, I was happy because I knew I had made the medals podium.”

Mongiovi clocked a season-best time of 54.70 seconds after finishing the regular season with the state’s fourth best time of 54.99.

“I’m glad I made it here,” said Mongiovi, who posted the top state qualifying times at the section finals in both the 200-dash (24.44) and 400-dash (55.05). “I didn’t medal last year; my goal this year was to medal.”

Mongiovi edged Cathedral Catholic freshman Dani Johnson by 0.17 seconds – a flick of an eyelash — to win in the 200-dash at the section finals.

“It’s exciting,” Mongiovi said. “It was really close the last 50 meters.”

Smith advanced to the state finals after recording a state prelim mark of 136-10 but could only manage a finals mark of 112-9. She finished second at the section finals with a throw of 129-3.

Honor roll

The top three place-finishers in each event at the section finals advanced to the state meet.

Also qualifying to compete in Clovis were Mt. Miguel junior Talisha Dozier (girls long jump, 18-2), El Capitan senior Vanessa Sierra (girls shot put, 41-6.75), Granite Hills junior Blake Dehaven (boys 400-dash, 50.07), 

Helix senior Shelby Hernandez (boys 800 run, 1:53.98) and Steele Canyon senior Lonnie Tuff (boys triple jump, 45-3.5). 

Dozier, Sierra, Hernandez all finished second at their respective state qualifying heats at the section finals while Dehaven and Tuff were third.

Granite Hills (second, 42.83) and Helix (third, 42.94) both qualified to compete at the state meet in the boys 4×100 relay while Steele Canyon (third, 3:20.44) qualified to compete in the boys 4×400 relay. 

Superwoman

Steele Canyon senior Monique Van advanced to the state meet as the section’s top qualifier in the girls’ triple jump (37-8.25). She finished her season with a mark of 35-8 at last Friday’s state prelims after posting the section’ top regular season mark of 38-3.25.

Van competed in four individual events at the section finals. Besides winning the triple jump, she placed fifth among Division I medalists in the 100 low hurdles (15.38), 300 hurdles (45.96) and long jump (16-11).

“It was hectic competing in the triple jump and the 100 hurdles because they were going on at the same time,” Van said. “I took one jump and headed right over to the hurdles and when they were done, I went back to the pit and had to play catch up with the other competitors.”

Multi-Event Championship set this weekend at Cuyamaca College

San Diego Multi-Event Championship will be held this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, June 8-9, at Cuyamaca College. 

The 10-event boys decathlon includes the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter dash, 110-meter high hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1,500-meter run. 

The seven-event girls heptathlon features the 100-meter low hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin throw and 800-meter run.

Event director Lyle Barton called it a great opportunity for the all-around athletes on each high school track and field team to match skills with the best in the county.

“Any athlete good in four or five of these events should be encouraged to compete,” Barton said. “The decathletes and heptathletes are considered to be the best and most fit athletes on a track team. 

This is a fun-filled two-day event that will be a lifelong memory for all those who participate.”

Awards will be presented to the top five finishers in each gender field. 

First day events start at 9 a.m. for the heptathlon and 10 a.m. for the decathlon; second day events start at 9 a.m. for the decathlon and 11 a.m. for the heptathlon.

Cost is $35 per athlete. Entries will be accepted on the day of the event.

Cuyamaca College is located at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon. 

Call 328-1028 for more information.