HomeSportsSan Marino Runs Temple City Off Track In Opener

San Marino Runs Temple City Off Track In Opener

TORRID PACE: Sophomore Jonathan Karkafi cruises down the backstretch last Thursday afternoon during Rio Hondo League track action against Temple City. Karkafi was victorious in both the 800 and 1,600 meter runs for the Titans, who swept the Rams at all three levels. Mitch Lehman Photo

It’s fascinating to consider what wagering odds one could have gotten a decade or two ago on San Marino High School’s track team sweeping Temple City at all three contested levels.

The Rams were once so dominant that the Rio Hondo League finals were more of a coronation and the squad needed at least three buses to transport them to away meets.

Well, cash that ticket if you have it because the tide has turned, and it’s blue. The Titans defeated the Rams last Thursday, opening league dual meet action with a flurry as the girls’ varsity claimed a 91-34 victory, the boys’ varsity won 74-52 and the boys’ frosh-soph prevailed by a final score of 74-48.

Junior Puja Balaji paced the Lady Titans with three individual victories while contributing to a fourth. Bulaji won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs and ran a leg for the winning 4 x 400-meter relay team, accumulating almost four miles of victory. Senior Olivia Ruiz won the 400-meter dash, finished second in the 800 meter run and also had a hand in the winning 4 x 400-meter relay effort.

Sophomore Jonathan Karkafi won the 1,600 and 800 meter runs for the varsity boys and also took a lap for the boys’ 4 x 400-meter relay squad. Luke Jain also doubled in the 200 and 400 meter dashes and ran a leg of the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Junior Skyler Pak won the 200 meter dash and finished second in the 100 meter dash, which was won by teammate Mackenzie Dawes. Annie Derrick took second in the 200 and third in the 100 while adding to the winning relay efforts.

Freshman Madison Spitzer won the girls’ long jump with a 14’ 3” effort.

The teams are back in action on Thursday, March 28 when La Cañada comes calling at 3:15 p.m. in another Rio Hondo League showdown.

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