Boys track & field takes West Valley title

A year ago, the Evergreen Valley boys track and field won the West Valley Relays team title by one point, just edging out Los Gatos, North Monterey County, and San Benito. Cougar runners, throwers, and jumpers won much more convincingly this year, earning 65 points, five better than Castro Valley. Kevin Liao won the 5000 meter run in 16:08.66 and Tom Liu took third in 16:56.94, earning 16 big points for the team effort. Ryan Thomas was second in the 800 meters and Derion Taylor finished second in the 110 meter hurdles and won the triple jump. The relays also contributed to the victory, with the 4x100 taking fourth, the 4x400 taking third, and the sprint medley earning second place.

Hurdler Lia Randazzo and distance runner Samantha Garcia exhibited excellent performances for the girls team. Randazzo placed fourth in the 100 meter hurdles and second in the 400 meter hurdles. Garcia set school records in the both the 1500 and 3000 meter runs, running the two races in 5:04.37 and 10:50.56, respectively. In her first race over the 800 meter distance, quarter-mile specialist Erica Arenas ran a courageous race to place 5th in 2:25.37.