Couch wins three of 10 Bell-Jeff track titles
Caitlyn Couch crossed the finish line after cruising to victory in the girls’ 1,600-meter race at the Santa Fe League track and field finals.
But instead of stepping off the track and savoring her victory, the Bellarmine-Jefferson High junior waited until the other finishers crossed the line and offered congratulations to each competitor.
It was a humble gesture from an athlete who has received her share of accolades and congratulations during her decorated tenure with the Guards track and field program.
Couch added to her accomplishments Wednesday evening by capturing three of Bell-Jeff’s 10 league titles in the finals at Burroughs High.
In addition to winning the 1,600 in 5 minutes, 25.09 seconds, she was also first in the 800 (2:21.35) and the 3,200 (12:10.58), as Couch earned her second straight league victory in all three events.
“I just try and go out and run the race and not worry about if I won it last year or not,” said Couch, who was the 2016 Camino Real League champion in cross-country before going on to place 10th in the CIF Southern Section Division V finals and 23rd at the CIF State Division V Meet. “Competing in four events, I usually just go out there and see what I have, although the 3,200 isn’t my favorite race; but I have to do it.”
Couch teamed up with Cosette Balmy, Claire Borot and Dalila Rincan to place second in the 4x400 relay in a CIF prelims qualifying standard time of 4:16.89.
Bell-Jeff also had a double winner on the girls’ side, as Adaleigh Ramos defended her title in the 300 hurdles (52.20) and came on late in the 100 hurdles to win it (18.20).
“It feels so great to win the 300 again,” Ramos said. “I was really hoping I could win it again.
“In the 100, I was behind but I knew I just had to pick it up and I didn’t want to let my coaches down, so I was able to come on at the end.”
The Guards also received a victory from Rincan, who won her second straight 400 title (1:02.65), while Borot was first in the triple jump (30 feet 10). The Bell-Jeff 4x100 relay team of Balmy, Rincan, Ramos and Vanessa Smith placed second (54.02) with a qualifying mark.
On the boys’ side, Tim Carlson was a double winner for the Guards, taking the 800 (2:10.49) and the the triple jump (39-11 1/2). The other title was won by Nick Montijo in the 1,600 (4:47.30). Montijo also qualified with a second-place finish in the 3,200 (10:40.75)..
Both Bell-Jeff relay teams met qualifying standards: the 4x100 squad of Chris Antee, Carlson, Ronald Jurok and Canaan Williams placed third (46.52) and the 4x400 group of Sebastian Ceja, Carlson, Williams and Antee finished second (3:41.81).
“I am really proud of the kids and they are performing at the right time,” said Bell-Jeff Coach Jim Couch, whose program won seven titles at the 2016 finals. “We have small numbers, but the kids we do have are quality kids. I really appreciate the commitment of these kids.
“We have a lot of athletes who double and triple and even quadruple, but they’re trained for that.”
Twitter: @jefftsports
