Burbank track sweeps rival Burroughs
Unlike some other sports, the crosstown rivalry in track and field between Burbank and Burroughs highs is more of a friendly competition.
The programs even hold a mutual fundraiser following the annual meet at Bob’s Big Boy in Toluca Lake.
“We co-host two invitationals and three all-comers meets, so we should be able to work together,” Indians Coach John Peebles said.
In the latest installment of the rivalry clash Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Field, both teams had their share of individuals who captured multiple events.
But it was Burbank that came away with a sweep, winning on the boys’ side, 73-63, and in the girls’ meet, 71-60.
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“On paper, it looked that we would be able to win in both boys and girls’,” said Burbank Coach Darin Wolf, whose boys finished 6-1 in league and whose girls finished 5-1-1. “But you never want to be overconfident because you never know what might happen in a meet like this.
“I figured that we would win by a little bit, but in track that little bit sometimes doesn’t go your way.”
The Bulldog boys received a fine performance from Vidavit Shetty, who was a triple winner in the 400 meters in 52.36 seconds, the long jump in 20 feet 7 inches and the triple jump with a 43-9 effort.
Burbank also had a double winner in Sergio Aguilar in the 110 hurdles (16.10) and the 300 hurdles (41.45).
In the closest event of the day, Burbank’s Oladele Hospidales won the 100 in 11.56, outleaning Burroughs’ Chance Bell (11.58) and teammate Byron Hopson (11.59) at the finish.
Hopson won the 200 (23.38) and the Bulldogs received first-place efforts from Erik Harutyunyan in the high jump (5-8), Sarkis Tatarian in the shot put (39-8 1/2) and Alan Hovanesian in the discus (127-4).
“That was tough in the 100 because we were all so close,” Hopson said. “But I felt good in the 200 and I was happy I was able to come back to win it.”
Burroughs (4-3 in league) had a double winner in Jagdeep Chahal in the 1,600 (4:31.30), just defeating teammate Timothy Wells (4:31.32), and the 3,200 (10:00.49) and Daniel Fendrich was first in the 800 (1:58.23).
In one of the best efforts of the meet, Indian Christian Valles won the pole vault in a personal-best mark of 14-9.
In the girls’ competition, the Bulldogs had a pair of triple winners in Kira Bochard and Haleigh Cusumano. Bochard took the 400 (59.40), the 300 hurdles (47.45) and the triple jump (33-3 1/2), while Cusumano was first in the high jump (4-6), the long jump (17-3) and the 100 hurdles (15.50).
“For every rivalry in every sport, I’m in it to win it,” said Bochard, who also runs cross-country and plays soccer for the Bulldogs. “I like the aspect of the rivalry and I will do everything that I can to help me or my teammates win.
“I know a lot of the girls from Burroughs and we all grew up together and a lot of us played Little League and other sports in the city. Although I want to beat them, it’s not a mean rivalry between us.”
Burbank also received victories from Noemi Apreza in the 3,200 (12:06.74), Mikaela Teixeira in the pole vault (11-0) and Clara Bishop in the shot put (21-4 1/2).
The Indians (3-4 in league) had a duo of double winners in Emma Bartram in the 100 (13.48) and the 200 (27.40) and Emily Virtue in the 1,600 (5:19.30) and the 800 (2:18.24), which was a personal best. Burroughs’ Nadime Younan took the discus (99-3).
Twitter: @jefftsports
