St. Francis’ Foster repeats as Mission League champion in 110 hurdles
LOS ANGELES — Having recovered from a torn meniscus suffered during the football season last fall, Jasher Foster is looking to have another successful spring.
The St. Francis High senior track and field standout competed in just a couple of meets during the season, while rounding back into shape.
Foster answered the bell Thursday during the Mission League finals at Occidental College.
Foster repeated as league champion in the 110-high hurdles by clocking 14.54 seconds and took second in the 300 hurdles in 39.59.
“It’s great to be back out here racing and I feel pretty good,” said Foster, who qualified in both events for the CIF Southern Section Division III prelims on May 14 at Estancia High in Costa Mesa. “I wanted to come back strong and win the 110 again.
“I started off well and then I hit a couple of hurdles. I can still work on some things with technique. In the 300, I tried hard to win it. I try to go with the right leg going up over the hurdle first, but I got my left leg up instead. I’m feeling good and I’ve got some time to improve [in both races].”
In the 110, Foster edged Joshua Thomas of Chaminade (15.60). Sherman Oaks Notre Dame’s Austin Leitz won the 300 in 38.42. Foster finished second in the 300 last season.
Foster took the league crown in 14.43 last season before winning the CIF championship. He then finished fourth at the CIF Masters Meet and eighth in state.
“He did very well,” St. Francis Coach Mike Russell said. “I’m very happy with the way he ran and it’s tough to come back from that kind of injury.
“He’s worked hard at getting back. We’re hoping he can come back and win the 110 [at CIF].”
St. Francis had two other athletes qualify for the prelims.
Senior Christian Rodriguez moved on after finishing third in the 1,600 in a personal-best time of 4:28.65. Rodriguez was in fifth place through the first three laps of the four-lap event. He then passed a pair of runners to take third.
St. Francis freshman Matthew Molina finished in a three-way tie for third in the high jump with a personal-best mark of 6 feet.
“I’m happy for Christian and Matthew because they’ve been putting in the work the whole season,” Russell said. “There’s nothing more you can ask, so I’m glad they qualified.”
The CIF finals for all four divisions will take place May 21 at Cerritos College in Norwalk.
