Boys’ Track and Field Preview: Flintridge Prep, St. Francis look to replace standouts

There are two truths in regards to the transition from the 2016 boys’ track and field season to the 2017 campaign.

The first is that the city of La Cañada Flintridge enjoyed spectacular success on the backs of Flintridge Prep’s Jack Van Scoter and St. Francis’ Jasher Foster.

Both graduated with a legacy that included four CIF Southern Section individual championships just last season.

There is no clear replacement in the wings for either, at least at the elite level.

So, the question remains as to who will stand out this year among the athletes from Flintridge Prep, La Cañada and St. Francis highs.

With Van Scoter last season, the Rebels finished as league runner-up to archrival Pasadena Poly and took home two individual league titles.

While doing well in league is something Flintridge Prep’s Jen Molebash is striving for, the second-year coach also wants her team to look beyond the confines of league.

“League is a fun culmination to the season for the majority of the squad, but really my sights are always going to that next step, which would be advancing all the way through to CIF prelims and finals,” Molebash said. “Collectively as a school, we want to do very well at league prelims, but then after that date the sport becomes very individual.”

Perhaps as expected with the success of the cross-country team, the Rebels will be strong in the distances.

Junior Evan Patinelli rejoins the squad off a wonderful cross-country season in which he captured the CIF Southern Section Division V title in 15 minutes, 10.81 seconds. Last season, Patinelli took third in the 1,600 (4:31.59) and in the 3,200 (9:41.16) at league finals and advanced to the CIF prelims.

Johnny Vahala, a team leader in cross-country, will bring his senior experience in track in both the 1,600 and 3,200, while Riley Coan, who took second in the league 800-meter finals in 2:03.47, is also back.

In the field events, senior Warren Hosseinion’s is his team’s standout after finishing second in the league finals in the shot put (44 feet, 2 1/4 inches) and discus (129-3).

Last season, La Cañada only captured one title at the Rio Hondo League championships and it took place in the final event.

The boys’ 1,600-meter relay squad of Kamden Gray, Jack Meeker, Mathew Tsujihara and Seve Rodriguez captured the league crown in 3:31.33. The Spartans’ foursome eventually finished 24th at the division prelims.

The Spartans return all but Gray from that squad.

“I expect them to do well,” La Cañada Coach Casey Mollett said. “I think they’re a strong team and we’ll see how they do this year.”

Meeker and Rodriguez will play a big factor in the Spartans’ success as both are expected to compete in both relays, along with the 200 and 400. Mollett said he would likely find time for Rodriguez in the long jump.

Mollett said this year’s squad numbers around 44 athletes and the veteran is most excited about freshmen David Miketta, Ryan Johnson and Sheldon Watanabe.

Johnson may very well bounce around six events, consisting of both relays, the 100, 200, long jump and high jump.

Watanabe is set to go in both relays, the 200 and 400, while Miketta is primed for the high and long jumps along with the 100 and 400-meter relay.

The numbers continue to rise for St. Francis High in the third year of coach Mike Russell.

“There’s about 85 kids out right now for track as opposed to 70 last year,” Russell said. “Everything is going to plan and the kids have bought in. I think they have what it takes to be successful.”

Russell graduated perhaps the most dynamic athlete in St. Francis track and field history in Foster (Mt. San Antonio College), who won three CIF Southern Section championships over the past two seasons.

While Russell does not have a similar athlete on this year’s squad, the Golden Knights collectively may be stronger.

Junior sprinter/relay runner Taylor Bosveld returns and will compete in the 100 and 200, along with the 400-meter and 1,600-meter relays. Junior Blake Howard is also back in the hurdles and long jump, while football standouts Gabriel Grbavac and Greg Dulich will participate in the shot put and triple jump, respectively.

Russell is also optimistic about 200-meter runner Michael Leon, who will be available to compete in the 400 and 400 relay.