These track and field girls are in a class of their own
They’re teenage wonder women of high school track and field.
Junior Ariana Washington of Long Beach Poly is the state’s fastest sprinter. Junior Sarah Baxter of Simi Valley is the state’s No. 1 distance runner. Freshman Courtney Corrin of Studio City Harvard-Westlake is the state’s No. 1 long jumper.
Get their autographs now, because in the years ahead, you’ll have to wait in long lines when they’re in college and maybe competing in the Olympics.
They’re an extraordinary trio just getting started. Each will be in the spotlight Friday and Saturday during the state track and field championships at Buchanan High in Clovis.
Washington is in position to win four events. She has blazed to state-leading times of 11.51 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.18 in the 200. She’s also running in two relays.
“I’m peaking at the right time, so I can do it,” she said. “I’ve just got to prepare right and get enough rest, because that will be seven events in two days.”
Baxter will be seeking her third consecutive state championship in the 3,200. She’s the reigning Gatorade national cross-country runner of the year, who has never lost a cross-country race in high school.
Corrin is the nation’s leading long jumper at 20 feet 11.
Together, they’re going to help make California a trendsetter in high school sports again.
Fast company
For every star athlete, there’s a coach behind the scenes making a difference. And at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Joe McNab has been helping students fulfill their goals for 32 years, including 27 years as track coach.
His first 100-meter state champion was Justin Fargas in 1997. His second was Rodney Glass in 2005. And now Khalfani Muhammad is trying to be a repeat 100 champion.
Three state champions in the 100 in 15 years is no coincidence. McNab is so committed to helping his athletes that a couple weeks ago, his wife had to text him when his son, Matt, was coming to the plate to hit for Notre Dame’s baseball team so McNab could take a peek through a fence while focusing on track workouts, then spring football practice.
Civic pride
Saturday could be a historic day for those who live in San Fernando.
San Fernando High and San Fernando Cesar Chavez each could be playing for City Section baseball championships at Dodger Stadium in Division I and II, respectively.
San Fernando must get past Banning on Wednesday in a 6 p.m. Division I semifinal at USC. Chavez must defeat Eagle Rock on Thursday in a 3 p.m. Division II semifinal at USC.
Power surge
The hottest power hitter in baseball not named Miguel Cabrera is Jake Bauers of Huntington Beach Marina. He has hit four home runs during the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, giving him 10 this season.
Next up is a Tuesday 4 p.m. semifinal game against Los Angeles Loyola at Blair Field in Long Beach. Bauers is batting .582 with 46 hits and only five strikeouts in 79 at-bats. The other semifinal matches Studio City Harvard-Westlake and Los Alamitos at 7 p.m. The winners play on Friday night at Dodger Stadium in the 8 p.m. final.
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