Track: Fernandez backs up Babcock’s huge effort with one of his own

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Wow....and people thought this CIF state meet would be boring compared to last season’s. Not so far.

After Christine Babcock of Woodbridge lowered her National Federation of High School Assns. record in the girls’ 1,600 meters, German of Fernandez of Riverbank nearly broke a NFHS record, winning the four-lap race in 4 minutes 29 seconds, the third-fastest time in NFHS history.

Fernandez’s time broke the state-meet record of 4:02.62 set by Ryan Hall of Big Bear in 2001. This will undoubtedly be remembered as the year of the 1,600.

Who can top those performances?

Vashti Thomas of San Jose Mt. Pleasant gave it a try, winning the girls’ long jump with a mark of 20-2 1/4 and the 100 hurdles in 13.44, making her the first double winner of the day. The girls’ discus has also concluded, with state leader Anna Jelmini of Shafter taking first with a toss of 169-4, well off her season best of 183-11, however.

We have another Southern Section winner as well. Cameron Gillette of La Mirada won the boys’ long jump with a wind-aided mark of 24-1 1/4.

-- Dan Arritt

Note: For up-to-the-minute results of the CIF state championship meet, check here.