HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS : Simi Valley’s Streak Runs Off Track

In a meet that lasted more than five hours and went down to the final event, the Thousand Oaks High boys upset Simi Valley, 64-63, ending Simi Valley’s Marmonte League winning streak at 33. Simi Valley had won 63 of its past 64 dual meets and hadn’t lost in league since 1982.

Simi Valley’s tradition of league domination took a beating when Brad Lundgren of Thousand Oaks cleared the crossbar at 12-0 in the pole vault, the last event of the meet. Simi Valley’s Eric Hayes also cleared 12-0, but Lundgren had fewer misses at that height.

“We knew we had a shot at them,” Thousand Oaks Coach John Hansen said. “They are an excellent team with a fine tradition and it’s hard to beat a team like that. But we have tradition at our school, too, and we are pleased with our kids.”

A Thousand Oaks sweep in the two-mile race, led by winner John Rogers, gave Thousand Oaks a 55-49 lead with three events remaining. Simi Valley’s victory in the mile relay (3:27.1) and a first- and a third-place in the triple jump gave the Pioneers a 60-58 lead with only the pole vault event left.

Thousand Oaks (2-0) used victories by Doug Fairman in the mile, Darren Bernard in the 440 (49.9), Paul McCarter in the 880 (2:04), Ken Haefliger in the shotput (48-10 1/2) and Manny Vasquez in the 330 intermediate hurdles (42.3) to record the upset.

Simi Valley’s Robert Harris won a wind-aided 100 meters (10.5) and the 220-yard dash (22.1). Harris also ran the anchor leg on the winning 440 relay (43.5). Mike Carnes won the long jump (22-5 1/2) for Simi Valley (1-1).

In the girls meet, Sharon Manship and Staci Leach led Thousand Oaks (2-0) to an 86-32 victory. Manship won the 330 low hurdles (46.7), 440 (1:01.6), long jump (17-0) and high jump (5-2). Leach won the 100 meters (12.1), 110 low hurdles (14.2) and the 220 (25.5) and ran the anchor leg on the Lancers’ winning 440 relay (52.0). For Simi Valley (1-1), Vanessa Dixon won the triple jump (33-1).