Arcadia Invitational : Ramona’s Alduenda to Test Best in Pole Vault in Tonight’s Classic

Ramona High pole vaulter Pat Alduenda will be one of a number of San Diego County’s top track and field athletes who will test their abilities against the state’s best tonight in the 20th annual Arcadia Invitational.

San Diego High’s Marc Davis, the national cross country champion, will compete in the distance events, as will Vista’s Kira Jorgensen. Jorgensen, who finished fourth in the national cross country championships in December, was the top finisher from California.

Other area athletes expected to compete are Mount Miguel’s Jackie Anderson in the triple jump and long jump, Fallbrook’s Christine Hand in the middle distance races, Torrey Pines’ Nicole Nugent in the distance races, Lincoln’s Patrick Rowe in the sprints and Monte Vista’s Matt Farmer in the high jump.

Field events, other than the discus, will begin at 5:30, opening ceremonies are set for 6:20 p.m., and running events for 6:40.

The discus, scheduled for 4 p.m., will focus on Kamy Keshmiri of Reno, Nev., the national record-holder with a throw of 214 feet 11 inches, and Dwight Johnson of Tempe, Ariz., with a best of 204-9, making this the first match of two high school athletes who have thrown 204 or better.

Janeene Vickers of Pomona, who was scheduled to run the 200, 400, 100 low hurdles and anchor the 400-meter relay, has a groin injury and will not compete. The Hawthorne boys’ relay teams, with the top times in the state in both relays, have also dropped out.

Although the main competition will be held in the evening, there will also be an early session, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., to allow more athletes a chance to compete. The stands will be cleared for an hour after that.