Girls’ Athlete of the Week : Tochluk Reaches Goal and State Meet

Two years ago at the Masters track and field meet, Shelly Tochluk of Westminster High School finished seventh in the 400 meters, two places away from qualifying for the State meet.

Tochluk, however, was not too disappointed. After all, Tochluk was only a sophomore. There were more great track times ahead during her junior year, right?

Wrong.

Tochluk did not even qualify for the Southern Section preliminaries in what she called a “disastrous” junior season.

“To be perfectly honest, I thought I was really good last year,” she said. “I took it for granted how much training it took.

“I had let myself get out of shape because of the cockiness, and by the time the season started, it was just too late. I couldn’t get myself into it.”

As soon as her track season ended in her junior year, Tochluk vowed she would make the State meet as a senior.

Tochluk, The Times’ athlete of the week, has attained her goal. Friday, at the Masters meet, Tochluk placed third in the 400 to qualified for the State meet. Her time of 55.77 seconds was the best in Orange County this season and the fifth-best in county history.

It also was a personal record for Tochluk. Her previous best was 56.20 set the week before at the Southern Section 4-A finals.

Her success stems from a change in attitude and training. Tochluk played soccer and gutted out a tough cross-country season this year to help her stay in shape for track.

TOP PERFORMERS

Allison Franke of Canyon won her third consecutive Masters title in the discus (153 feet 11 inches) and placed fourth in the long jump (17-8 3/4).

Freshman Shelley Taylor of Edison won the 1,600 in 4:59.25, the ninth-fastest time in the nation this season, and placed second in the 800 (2:13:10) at the Masters meet.

Dawn Fowler of Western pitched a perfect game against Rubidoux with nine strikeouts and threw a three-hitter against top-seeded Hart to help the Pioneers advance to the semifinals of the 4-A softball playoffs.

Shelly Tochluk

Westminster High

Position: Sprinter.

Height, Weight, Class: 5-8, 125, Senior.

Last Week: Placed third in the 400 meters (55.77 seconds) at the Masters meet, running the best time in Orange County this season.

Season: Was undefeated in the 400 and 200 in five Sunset League dual meets and won the 100, 200 and 400 in the league finals.