At Relays, Tolson Just Keeps Going

Fountain Valley High School’s Elinor Tolson had a busy and fast day Saturday at the Tustin Relays.

Tolson, a sophomore who placed ninth in the State meet last season in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles, wasn’t hindered by an early season injury to her left foot while competing in four events at Rancho Santiago College.

Tolson injured her foot during practice at the beginning of the season. But she didn’t seem to be bothered Saturday, running the shuttle hurdles and three other relays (400 and 800 meters and the sprint medley).

In Fountain Valley’s best race, the sprint medley, Tolson contributed a 400-meter leg as the Barons won their heat in 2 minutes 56.8 seconds. The Barons finished second overall to Woodbridge, which ran 2:56.0. Fountain Valley also took third in the shuttle hurdles (1:10.5) and 400 (51.3) and a fifth in the 800 (1:54.2).

In the all-relay girls’ team competition, Woodbridge edged Claremont, 57-56. Marina was third with 28 1/3 points.

Saddleback won the boys’ competition with 69 points. El Toro was second (38) and Fountain Valley third (33).

Saddleback’s Jarrett Murell, Charlie Davidson, Tony Davis and Kimiko Bandy combined to win the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays and sprint medley.

Tolson has big goals this year, and they include winning the State meet in the 100-meter hurdles and running 13.5 seconds in the event.

“I was sick for a long time with a bad cold, and the top of my foot was hurting,” said Tolson, who ran for La Quinta last season. “But now my times are coming down, and I feel that I’m going to do better this year.”

Tolson said she doesn’t feel as intimidated by other runners as she did as a freshman. She also said she is more dedicated.

“Last year, I was scared because I had never made it that far before,” Tolson said. “I ran track for the Time Machine (track club) before high school, but that was fun. High school (competition) is planning you for the future.”

Tolson wasn’t the only runner in a hurry Saturday.

Orange Lutheran sophomore Amber Parkinson rushed to finish the 6,400-meter relay, running her 1,600 meter leg in a quick 5:08, so she could leave for her club soccer game.