Sunset League Competition Proves Too Much for Some

There was some heavy-duty competition in the field events at the Sunset League track and field finals Friday night at Huntington Beach.

Some of the best weight men in the county battled for one of only three Southern Section qualifying positions. A couple of participants in the shotput and discus who might have challenged for a league title in any other league went home for the season.

Junior Sam Lightbody (Huntington Beach) won the discus (172-0) on his third throw of the first round. He edged Esperanza’s Travis Pendleton (171-10). Roland Gutierrez of Esperanza, who recently became eligible, was third (155-1), which was bad news for Lucas Dunbar of Marina (154-7). Also failing to advance were Barrett Woods of Esperanza (145-07) and Justin Birrell of Esperanza (142-7). Each had posted some of the county’s best throws this season.

Lightbody won the shotput, followed by Birrell and Dunbar. The boys’ and girls’ pole vault also had competitive fields.

“I don’t think it’s fair that they can’t go on,” Lightbody said. “The [Southern Section] should go by the best mark each person has had during the year.”

Stacy Jarne of Esperanza set a school record and personal best in the discus (132-2), beating teammates Carolyn Pendleton (124-8) and Stephanie Samson (108-2.5).

Freshman Maribeth Buche of Esperanza (2:15.56) turned in a blistering upset in the girls’ 800 meters. She took the lead from favorite Kristen Green of Huntington Beach and recorded the a personal-best time, the second-best by a county runner this year. Green was second with a personal-best of 2:18.46.

Buche also won the 400 in 57.8, one of the better times in the county this season.

Jenny Wootton of Marina (triple jump and long jump) and Ryan Bousquet of Esperanza (1,600 and 3,200 meters) were among double winners.