Esperanza Field Depth Helps Put Away Edison

Esperanza took advantage of its depth in the field events and defeated Edison for the first time in four years, 71-65, in a Sunset League boys’ track and field meet Thursday at Edison.

The top-ranked Aztecs finished in the top three in both throwing events and the pole vault, which countered sixth-ranked Edison’s dominance in the sprints. Esperanza also earned valuable points by finishing first and second in the triple jump and first and third in the high jump.

“We did it the hard way because we just got pummeled in the 100, 200 and 400,” Esperanza Coach Al Britt said. “The high jump and triple really turned it around for us.”

Esperanza (7-0, 3-0) also did well in the distance events, with Ryan Bousquet winning the 1,600 (4:33.6) and 3,200 (9:56.9). Bousquet needed to finish at least second in the 3,200 to clinch the victory for Esperanza. He took the lead early and finished nearly 12 seconds ahead of Edison’s Andy Knutsen.

“I’ve beaten him every time in league finals in cross-country and track, but this is the first time I’ve ever beaten him in a dual meet,” Bousquet said.

Adam Miller gave the Aztecs a big boost early when he surged ahead of Knutsen just before the finish line to win the 800 in 2:01.5.

“I owe most of my race today to [Miller] because he just really gave me the inspiration to come out here and work as hard as I could,” Bousquet said.

Travis Pendleton won the discus with a throw of 172 feet 7 inches, followed by teammates Barret Woods (162-0) and Ricky Fry (153-1 1/2). Nate Steinbacher won the shotput (53-4), ahead of Woods (49-7) and Travis Jones (48-4).

Bobby Sparks and Brandon Guffy each cleared 14-0 to win the pole vault for the Aztecs, and Scott Robinson was third (13-6).

Edison was led by sophomore Darryl Poston, who won the 100 (11.0), 200 (22.6) and was second in the long jump (20-3 1/2). Teammate Eddie Dwelley won the 300 hurdles (39-9), long jump (20-5 1/4) and was second in the high jump (6-0).

The second-ranked Esperanza girls’ team had a much easier time with the seventh-ranked Chargers, winning 99-36.

Shalanie Ross won the 100 (12.7) and 200 (26.9), Maribeth Buche won the 400 (59.9) and 800 (2:21.9), Kristin Chadez won the 1,600 (5:33.2) and 3,200 (11:47.6), and Nicole Lomeli won the 100 hurdles (16.2) and 300 hurdles (48.7) for the Aztecs (7-0, 3-0).

In another Sunset League meet:

No. 9 Marina 84, Huntington Beach 52--Caroline Rebello cleared a season-best 11-6 in the pole vault for Marina (6-1, 2-1).