Dogs fall in key matchup
ARCADIA — It might have been an ominous omen when the Burbank High girls’ track and field team was disqualified in the 4x100-meter relay to open Thursday’s Pacific League tri-meet against Arcadia and Pasadena.
With both the Bulldogs and Apaches undefeated going into what was likely the battle for the league championship, Burbank could ill afford to give up any points.
But as it turned out, the one event meant little in the final standings.
With a wealth of depth, host Arcadia was able to sweep the girls’ and boys’ contests, as both of its squads remained unbeaten in league competition.
On the girls’ side, Burbank (5-1 in league) split, defeating Pasadena, 124-7, and losing to Arcadia, 100.33-35.66. The Apaches defeated Pasadena, 126-6.
On the boys’ side, Burbank got by Pasadena, 82-49, and lost to Arcadia, 110.66-25.33. The Apaches earned a 116-19 victory against Pasadena.
Burbank Coach Darin Wolf thought his girls had a chance to defeat the Apaches (6-0).
“We knew that we weren’t going to get a lot of points in the running events,” said Wolf, whose squad grabbed just one first-place finish in the running events. “But I was hoping that we were going to be able to score our share of points in the field events. But we didn’t score as many in the field events as I thought we would.”
The lone victory of the day for the local Bulldogs came in the 100, as freshman Julia Newton won the event in 12.80 seconds. In what was expected to be a tightly contested meet, Newton said she didn’t feel any pressure to score points.
“I always try and do my best, no matter what,” said Newton, who also finished third in the 200 (26.75). “It’s always nice to get a PR and it’s always nice to win.”
Burbank also received a solid effort from Haley Pirruccello, who placed second in the 100 (13.02), second in the 100 hurdles (17.57) and second in the 300 hurdles (49.4).
Hannan Park earned a pair of second-place results in the pole vault (7 feet 6) and the discus (82-0).
The Bulldogs also took just one event in the boys’ competition. Senior Daniel Mata, who was battling back from a groin injury, placed first in the 300 hurdles in 43.33.
Hobbled by an injury that also sidelined him last season, Mata was unsure of how he was going to perform in the race.
“I felt very stiff going in today,” Mata said. “When I started the race and hit the first hurdle, it felt good. Then when I went over the second hurdle and I still felt good, I thought I might have a chance to win it.”
Burbank (2-3-1) also received a pair of second-place finishes from Isaiah Amos in the 800 (1:57.75) and the 1,600 (4:20.96). Also earning runner-up showings were David Kang in the long jump (17-7) and Wang Su Lee in the shot put (42-5).
Arcadia (6-0) swept the 200 and the pole vault.