Bronze Bowl stays with Glendale High track and field

GLENDALE — A large crowd flocked to midfield at Moyse Field on Wednesday for yet another big celebration, punctuated by hoisting a trophy in the air.

It’s become a regular occurrence for the Glendale High track and field program, which continued its domination of cross-town rival Hoover. Backed by some impressive efforts from Lauren Hansen, Andrea Popescu and Mike Williams, Glendale maintained ownership of the Bronze Bowl.

Hansen won two individual events and helped win a relay race and Popescu won three individual events to spark the host Glendale girls to a 95-28 Pacific League win against Hoover. In the boys’ competition, Williams captured three field events to propel Glendale to an 80-55 victory.

Glendale retained possession of the Bronze Bowl — given to the school with the most total points at the Hoover-Glendale meet — with a 175-83 victory. The Nitros improved to 14-0 in the history of the bowl.

“It means a lot to be able to keep it and it also shows about school pride,” said Hansen, a senior. “It’s all about tradition and hard work. You just go out there and try to stay as focused as you can.”

Hansen did just that, capturing the 800-meter race in 2 minutes 40.53 seconds and the 400 (64.93).

Hansen also worked with Kenya Gaskin, Cecile Le Duff and Vard Sargsyan to win the 4x400 relay in 4:46.35 to help Glendale improve to 4-3 overall and 4-3 in league.

“I thought I ran well in the 800,” Hansen said. “You have to have the speed and endurance, and I think that’s the hardest event to run.

“You have to stay focused and think you can do well. There’s little recovery time after doing the 400.”

Popescu shined in the field events, winning the long jump (13 feet 7 1/2 inches), triple jump (31-4) and high jump (4-4).

Le Duff, Gaskin and Alex Stone each won a pair of individual events.

Le Duff took first in the 100 hurdles (19.93) and 300 hurdles (55.56). Gaskin turned in first-place performances in the 100 (12.65) and 200 (27.83). Stone won the shot put (26-3) and discus (73-2).

The Nitros’ 4x100 relay quartet of Gaskin, Sargsyan, Kristina Fabular and Le Duff won in 56.27.

Hoover (2-5 overall and in league) received a strong effort from Lucik Minassian, who won three events. Minassian finished first in the 800 (2:43), 1,600 (5:54) and 3,200 (12:43).

“I went out there and tried to help my team out,” Minassian said. “I felt most comfortable in the 3,200 because that’s my most enjoyable race.

“I wanted to get in some good races going into the league prelims.”

In the boys’ portion of the meet, Williams led the charge for Glendale (4-3 overall and in league).

While he’s open to participating in almost any event, Williams showed he could handle the field events Wednesday.

“Whatever they want me to do I will do,” said Williams, who finished first in the pole vault (11-6), long jump (17-3) and triple jump (37-3). “The pole vault is mostly my main focus and the triple jump worked best for me.

“The difference between this meet and any other meet is that bowl. You want to be a part of it and be able to hold it while celebrating with all of your teammates.”

Glendale got two individual wins each from Mike Davis, Tristin Pacba and Krisnel Miraflor to turn back Hoover (1-6 overall and league).

Davis, who advanced to the state meet last season in the 200, clocked 22.55 in the 200 and 10.46 in the 100. Pacba took first in the 110 hurdles (16.60) and 300 hurdles (43.18). Miraflor won the shot put (39-0) and discus (100-4).

Davis and Pacba teamed up with Daniel Jung and Marsel Grigoryan to finish first in the 4x100 relay (44.50).

Hoover received a big performance from Kenneth Trejo, who won three individual races and helped the Tornadoes win the 4x400 relay.

Trejo won the 800 (2:08), 1,600 (4:33) and 3,200 (10:20), giving him confidence entering the league prelims April 26 at Arcadia High and possibly the finals May 3 at the same venue.

“I’m feeling great right now,” Trejo said. “I love putting in a full effort to help out my team and I’m optimistic about doing well at Arcadia.”

Trejo worked with Jeremy Zadoorian, Zach Hanson and Sang Ha to win the 4x400 relay (3:34.6). Zadoorian won the 400 (52.6).