Flintridge Prep’s Weiss vaults to new heights

LA CAÑADA — A laid back afternoon produced three unexpected results for the Flintridge Prep track and field program at the team’s Prep League cluster meet Thursday afternoon at La Cañada High.

Upstart league rival Pasadena Poly upset the Rebels in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions, 79-56 and 83-70, respectively, on a day in which Flintridge Prep junior Gareth Weiss set the school’s all-time record in the pole vault.

“Sometimes it’s actually a good thing to lose and I really hope this serves as motivation to the team, particularly to the younger athletes who haven’t experienced defeat,” Rebels Coach Nick Ponticello said. “The format was a little different today and that’s good, it mixes it up for our kids, but at the same time reminds them of who is good in league.”

Flintridge Prep, Poly, Mayfield and Vivian Webb participated in the meet that was highlighted by Weiss’ performance.

Less than a week earlier, brother Barrett Weiss set the school record in the pole vault with a vault of 14 feet, 1 1/2 inches at the Pasadena Games on Saturday afternoon.

While Barrett Weiss sat out Thursday’s meet, Gareth soared in hitting his second attempt at 14-6 and setting a new school record.

“For me and my brother, this record means a lot because we’re always competing and we’ve been so back and forth,” said Gareth, who attempted one try at 14-9 before missing and bowing out. “Barrett beat me last meet and that was great for him, but today was my turn.”

It was an unorthodox day overall for Gareth, who also finished second in the 100-meter dash (11.78) and tied for third in his 200 (24.49) debut.

“Gareth and Barrett have been blowing away their records over and over again, so I’m getting used to seeing this,” Ponticello said. “I’m most excited about this one because 14-6 is a big mark, one that really counts at CIF.”

The closer of the two competitions between Flintridge Prep and Poly took place on the girls’ side with the Panthers winning by 13 points on the strength of taking seven of 15 events (there was no discus), while Prep claimed four victories and third-place Mayfield, which finished with 46 points, also tallied four triumphs.

Rebels senior Sarah Yoho paced Flintridge Prep with a victory in the 3,200-meter run in a time of 12 minutes, 2.06 seconds, with that triumph following an earlier win for Yoho in the high jump.

Yoho tied teammate Nicole Emmons with a height of 4-8, but took the victory since Yoho had fewer total scratches.

Maybe the most intense event in which Yoho participated in was the only one she didn’t win, as the Prep League cross-country champion was edged by longtime rival Evan Gancedo of Poly in the 800, 2:23.86 to 2:24.24.

Flintridge Prep’s Ashley Lara also picked up a victory in the 1,600 in a comfortable time of 5:27.40.

“To be honest, today was really laid back,” Lara said. “Today was more for training than anything else. We’re using today to get ready for [the Arcadia Invitational] and for league prelims and finals down the road.”

The Rebels’ 1,600-meter relay squad picked up the team’s additional win in 4:28.68 while La Crescenta resident Marisa Sanchez of Mayfield captured the 400-meter dash (1:04.55).

Even though the Rebels took home five victories on the boys’ side, the visiting Panthers won nine of the other 10 competitions while both squads were disqualified in the 400-meter relay.

Flintridge Prep was strongest in the distances as Jack Van Scoter won the 800 (2:02.81), Alan Yoho claimed the 1,600 (4:34.94) and Nikhil Poole clinched the 3,200 (10:20.38).

Cameron Wen turned in the Rebels’ only other field victory when the thrower took won the shot put with a mark of 35-11 1/4.

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Follow Andrew J. Campa on Twitter: @campadresports.