Five represent area at CIF final

A solid weekend for Spartans, Rebels, Tologs and Golden Knights as each had representatives this past Saturday at the CIF Southern Section track and field finals.

In Division III, two Spartans made it to the finals: high jumper Jonathan Sparks and 800 meters runner Kevin Hoffman, both juniors.

Sparks did well, finishing in second place in Division III with 6-05, just behind Division III champ Miles Beal of St. John Bosco at 6-07.

Sparks’ jump was in the top 12 across the divisions, which qualified him for the CIF Masters on Friday at Cerritos College.

Hoffman finished in seventh place in the boys’ 800 meters run at 2 minutes, 00.02 seconds. The time wasn’t his best, but he feels he learned something.

“I just didn’t run very well,” Hoffman said. “My legs were a little tired or something, but I guess I know what it takes to get to the next level.”

For Flintridge Prep, Dot Silverman qualified in two events—Division IV girls’ 1,600 and 800, and finished in seventh in both. Her 1,600 finish, at 5:08.14, was a remarkable race.

“Great race for her,” said Prep Coach Ingrid Herskind. “She had a seven-second personal record today. She ran really smart.”

“It was the race I’ve wanted to race all season,” Silverman said. “This week I was relaxed, I watched TV this morning, I didn’t overthink [the preparation]. I just clung to some girls and ran today. I had a lot of confidence today.”

Silverman aimed to break 2:20 in the 800, but fell just short at 2:22.83.

Flintridge Sacred Heart’s Drew Washington represented the Tologs in the girls’ 400 meters. She finished eighth with a time of 60.22.

St. Francis was also there with representative Luther Walker in the Division III boys’ triple jump. He finished in sixth place with 43-11.