Sophia Vaughan
Staff Writer
After a series of intensive meets, Mira Costa track faced the West Torrance Warriors in their third dual meet of the season.
Costa hosted West Torrance on Tuesday at Waller Stadium. The meet featured events such as the 200, 400, 800, and 3200 meter sprints. Hurdles, discus, high jump, long jump, and pole vault were also included. The dual meet was a friendly match between the two schools with the purpose of preparing the Mustangs for the upcoming Arcadia Invitational. Although it was a friendly meet, it was still an important one for Costa’s seniors, who competed in their final regular home meet of the season.
The Mustangs performed well across the board, taking first in two boys events and four girls events. Combined the Mustangs also raised their overall score by taking second and third in 13 other events, which helped contribute to their defeat of the West Torrance Warriors.
“It was difficult because a lot of our seniors are injured right now,” junior pole vaulter Makena Nakaji said. “But I was happy that we still did well.”
The Mustangs struggled in the 200 meter but still managed to place third in boys and fourth in girls. Senior Jules Barrieu led the boys, and sophomore Katherine Halkias led the girls with her strong showing against the Warriors. However, Costa began to take control of the meet in the 400 meter first when senior Amari Fraiser placed for the girls while also setting a personal record of 1:00.55. The Costa boys also performed well in the events that they competed in. Barrieau led the Mustangs by taking second in the event, which improved the Mustangs’ overall score in one of the most important meets of the season.
“The team did a really good job of being very supportive of one another during the meet and working together to perform well and win this meet,” junior long jumper Katelyn Lowry said.
Costa’s performance only continued to improve from there, as sophomore Dalia Frias took first in the women’s 800 meter with a time of 2:23.77. The Costa boys also took first in the 800, with junior Alex Fiorito dashing across the finish line in 2:04.07. Although the Costa boys struggled in the 3200 meter, junior Ella Scalabrini took second, keeping the Mustang winning streak alive.
“I improved my technique and I got my personal record, so it felt really good,” junior long jumper Jaesal Soma said. “We compete against West a lot and it felt good to add another win to our season as a team.”
As the Mustangs entered the 100 meter hurdle, Costa continued to control the meet. Top performer Fraser took her second win of the meet with a time of 15.23. Sophomore Nicholas Liou also placed well, earning a second place finish for the boys, increasing Costa’s lead heading into discus. Costa again delivered as junior Jacob Elison took first for the boys.
Despite the Mustangs struggle to place in the women’s pole vault or women’s long jump, the Costa boys managed to keep the momentum going with junior Casey Meyer reaching a personal best of 19’ 4.75” and grabbing second in the high jump. Junior Rory Schelly also managed to tie for second place in the long jump.
“Pole vault struggled a lot this meet,’ Nakaji said. “Most of our seniors who typically place are out with injuries so it was a challenge going in, but I was still proud that we worked hard.”
Costa finished strong in the Women’s Varsity Long Jump, with 0.senior Sadie Beaumont adding another win for the girls. Junior Kobe Miyake also added a third place to the boys record, rounding out the meet and giving the Mustangs an edge against the competition. In total, Costa’s girls and boys placed first in six events, second in 11 events and third in eight events.
“I was happy with my performance because I got to set a new personal record,” third place long jumper Lowry said.
The Mustangs, now 3-11, will compete in the Mount Sac Invitational at El Camino College today and tomorrow. The events will last two days, beginning at 5 p.m. today and at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The Mustangs hope to improve on their triple jumps and overall times before entering into the California Interscholastic Federation Playoffs according to Lowry.
“I have high hopes for our team with the CIF prelims approaching,” Soma said. “Everyone’s been working very hard.”
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