Julian Track Team Scores
by Bobbi Zane

Gina Beckman on left, Amy Whirlow on right, first place winners of the 4 x 400 run in the Citrus League meet.

The Julian High School track team took top honors in two meets held in late May.

The team took first place among six San Diego County high schools at the Citrus League meet held at Julian High School on May 14 with a score of 231 points for the girls squad and 205 for the boys. The girls took first place in seven running and four field events, while the boys came in first in seven running and three field events.

The first place finish qualified the 36-member team to compete in the CIF Southern Section, a qualifying meet for all high schools in San Diego and Imperial counties, held at Poway High School on May 22. Two girls, high jumper Miranda Smelser and shot putter Amanda Young, bested the top field stars from 80 high schools in the meet, making them eligible to compete in the CIF finals.

The CIF was a good meet for the team, as several athletes broke Julian High School records. Track athletes include: Claire Hutchinson, 800 meter run; Amy Whirlow, 300 meter hurdles; Tyler Weiss, 300 meter hurdles; Serena Gannon, 3200 meter run; and the 4 X 100 meter relay team comprised of Amy Whirlow, Jessica Gonsalves, Gina Beckman, and Miranda Smseler. In addition, Miranda Smelser captured the high jump record.

Kurt Dalton, first place winner of the 100-meter run in the Citrus League meet.

In the earlier Citrus League meet, the girls team walked off the track with 11 first place awards, seven in running events and four in field events. The boys took 10 first place awards, seven in running and three in field.

This has been a remarkable achievement for a program that is only four years old, according to head coach Bill Porter. "We restarted the program with seven athletes after an all-weather track was installed as a part of the high school renovation. Each year more student athletes have become involved and this year we have 38 on the team, 19 boys and 19 girls. Now we have a solid boys and girls team that is strong across the board."

Amanda Young, first place winner of the shot put.

Several members of the Julian High School track team.

Noah Sloan, first place winner of the 3200-meter run in the Citrus League meet.