Boys track: Eagles crack dual-meet victory column

Richard Dunn

COSTA MESA - The last time Estancia High’s boys track and field

team won a dual meet, Mark McGwire had yet to hit any of his

record-breaking 70 home runs with the St. Louis Cardinals. But that’s

anothe sport, and another day.

“It was against Ocean View (in March 1998),” longtime Estancia Coach

Charlie Appeal said. “We were 0-16 in our last 16 dual meets.”

That’s past tense, mind you. Which means, after Thursday’s Pacific

Coast League opener against crosstown rival Costa Mesa, the streak was

finally over for the Eagles.

Leading the way for host Estancia in its 66-53 victory over Mesa was

junior Mike Casillas and sophomore Humberto Rojas, while junior Bobby

Arroyo captured both throwing events.

Rojas crossed first in the 1,600 meters (4:43.78), ahead of runner-up

Casillas (4:50.31), then the two distance standouts flipped positions in

the 3,200, as Casillas (10:38.78) edged Rojas (10:38.8).

Estancia’s Kyle Casillas won the high jump (5-foot-4) uncontested,

while Arroyo was first in the shot put (41-8 1/2) and discus (105-5) for

the Eagles.

Panfilo Elias won the 800 (2:10.3) for Estancia, while teammate Erik

Lopez was third in 2:17.69.

One of the meet’s most impressive individual performances was turned

in by Costa Mesa senior Josh Strickland, who finished first in the 100

(11.34) and 200 (24.14) and anchored both winning relays.

In the 1,600 relay, Strickland was pushed hard by Estancia’s Rojas in

the closing steps, but Strickland held off Rojas in an exciting finish,

then thrust both arms into the air.

“My goal this year is to break the school record in either the 100,

200 or 400,” Strickland said. “That could be something people remember me

by at school.”

Costa Mesa sophomore Zach Powell, who also ran on both relays,

enjoyed a winning 55.16 in the 400, ahead of teammate Louis Day.

Day won the long jump at 19-10 1/2, followed by Estancia’s Jason

Johnston (18-9 1/2) and Junior Tanielu (18-7). Tanielu was also second in

the 100 (11.75).

Estancia’s Omar Zuniga also contributed to the Eagles’ triumph with a

victory in the triple jump at 39-10 and third-place showing in the 200

(24.74). Kyle Casillas was also second in the 200 (24.63) and third in

the 100 (11.8).