TRACK AND FIELD: Hampton's record highlights big day on the track

Aside from Brandon Jauregui's monster triple Thursday at Saugus, there were several other outstanding track and field performances around the area that deserve recognition. I'm sure there's more, but not everybody who competed Thursday reported their information.

At the top of the list was Alex Hampton's program-record 58.69 in the 400 in Saugus' 85-51 victory over Canyon, putting the Centurions in strong position to capture a fourth consecutive Foothill League title. Hampton, who also ran legs on the victorious 400 (49.87) and 1,600 (4:07.88) relays as well as competing in the 200, broke the 2006 mark of 59.77 held by UCLA talent Shannon Murakami.

On the same track, Saugus' Amber Wright contributed four victories to Saugus' success, winning the 100 (12.62), 200 (25.83) and running strong legs on both relays, including an impressive anchor on the 400 relay, following Ashley Kramer, Jamie Molacek and Hampton.

Amber Murakami didn't pick up an individual win for Saugus, but took second in the 1,600 (5:09.59) behind teammate Stephanie Bulder (5:08.28) and finished runner-up (2:20.88) to teammate Anne Randall (2:19.25) in the 800, along with running a leg on the 1,600 relay with Nicole Penick. Hampton and Wright.

Canyon freshman Taylor Thomas didn't disappoint, winning two head-to-head battles with Kramer in the 100 (15.34) and 300 (48.44) hurdles.

Tiffini Stone doubled in the long jump (16-8 1/2) and triple jump (33-7) for Canyon, which received victories in the shot put (38-7 1/2) and discus throw (115-4) from Courtney Saunders.

Although it wasn't as highly publicized as Jauregui's three victories, Saugus' Karis Frankian produced an equally impressive triple in the girls' JV 800, 1,600 and 3,200 against Canyon, with teammate Emily McCarty pushing her every step of the way.

Valencia's Aly Drake followed her program record 2:14.80 in the 800 on March 26 against Saugus by running a 27.4 in the 200 and 58.4 in the 400 in a 96-40 victory over Golden Valley.

Oak Park's Melissa Skiba won a highly anticipated distance showdown against La Reina of Thousand Oaks, taking the 1,600 (5:03.48) and 3,200 (10:59.27) in the Eagles' 75-61 victory. Tara Blanchard doubled in the 400 (59.78) and 800 (2:24.23) for the Regents, who received a sprint sweep from Hanna Winter in the 100 (12.6) and 200 (25.9).

Although Glendale was defeated by Arcadia, the Nitros' Daniela Pollard took first in the long jump (17-1), the triple jump (37-2) and the high jump (4-8).

Josh Coefield picked up victories for Saugus in the 100 (10.72) and 200 (22.31) in the Centurions' 76-60 win over Canyon. Daniel Swarbrick doubled in the shot put (58-1 1/2) and discus throw (167-8) and Cameron Penta swept the 110 (15.56) and 300 (41.06) hurdles for Saugus, which defeated the Cowboys for the second year in a row after not beating Canyon since 1986.

Harrison Hall was impressive on the runway for Canyon, winning the long jump (20-11 1/2) and triple jump (42-8).

Valencia's Falco DiGiallonardo contributed to the Vikings' 68-68 tie in their Foothill League meet at Golden Valley by capturing the 800 and 1,600, but the times were unavailable.

Hoover of Glendale's Harold Tabora won the 200 (22.94) and 400 (51.82) in the Tornadoes' Pacific League win over Burbank, which received victories from Greg Dotson in the 800 (2:06) and 1,600 (4:33.4).