HACIENDA LEAGUE TRACK FINALS PHOTO GALLERY

By Fred J. Robledo, SGVN
There were no surprises at Thursday’s Hacienda League track and field finals, Bonita’s distance specialist Marissa Scott and Bonita sprinter Toure McCully won three titles in preparation for next week’s CIF-Southern Section prelims.

Super senior Nick Rivera of Rowland dominated in winning the 800 and 1,600 meters, state favorite Andrew Fischer set a personal-best in the 300 hurdles and Diamond Bar’s Udodi Okwandu dominated the girls muscle events in winning the 100 and 200 meters, and Rowland’s Desdrith Mejia won both girls hurdle events.

Scott, the area cross country runner of the year, set meet records in winning the 800 (2:19.23), 1,600 (5:17.64) and 3,200-meters (11:37.33).

She wasn’t challenged in any of the races.

“It’s a big accomplishment for me,” Scott said. “I think I can go a lot faster in the mile and two mile, we’ll have to see how it goes at CIF. But I’m proud of myself. I’ve worked really hard with cross country and track the last two years.”

McCully started the day wanting to set a personal best in the long jump and did just that with a winning leap of 22-10 to finish first.

McCully also won the 100 meters in 10.95 and dominated his signature event, the 110 hurdles, winning in 14.32.

McCully is hoping to win a Division 3 title in the hurdles.

“I came here wanting to take care of business and it was a good day,” McCully said. “I think I have a good shot at CIF in the hurdles. I won at the San Gabriel Valley championships and all the good hurdlers in my division were there, so we’ll see what happens.”

Rivera toned in down this season after competing in four events last year. He dominated his two events, winning the 800 in 1:53.70 and 1,600 in 4:21.85.

Rivera will be among the favorites in both events in Division 2.

“I backed off running to many events and feel much stronger concentrating on the events I do best,” Rivera said. “I’m not sure which race I will focus on the most next week, but I really feel like I can run a fast mile. In the 800, I feel like I can go 1:50.”

The Harvard-bound Fischer advanced to Masters in the 300 hurdles last year and was second in the Division 3 meet.

He’s hoping to take it a step further and is on the right track after a personal-best 37.79 to win the 300 hurdles.

“I feel much better with my steps,” Fischer said. “I’m very confident.”

Okwandu won the 100 in 12.40 and the 200 in 25.76.

Mejia won the 100 hurdles in 16.11 and 300 hurdles in 47.79.