Walnut’s Kayla Richardson dominates Hacienda League track finals in muscle events with blitzing times in the 100 and 200 meters

PHOTOS FROM THE HACIENDA LEAGUE TRACK AND FIELD FINALS
RICHARDSON
HACIENDA LEAGUE FINALS: Walnut’s boys and girls track teams dominated the dual meet season by going undefeated in the Hacienda League and continued its dominance at the Hacienda League finals at Walnut Thursday.
Walnut sophomore Kayla Richardson is a big reason why, and she figures to contend for medals in the following weeks during the CIF-Southern Section Divisional finals followed by Masters and State.
Richardson set a personal best in the 100 and 200-meters, winning the 100 in 11.89, which is the sixth-fastest mark in the state this season.
Richardson easily won the 200-meter title in 24.19, which is the third fastest time in the state.
Richardson gathered four first-place medals as also part of Walnut’s winning 400 and 1,600-meter relay teams. The Mustangs set a meet record in the 1,600 relay in 4:03.14.
Safe to say, she’s just warming up.
“Compared to last year my times aren’t as good,” Richardson said. “But there’s a plan to peak at the right time so I’m pretty satisfied with where I am right now and I’m glad that I’m healthy.”
The Walnut girls compete in Division 1 along with nationally-ranked Long Beach Poly, but if it were in any other division, the Mustangs would likely have a shot a team title. As it is, Walnut could be a top three finisher in Division 1.

SIERRA LEAGUE FINALS: Thaddeus Smith of Damien was just itching to get his chance at a Sierra League track championship after hip-flexor issues sidelined him for the previous two years.
He made up for lost time.
Smith, a junior, won both the 100 (10.92) and 200 meters (22.11) in the league finals Thursday, headlining a long list of solid performances.


Facebook Twitter Plusone Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Tumblr Email