The top track and field athletes in the Rio Hondo League will compete in league finals this afternoon at South Pasadena High School.
The Tigers are the defending league champions and enter the day heavy favorites to repeat. Gianna Beasley and Oliver Chang are expected to turn in record performances in the 800 m, and 1600 m and 3200 m, respectively.
“I’m looking to set my personal record and hopefully break the school record (2:12) as well,” Beasley said during the preliminary competition Tuesday afternoon. Beasley, only a sophomore, clocked a 2:14 earlier this season during the Mt. Sac Invitational.
Chang will look to break his personal record of 4:27 in the 1600 m and 9:24 in the 3200 m.
Sophomore Sophie Garcia, who will be competing alongside teammate Molly Round in the girls high jump, said she is motivated first and foremost by a desire not to fail. “Just the fact that we haven’t lost in so long makes me really not want to break the streak,” she said, “that’s what’s really pushing me.”
Some of the highlight performances include the Tigers’ Cate Latting and Josh Ng in the 100 m hurdles, Ng and Ashley Hugasian in the 300 m hurdles, Ella Leeson and Jaylen Park in the long jump, Ben Martinez in shotput, Tianhao Wei in the triple jump and 100 m dash, Christina Taylor in the 200 m dash, and Terrel Mansano in the 400 m.
Leading the Tigers is head coach C.B. Richards.
