As the athletes conclude the track and field regular season, one highlighted by new athletes, new coaches, and new school records, Foothill Technology High School (Foothill Tech) crossed the finish line at the Tri-Valley League Finals meet on May 1. This allowed the Dragons to move on to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) postseason.
For the sprinting events, Christian Bondy ‘26 and Lyla Huff ‘27 will represent the Dragons in the CIF postseason thanks to their qualifying performances. Bondy qualified for two events as he claimed third in the 100-meter event (11.11) and second in the 200-meter event (22.37). Huff qualified for the 400-meter event as she clinched a league title (62.06).
It was a strong day of performances for the distance events as seven different individuals ran qualifying times for the CIF postseason for Foothill Tech. This day of large successes also included two athletes who claimed both league titles in the 1600-meter events and 3200-meter events for the Dragons.
For the boys’ team, Viggo Bortolin ‘27 was named league champion in both the 1600-meter event (4:26.10) and the 3200-meter event as a pacer for his teammates. Asher Field ‘28 qualified for the same events as he ran 4:37.28 and 10:24.23, respectively. Quentin Harris ‘28 claimed third in the 3200-meter event (10:33.39). In the 800-meter event, Andres Hernandez ‘26 claimed second (2:00.92) and Gavin Leedy ‘26 claimed third (2:02.28).
For the girls’ team, Keera Wallace ‘26 earned titles in both the 1600-meter event and 3200-meter event, as she ran 5:15.06 and 12:33.02, respectively.
“I’m very excited that I qualified for CIF in both of my events. It being my senior year, I am just grateful for every opportunity to race and I have to take advantage of that,” Wallace said.
Auden McCoy ‘27 followed behind Wallace in the 3200-meter event as she also ran a qualifying time of 12:58.71.
In the hurdling events, three different individuals qualified for the CIF postseason. The two boys, Asher Bayless ‘26 and Oliver Anthony ‘28, qualified in the 110-meter hurdles event. Bayless claimed league champion (16.25) while Anthony placed third (18.27). Bayless also qualified and won the league championship in the 300-meter hurdles event with a time of 44.71. Bennett Rodman ‘26 represented the girls as she qualified in the 100-meter hurdles event with a time of 18.14.
“It means a lot to me to be league champ. I had a couple really good teammates last year, good friends of mine, they won the 110 hurdles as well as the 300 hurdles, so it feels good to follow their footsteps and take both spots for CIF,” Bayless said.
Foothill Tech’s field events were strongly represented as six different individuals qualified in pole vault and high jump. All six dragons qualified in pole vault with Oliver Anthony ‘28 (9-00.00), Roman Anthony ‘29 (9-00.00) and Stephen Blazejewski (8-06.00) representing the boys’ team.
For the girls’ team, Rodman (8-00.00), Lauren Kallik ‘26 (7-06.00) and Evelyn Whatley ‘28 (7-00.00) all qualified for pole vault. Rodman and Kallik also qualified for the high jump as they jumped 5-00,00 and 4-08.00, respectively. Rodman ended her day taking home both league titles in pole vault and high jump.
Finally, in the throwing events, two Dragons qualified for the discus and shot put events. Elijah Spencer ‘26 represented the boys’ team as he took home both league championships in the shot put and discus events with throws of 45-05.50 and 126-11, respectively. Amelia Gerk ‘26 represented the girls’ team with a league championship in discus as she threw 94-08.
“This is definitely something I’ve been looking forward to since I was a freshman. It’s always a super big part of the season to compete at league finals and I’m super excited to be discus league champ. Overall, I had a great time, very excited for CIF Prelims,” Gerk said.
Foothill Tech’s track and field season will continue in the CIF Prelims Meet on May 9, where the Dragons will attempt to qualify for the next round, the CIF Finals Meet.
