FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS
1. What can be expected from Oaks Christian's state championship relay corps?
Considering the Lions are returning Terry Johnson, Vinnie Saucer and Ishmael Adams from last year's group that won the 4 x 100 state title, things look promising for Oaks Christian. There will be significant challenges from Serra, Rio Mesa, Long Beach Poly, Roosevelt, Notre Dame and Buchanan, but with Maurice Greene guiding the Lions' sprinters, Oaks Christian has an opportunity to become only the fifth program in state history to repeat as 4 x 100 relay champion.
2. Will Oak Park's Connor Stark clear 17 feet in the pole vault?
Judging by his 16-6 clearance at a recent dual meet, it appears the UCLA signee is well on his way to surpassing the barrier and challenging for a state title. Stark placed second at last year's state championship by clearing 15-10, with Davis' Ian Rock winning with an effort of 16-2, but Stark is motivated to become the area's first state pole vault champion since Verdugo Hills' Shane Hackett in 2000.
3. Which local athletes could step into the spotlight this season?
St. Francis' James Knowles hurdled in the shadows of Agoura standout Jonathan Cabral last season, but this year could be his opportunity to challenge for Southern Section, Masters and state championships. Although Saugus has produced the dominant throwers in the Santa Clarita Valley in recent seasons, look for West Ranch's Nick Bultman to lead the pack in the Foothill League this year. Also expect big things from Harvard-Westlake's Colburn Pittman and Garrett Robinson as the schedule unfolds.
4. What is the area's deepest league?
Mission. Considering that Notre Dame is the three-time Div. III champion and Loyola captured the past four Div. II titles, just winning the league crown is an achievement in itself. Harvard-Westlake, St. Francis and Alemany are much improved this season with Crespi's Amir Ali Patterson among the state's elite throwers, so expect plenty of postseason representation from the Mission League, likely highlighted from Notre Dame junior sprinter Khalfani Muhammad.
5. Who is the area's most underrated performer?
Sierra Canyon junior Xavier Menifield. The Trailblazers might not have a championship resume in track and field like they've built in football, but Menifield's appearance in the state long jump prelims last year led to him contributing to a Div. IV state football crown for Sierra Canyon in December. Menifield produced a season-best effort of 22 8 1/2 inches in the long jump at the Southern Section Masters meet, but is also capable of running the 100, 200 and contributing to the Trailblazers' 4 x 100 relay this season. Hart's Tim White is another of the area's most versatile athletes, also excelling in the jumps.
-- Erik Boal
TOP 10
1. Notre Dame
2. Harvard-Westlake
3. Canyon
4. Oaks Christian
5. Moorpark
6. Golden Valley
7. Thousand Oaks
8. Westlake
9. St. Francis
10. Hart
ATHLETES TO KEEP AN EYE ON
SENIORS TO WATCH
Scott Acton, Desert Christian, Sr.; Ishmael Adams, Oaks Christian; Brandon Andrade, Burroughs; Max Archuleta, Canyon; Bryan Avendano, Newbury Park; Esteban Aviles, Taft; Brandon Baxter, Sierra Canyon; Even Benson, Camarillo; Matt Bloch, Notre Dame; Nick Bultman, West Ranch; Lyndan Coleman, Canyon; Bryan Curtis, Desert Christian; Aaron de Toledo, Harvard-Westlake; Michael Duncan, Crescenta Valley; Aiden Elias, Notre Dame; Tyler Erickson, Camarillo; Chris Estrada, Knight; Jose Favela, Knight; Kenny Feyh, Moorpark; Anthony Fowler, Taft; Jeremy Gatewood, Saugus; Juan David Garcia, Golden Valley; Philip Grove, Paraclete; Roy Gonzalez, St. Genevieve; Collin Gordon, Royal; Bryan Guijarro, Knight; Malik Hayes, Quartz Hill; Josh Henderson, Notre Dame; Brandon Hughes, Moorpark; Malik Johnson, El Camino Real; James Knowles, St. Francis; Tommy Lopez, Thousand Oaks; Adam Lucero, Camarillo; Josef Lucien, Golden Valley; Kristian Martinez, Golden Valley; Eric McDaniel, Notre Dame; Leonard Merriweather, Highland; Frankie Moncada, Simi Valley; Anthony Monroy, Burroughs; Michael Montgomery, Moorpark; Austin O'Neil, Hart; Tony Pagano, Newbury Park; Brandon Palmer, West Ranch; Sam Peckham, Hart; Colburn Pittman, Harvard-Westlake; Nick Privitelli, Crespi; Nick Ray, Taft; Gabe Robinson, Hart; Saul Sanchez, Granada Hills; Brenden Stach, Canyon; Hunter Sharp, Highland; Connor Stark, Oak Park; Zach Thomas, Crespi; Randy Uzoma, Canoga Park; Tim White, Hart; Robert Wolfe, Canyon; Sam Worley, Thousand Oaks; Dominick Wright, Calabasas
JUNIORS TO WATCH
Kyle Ause, Notre Dame; Isaiah Bernard, Chaminade; Jabrian Blackwell, Crespi; Brandon Chin, Alemany; Michael Davis, Glendale; Nolan Del Valle, Golden Valley; Ben Gaylord, Harvard-Westlake; Joel Gonzalez, Camarillo; William Hardy, Antelope Valley; Terry Johnson, Oaks Christian; Sergio Maldonado, Moorpark; David Manahan, Harvard-Westlake; Xavier Menifield, Sierra Canyon; Pierce Miller, West Ranch; Michael Mrgudic, Granada Hills; Khalfani Muhammad, Notre Dame; Alex Otero, Notre Dame; Jordan Pitcher, Oaks Christian; Marcelo Rosales, Alemany; Vinnie Saucer, Oaks Christian; Luis Solano, Birmingham; Cyntrell Smith, Highland; Esteban Vega, Camarillo; Zachary Wims, Canyon; Drew Wolitarsky, Canyon; A.J. Yarnall, Saugus
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORES TO WATCH
Ryan Alexander, Birmingham, Fr.; Isaiah Amos, Burbank, Soph.; Luigi Colella, Westlake, Soph.; Koa Farmer, Notre Dame, Soph.; Mikey Giguere, Westlake, Soph.; Ryan Klachko, Royal, Soph.; Alex Mikrakis, Alemany, Soph.; Amir Ali Patterson, Crespi, Soph.; Dominic Pennucci, Canyon, Soph.; Garrett Robinson, Harvard-Westlake, Fr.; Ezra Soriano, El Camino Real, Soph.; Damon Thompson, Paraclete, Soph.; Zach Watkins, Oaks Christian, Soph.; Ben Weissenbach, Harvard-Westlake, Fr.
MEETS TO WATCH
Today: Maurice Greene Invitational at Oaks Christian
March 24: APU Distance Meet of Champions; Pasadena Games at PCC
March 28: Birmingham at Taft
March 29: Notre Dame at Loyola
March 31: Spartan Relays at Rio Mesa; Percy Knox Invitational at COC
April 6-7: Arcadia Invitational
April 7: Michelle Perry Invitational
April 12: Moorpark-Westlake at Thousand Oaks
April 14: Russell Cup at Carpinteria; L.A. County Championships at Warren
April 20-21: Mt. SAC Invitational
April 21:San Fernando Valley Invitational at Birmingham
April 26: Golden Valley at Canyon
April 27: Ventura County Championships at Moorpark High
May 3: Mission League finals at Valley College; Foothill League finals at COC
May 4: Marmonte League finals at Moorpark High
