Las Lomas Track and Field Wins Big at NCS

courtesy of Nico Bland

Nico Bland running the 400 meters at NCS.

Last week, Las Lomas track and field participated in the North Coast Section competitions; the meet was at UC Berkeley. At the meet, there were over 50 schools. Coach Dax Harris and eight Las Lomas students attended: Nico Bland, Julia Wang, Andrew Graham, Henry Kiragu, Cory Pappas, Taylor Weidinger, Tim Weidinger, and Parker Wilkerson.

Nerves were a big part of the pregame preparation.

"The atmosphere was really tense," said senior Henry Kiragu. "Everyone is really nervous because these are the best athletes in Northern California you're up against."

However, Coach Harris was confident about his athletes abilities.

"Before the events I was nervous but not in a bad way. I knew that our kids were good enough to win the events that they were in," said Harris. "My nerves was more about waiting for the kids to run and not about watching them compete."

Taylor Weidinger was qualified for the 200 and 400 meter run but unfortunately didn't make it to state.

However, fellow 400 runner Nico Bland won the boys 400 in 48:12.

Bland, who was top seeded, felt the pressure before he started his events, "You just have that feeling that if win you move on or if you lose your season is over. Almost everyone before the race is nervous and all you really think about is getting out fast and of course beating everyone," he said.

Julia Wang won the pole vault at a height of 12'6".

Wang was shocked about her NCS win, "I wasn't jumping very well that day and there was a girl seeded above me but either way I was ecstatic when I realized I won," said Wang.

Wang is excited to head back to state. She's more prepared and ready to take on her competitors.

The 4x100 team was made up of Tim Weidinger, Cory Pappas, Andrew Graham, and Henry Kiragu.

Even though they tried their best, unfortunately the second exchange between Pappas and Graham resulted in them dropping the baton.

"It was pretty heartbreaking cause we were in the lead and I have no doubt we could've gotten top three which is qualification for state," said Kiragu.