Trabuco Hills’ Lee, Santa Margarita’s Merritt leave their mark on CIF Track Finals

Santa Margarita’s Nikki Merritt wins the division 3 100 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Nikki Merritt, right, gets hug from a teammate after winning the 100 meter dash at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
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Santa Margarita wins the division 3 4×100 meter relay as Tessa Green runs the final leg during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Maliyah Medley, center, of El Toro keeps the lead to win the Division 1 400 meter dash at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Segerstrom’s Nyree Brown, left, wins the division 1 300 meter hurdles as Rossevelt’s Breanna Joseph Bernard finished third during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Blake Hennesay, center, wins the division 3 100 meter dash during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sean Lee of Trabuco Hills clears the bar in the high jump at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Mater Dei’s Sam VanDorpe wins the division 2 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Mariah Allain, left, of La Sierra and Santa Margarita’s Tessa Green, right, make it a close race in the Division 3 200 meter dash at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Segerstrom’s Nyree Brown, left, wins the division 1 300 meter hurdles as Rossevelt’s Breanna Joseph Bernard finished third during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Servite’s Nolan Blachowski competes in the division 3 pole vault during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Gwynn George wins the division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Nikki Merritt , third from left, wins the division 3 100 meter dash during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Tesoro’s Ruyan Bush wins the division 1 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Dominique Ruotolo competes in the division 2 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Nikki Merritt wins the division 3 300 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
After winning the Division 1 high jump, Sean Lee of Trabuco Hills attempts to best his highest jump at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Brea Olinda’s Sydney Skipper competes in the division 3 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita wins the division 3 4×100 meter relay as Tessa Green runs the final leg during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Palos Verdes’ Ian Irish wins the division 3 800 meter run as South Pasadena’s Kai Dettman finished third during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Athletes rect after the division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Sam VanDorpe wins the division 2 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Woodbridge’s Madison Lyon finished competes division 1 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Blake Hennesay wins the division 3 300 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Diamond Bar’s Marissa Vasquez wins the division 1 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Kelli Godin competes in the division 2 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Oaks Christian’s Hannah Wilson finished third in the division 4 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita’s Nikki Merritt, right, wins the division 3 100 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Asani Hampton, center, wins the division 1 100 meter dash during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Walnut’s Emma Arriaga competes in the division 1 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
La Mirada’s Christian Santiago competes in the division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Yucaipa’s Asani Hampton, center, wins the division 1 100 meter dash during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Santa Margarita wins the division 3 4×100 meter relay as Tessa Green runs the final leg during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Marymount’s Malina Yago wins the division 4 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Jade McDonald competes in the division 2 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Sierra Canyon’s Daniel Kamulali, center, wins the division 4 100 meter dash during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Mater Dei’s Kelli Godin competes in the division 2 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Upland’s Jada Hicks, right, wins the division 1 100 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Calabasas wins the division 1 4×100 meter relay during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
St. John Bosco wins the division 3 4×100 meter relay as Nathan Jones runs the final leg during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The division 2 1600 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
South Pasadena’s Gianna Beasley finished second in the division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Hanna Bevan of Trabuco Hills knocks the bar off as she attempts a jump in the Division 1 high jump at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Great Oak finished second in the division 1 1600 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Long Beach Jordan’s A’Lena Chaney competes in the division 1 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The division 3 1600 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Arcadia’s Stephanie Yen wins the division 1 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Long Beach Poly wins the division 1 4×100 meter relay as Ariyonna Augustine, right, runs the final leg during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Oaks Christian’s Talin Lewis wins the division 4 300 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Lauren Battle of Aliso Niguel attempt a jump in the Division 1 high jump at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Arcadia’s Stephanie Yen wins the division 1 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Nikki Merritt of Santa Margarita clears a hurdle in the 300 meter hurdles at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Merritt won the race. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Calabasas’ Kyla Hubbard-Robinson wins the division 2 300 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Calabasas’ Kyla Hubbard-Robinson wins the division 2 300 meter hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Brendan Cormie of Santa Margarita knocks the bar off during the Division 3 high jump competition at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita’s Trevor Williamson competes in the division 3 pole vault during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Muir’s Miicah Fulton finished second in the division 4 300 meter hurdles as St. Anthony’s Atkinson Asjan wins the race during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Muir’s Miicah Fulton finished second in the division 4 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Trinity’s Solomon Strader wins the division 4 200 meter dash as Maranatha’s Justin Fong finished fourth during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Tesoro’s Maddie Jocson competes in the division 2 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Long Beach Poly’s Ariyonna Augustine wins the division 1 200 meter dash during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
St. John Bosco’s Titus Toler competes in the division 3 long jump during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Athletes rect after the division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Palos Verdes’ Ian Irish wins the division 3 800 meter run as La Puente’s Miguel Ayala finished second during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Palos Verdes’ Ian Irish wins the division 3 800 meter run during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Palos Verdes’ Ian Irish wins the division 3 800 meter run as South Pasadena’s Kai Dettman finished third during the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Ryan Bush of Tesoro makes his move to take the lead in the 800 meter run at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Bush took first place in the race. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Kevin Schmitt of Los Alamitos clears the bar in the Division 1 high jump at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Aiden Garnett of Edison competes in the Division 1 high jump at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
Santa Margarita’s Mallory Barnes jumps off the blocks to start the first leg of the 4 x 100 relay at the CIF-SS Track and Field Divisional Finals in Torrance on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Santa Margarita won the Division 3 race. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

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TORRANCE – Trabuco Hills high jumper Sean Lee has been focused on one record at a time.

At the CIF Southern Section Track and Field Finals at El Camino College on Saturday, Lee cleared 7 feet, 2-1/2 inches to set a Division 1 record and finish 6 inches higher than second-place finisher Kevin Schmidt of Los Alamitos.

Lee, who will compete at UCLA next year, cleared 7-3 in February to establish the highest mark in the state this season.

His next goal is to top the CIF State Finals record of 7-3 1/4 in Clovis on the weekend of June 1-2, and if successful, he will shoot for the all-time state record of 7-4 3/4.

Lee was unsuccessful in three tries at 7-4 3/4 on Saturday

“I got one of the goals I came here trying to get, which was the Southern Section D-1 record,” Lee said. “I knew I had to clear that if I wanted to get to the state record anyway, and I finally got to attempt the state record for the first time.

“So now I’m used to it so I know how it feels and the corrections I need to make, and if I can correct those I feel like I can clear it.”

Lee was among several county athletes who turned in standout performances at the meet, which is a precursor to next Saturday’s Masters Meet.

Bringing home CIF-SS team titles were the Mater Dei girls in Division 2 and Santa Margarita girls in Division 3, while runner-up finishes went to the Mission Viejo boys in Division 2 and the Santa Margarita boys in Division 3.

The boys 1,600 meter relay from Aliso Niguel finished first in Division 1 in 3:14.71, the fastest time in the state this season. The Wolverines edged a powerhouse quartet from Long Beach Wilson.

The Wolverines foursome of Isaiah Darden, Andrew Koesel, Trevor Williams and Michael Phillippy were running third early on and were in second when Williams passed the baton to Phillippy, who found an extra gear on his way to the finish line.

“It felt exhilarating coming down that last stretch and I think the other guys can say the same,” Phillippy said. “We always just try to go out and run our hearts out instead of shooting for a time.”

The same Aliso Niguel quartet finished third in last season’s Masters Meet.

Also in the boys meet, Esperanza’s Jeff Duensing was the top overall qualifier in the shot put with a throw of 61-2 1/2 and the discuss, hitting a distance of 182-7.

On the girls side, Santa Margarita’s Nikki Merritt took first in Division 3 in the 100, the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and was part of the Eagles’ winning 400 relay team, which included Mallory Barnes, Mia Roth and Tessa Green.

Merritt, who is headed to Duke, qualified for the Masters Meet in four events for the second year in a row and helped the Eagles win the Division 3 title.

“It’s really cool looking back on the season and seeing what I’ve accomplished so far and what the whole team has accomplished so far,” Merritt said. “I didn’t run my absolute best time in any of my events, but I’m definitely happy with how I competed today.”

El Toro’s Maliyah Medley also qualified in multiple events. Medley won the Division 1 400 for the second year in a row and took second in the 200.

“I’m super-proud of myself with taking first overall (in the 400),” Medley said. “In the 200, I’m also proud of myself because I got fourth last year and I improved and got second.”

Los Alamitos’ Faimalie Sale won the Division 1 shot put competition with a throw of 43–81/4 and Costa Mesa’s Tayla Crenshaw took first in Division 3 in the discus (133-3) and second in the shot put (38-6).

The top nine performances from the 100, 200, 400, the two hurdles races and the relays, regardless of division, advance to the Masters Meet at El Camino College. The top 12 advance from the 800, 1,600, 3,200 and all field events.

Trabuco Hills’ Lee, Santa Margarita’s Merritt leave their mark on CIF Track Finals

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