Ventura County Star
By Derry Eads (Contact)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Allie Lopez and Lydia French are making up for lost seasons.

Injuries cut short the two Thousand Oaks High athletes’ 2008 track and field campaigns.

Healthy once again, not only have Lopez and French helped the Lancers to clinch at least a share of the Marmonte League girls’ title (Thousand Oaks can win its third championship in five years by beating Newbury Park on Thursday), they figure to contend for individual titles at the league championships on May 8.

Lopez ranks among Ventura County leaders in the girls’ 800- and 1,600-meter runs.

“We have had problems with our distance running over the past couple of years,” said Thousand Oaks coach Steve Kloch. “Allie has come on this year with solid races.”

French shattered the school record in the high jump by clearing 5 feet, 8 inches, which ranks among the state leaders.

“It was a real shocker to see her jump that high,” said Kloch. “It was such a big jump so early in the season.”

What has put Thousand Oaks at the top of the Marmonte League standings and The Star’s rankings is its overall depth.

The Lancers have three of the county’s top five triple jumpers and pole vaulters.

Meredith Bell ranks third in the triple jump with a best of 35-7. Not bad for a newcomer to the event.

“She’s a soccer player that came out for track for the first time last year,” said Kloch. “Meredith did a few events as a freshman. We worked her into the triple jump this year and its been a good move for her.”

Shara Longbotham, Sam Rivera, Katie Chuh and Bailey Schentrup are among other Thousand Oaks athletes ranked high on county season lists.

For the fourth straight year, the Thousand Oaks boys’ team figures to be the league runner-up.

Moorpark can wrap up the championship Thursday at home against Royal and Agoura.

The Lancers placed second to Royal in 2006 and 2008 and to Westlake in 2007.

“We seem to be the Steady Eddie of the group,” said Kloch.

Grand champion: Oak Park won the grand sweepstakes award Saturday at the 90th Russell Cup in Carpinteria.

Oak Park had 299 points in the combined boys’ and girls’ divisions. The Eagles were first in the boys’ sweepstakes and second in the girls’ division.

St. Joseph/Santa Maria was second overall with 274.

On your marks: Thomas Garner of Royal was a double winner at the Mount San Antonio College relays. Not only did Garner win the boys’ invitational 110 hurdles, he captured the seeded 300 hurdles in 39.06. ... Rio Mesa’s Sariana Hedgepeth won the open girls’ 100 at Mount SAC with a time of 12.10. ... La Reina’s Rachel Brajkovich ranks fifth in the state among freshmen girls’ in the 3,200. ... Alex Morgan of Ventura is the state’s third-ranked sophomore girls’ discus thrower. ... Connor Stark of Oak Park is the state’s best freshman boys’ pole vaulter (13-6). ... Camarillo’s Heyden Wooff is third in the state among sophomore boys’ 3,200 runners with a county-best 9:14.45.

FULL STORY