Sequoias Relays This Saturday
The COS track and field team will be competing in Visalia for the first time in six years. COS will host the "Sequoia Relays" at the Giant Chevrolet Mineral King Bowl on Saturday March 19th. The meet is scheduled to go from 10am to 5pm. "We have a talented men's and women's track and field team" said COS head coach Curtis Allen. "We have a handful of high level competition coming to Visalia to run."
COS will host teams such as last year's state third place finisher Diablo Valley College from the bay area, Long Beach City College, Cerritos College, Fresno City, Hartnell, Modesto, and a host of others. "The meet should be a fast one. Many of the teams are starting to peak and there will be good competition" said. Allen.
COS boasts the returning state champion in the 100m and 200m in sprinter Drelan Bramwell who will go up against stiff competition including Modesto's Donovan Wallace who has already posted a 10.7 in the 100m and has already beaten Bramwell in the 200m just a few weeks ago. Bramwell and Wallace may receive their stiffest competition from COS teammate Holland Cabara who was the favorite to win the 100m and 200m last year before sustaining an injury in the NorCal Championships the week before the state finals.
COS also boasts the 4x400m team that won the state last year with a season best of 3:07.1. Diablo Valley College and Modesto College both have times that challenge the Giants.
On the women's side, COS have a talented roster that coach Curtis Allen believes can compete for a state title this year. "We have enough talent and we have enough numbers to score enough points to win this year. We just need to get better and bring it together as a group" said Coach Allen.
COS has the state runner up in the 100 hurdles last year in DeShaundra Morrison who is now competing in multiple events for the Giants. "She has come a long way, but still has room for improvement" said Allen. Morrison is the favorite to win this year in the 100 hurdles and the women's long jump. Morrison just competed for the first time ever last weekend in the long jump and posted a mark of 18.3 but has jumped near 20 feet during practice this week since she has started to learn more technique.
One to watch for the women's 400m is freshmen sensation Melanie Rodney. Rodney has posted the best time in the 400m this year with a 55.01 which is one second faster than the second best time posted.
The women's 800m should be exciting as well as sophomore Exeter grad Annette Acosta leads the charge for the Giants after spending last season at Sacramento State. "Annette is one of the top middle distant runners in the state and we are happy she came home to run for us before we find her a new home for next year" said Allen.
At the meet there will be other activities for the community to participate in which includes the "return of the Giants" where former COS track and field athletes will be announced as well as an opportunity for youth runners eighth grade and under to have the opportunity to be timed on the track during an intermission at the meet where check in for that event will be at 12noon. For more information call the COS athletic office at 559.730.3911
