Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Saratoga sophomore Todd Anderson topped the high-jump bar at 5-10 in three different meets to finish first against Gunn, finish second against Palo Alto and tie for second at the West Valley Relays.

Falcons fly to victory

Saratoga boys soar to win over Vikes

By Dick Sparrer

Todd Anderson has his sights set high this season. And why wouldn't he? After all, Anderson is a high jumper for the Saratoga boys' track team, and he's been flying high enough already this year to help the Falcons get off to a strong start in the 1998 season.

Anderson finished first in his specialty in a team loss to Gunn, then came back last week with a second in the high jump to help the Falcons to a team win over Palo Alto.

In between, he dropped down to the frosh-soph level to tie for second at the West Valley Relays at West Valley Community College.

The sophomore seems to be zeroed in on the 5-foot-10 mark, and that's been high enough for success in recent competition.

Anderson topped the bar at 5-10 to tie for second and lead a solid Saratoga frosh-soph showing at West Valley.

Eric Giannella came through with a third in the shot put at 42-712 at the relays. Ian Jang added a fourth in the long jump at 19-8 and a sixth in the triple jump at 37-812.

In boys' varsity action the same day, Alex Daniels was out of the medals, but finished seventh in the 800 meters in 2:01.87, and Drew Copeland was 14th in the rugged 2,000-meter steeplechase in 7:19.4.

In girls' competition, Laura Prolo was seventh in the 400-meter low hurdles in 72.69, Taylor Teerlink was ninth in the 100-meter hurdles in 17.4 and Karin Bencala was 11th in the shot put at 31-7.

Saratoga came right back a few days later to beat Palo Alto in boys' varsity action, despite losing in the three other divisions. Jang, Alex Shoor and Chad Allen were each double winners for the Falcons in a 75-52 win over Palo.

Jang led a Saratoga sweep in the triple jump. He soared to a first at 38-714 with Jesse Alejandro second and Josh Glasser third. Jang was also first in the long jump at 19-814.

Shoor breezed to a win in the 1,600 meters in 4:47.9, with Brett Pahler second, and he came back with a win in the 3,200 meters in 10:42.6, with Drew Copeland third.

Allen sprinted to a first in the 200 meters in 23.52 and cruised to a victory in the 400 in 51.52, with Tim Hoare third.

Daniels took first place in the 800 meters in 2:00.31, with David Wilson third. Daniels also teamed with Jeff Beyers, Luke Anderson and Hoare for a first in the 1,600-meter relay in 3:40.34.

Matt McKenna came through with a big win in the shot put, heaving the steel ball 38-11. He was also second in the discus with a toss of 112-3.

Anderson soared to a second in the high jump at 5-10, and Jeff Verson was second in the 300 intermediate hurdles and the 110 high hurdles. Giannella was second in the shot put at 38-012, and Brent Colman was second in the 100 in 11.6. Steve Chuang supported with thirds in the hurdle events.

The girls didn't fare quite as well, losing 74-53 to Paly in varsity action.

Teerlink and Jenn Chan were each twin winners, but it wasn't enough to lead the Falcons to a team win.

Teerlink led a Saratoga sweep in the 100-meter hurdles. The speedy sophomore covered the hurdles in 16.77 to finish first, with Laura Birenbaum second and Prolo third. Teerlink also won the 300 low hurdles in 49.27, with Prolo third.

Chan flew to a win in the long jump at 14-512, with Birenbaum third, and she also took the triple jump at 30-5.

Anne Ricketts cruised to a first in the 800 meters in 2:29.7, and Prolo was a winner in the high jump at 4-4 .

Carla Graziosi nailed a second in the 1,600 meters at 5:42.79, with Jody Kellogg third, Bencala was second in the shot put at 29-1, with Heather Finnecy third, and Finnecy was third in the discus at 94-8.

Stephanie Szeto took third place in the 400 meters, and Kellogg added a third in the 3,200.

The Falcons lost 74-53 in the boys' frosh-soph division to Palo Alto and fell 80-42 in girls' junior varsity action.

A week earlier, Anderson soared to a win in the high jump, Allen took the 400 and Daniels was first in the 1,600, but the Saratoga boys dropped an 87-40 varsity nod to Gunn.

Anderson topped the high jump bar at 5-10 for a victory in the field, and Allen covered the 400 meters in 51.5, and Daniels breezed over the 1,600 meters in 4:39 for the wins on the track.

Teerlink took the 110 hurdles in 16.66 and won the 300 hurdles in 50.0, but the Saratoga girls lost to Gunn 80-46.

Ricketts was a winner in the 800 meters at 2:32.4, and Chan was first in the long jump at 15-3.

In girls' JV competition, Saratoga lost 96-29 to the Titans, and the boys' frosh-soph team fell 85-42.

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