Jesuit, Vacaville Elk Grove runners shine at CIF Masters Track championships
Lucas Alberts used to despise running.
The Jesuit High School junior was a baseball and basketball enthusiast growing up, then he took on races long and short. As a freshman, he joined the cross country team at Jesuit, where the record boards for the storied program in Carmichael offer a glimpse of a who’s who of all-time Marauders greats, some of whom remain all-time regional greats.
Alberts is now a two-time CIF Masters 800-meter champion, having defended his title in the grueling two-lap race on Saturday night at Prairie City Stadium in Folsom. Alberts charged down the backstretch and held off a rival and a friend in fellow junior Hugh Heyer of McClatchy to win in 1 minute, 50.10 seconds. Heyer was second in 1:50.24.
The two embraced like true champions and sportsmen after the race and on the victory stand, both appreciating how difficult it is to medal in postseason events.
Alberts and a host of superb middle- and long-distance-running teammates and regional rivals head to the 106th CIF State Track & Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the trials on Friday and the finals on Saturday in Clovis , in Fresno County. Jesuit has a shot at winning a CIF State team title with the depth of runners expecting to pile up points and crowd the victory stand.
Alberts won his 800 race, lost his lunch and gained deeper admiration for his craft and competition.
“I just threw up after the 800, and I think it’s the hardest race in track, but it’s the most rewarding, and it’s worth it,” a beaming Alberts said after his race. “I’ve had the most fun. I’m glad I started running, especially at Jesuit, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, the best decision of my life.”
Alberts ran a lifetime-best 1:49.98 in the 800 on April 18 at the 66th Mt. SAC Relays in Los Angeles County, which remains second best in the state this season. The state leader is Josiah Bowman of Sage Creek of San Diego County , who ran 1:49.54. Heyer of McClatchy has the third-best 800 time in the state at 1:50.24, set in his spirited Masters effort.
More perspective: Alberts’ best of 1:49.98 ranks second in regional history — and second best ever at Jesuit behind an all-timer in Michael Stember, who clocked a 1:49.29 in 1996 and later competed in the Olympics and Pan American Games.
Jesuit’s depth is so impressive that three Marauders qualified for the state meet in the 1600, a race won by Vacaville’s Cooper Stream in 4 minutes, 8.54 seconds with Peter Kendall of Twelve Bridges of Placer County taking second at 4:08.97. For Jesuit, Drake Hoferer was third in 4:09.66, Kyle Jakary was fourth in 4:09.95 and Connor Bilodeau was sixth in 4:10.52.
The top three finishers in Masters meets advance to the CIF state finals unless athletes achieve the qualifying mark, as Jakary and Bilodeau of Jesuit did.
“What a storied program,” said Bill Carr, one of the Masters track officials and a decades-long prep coach in the Sacramento region.
In the eight-lap 3200 meters, Matthew Ogilvie of Jesuit was second to Stream in 9:01.75 with Isaac Abbott of Jesuit taking sixth in 9:10.79.
Vacaville’s Air Stream
Jesuit might have really run away with the Masters team title if not for the inspired efforts of Stream, Vacaville’s superb junior distance ace. Doubling in the 1600 and 3200 requires equal parts talent, grit and determination.
Stream said he revels in this sort of moment, just as older brother Jackson Stream did last season in winning the Masters 1600. Stream said he continues to mature as a runner in style and approach.
“It was just going out there and competing to my best ability, and that’s where it’s fun,” Stream said. “It’s not so much the times — the times are confirming — but it’s knowing I gave my best, because that was something I used to struggle with.”
Now comes the real challenge: Medaling at the state meet. Like any athlete, Stream aims to win.
“My confidence is there,” he said. “No one can tell me I’m not good enough.”
Elk Grove’s Lugo doubles in sprints
Elk Grove senior Cy Lugo continued his remarkable season, winning the 100 in 10.41 seconds while battling a headwind and holding off friend and rival Deshawn Seymour Jr. of Wood of Vacaville, who was second in 10.50.
Lugo blazed to an easy victory in the 200 in 20.80 after a sizzling effort in the Masters qualifying meet the previous week in 20.67, the second-fastest wind-legal time in the state. Seymour was third in the Masters 200 in 21.57.
“I felt great, and I’m excited about state,” Lugo said.
Girls Masters highlights
Naija Sizemore of Vanden repeated as champion in the 100 and 200, taking the 100 in 11.78 seconds and the longer race in 23.85.
Margo Zemke of Sheldon won the high jump at 5 feet, 6 inches and the 100 hurdles in 14.53.
Sidney Johnson of Rio Americano won the shot put at 42 feet, 11.5 inches and the discus at 155-11.
Kaylee Smith of Whitney won the 800 in 2:11.92.
Freshman Alyssa Gutierrez of St. Francis overwhelmed the field in the 3200, winning in 10:18.86.
Sophia Forst of Pleasant Grove in Elk Grove won the pole vault at 12 feet, 8 inches.
Norah Feldt of Davis won the 1600 in 4:50.59.
Leal Brown of Christian Brothers won the 400 in 54.37 with Madeline Zimmerman of McClatchy third in 55.34.
Christian Brothers won the 4x100 relay in 46.33 seconds behind Katherine Koch, Lael Brown, Malia Van Den Bogert and Nicolette Kufasimes. The Falcons capped the meet by winning the 4x400 relay in 3:49.96.
Boys Masters highlights
Naryan Banerjee won the high jump at 6-8 with Jaeden Goodman of Inderkum also clearing 6-8 but placing second on more attempts.
Hudson Smith of Whitney won the triple jump at 47 feet, 1.75 inches with Garner Maurice IV of Franklin second at 45-08.75. Smith was third in the long jump at 22 feet.
Emil Baker of Del Campo won the shot put at 54-04 with Collin McClain of Roseville third at 51-4.25.
Gered Linder of Rocklin won the discus with a best toss of 162 feet, 6 inches.
Josiah Amey of Inderkum won the 110 hurdles in 14.20.
Antelope won the 4x100 relay in 41.30 with Inderkum second at 41.37 and Elk Grove with Lugo as the anchor placing third at 41.53.