Piedmont High School’s track and field team put up more strong marks at the Sacramento Meet of Champions on April 20 at American River College.
Freshman Sebastien Swain continued to drop his personal best in the 800 meters, coming in seventh in his heat in the Open Division in one minute, 58.07 seconds.
“Seb’s a beast, but in the most calm and thoughtful way possible,” Highlanders coach Pouyan Assadi said. “When you watch him compete it’s like he’s done this many times. And when you talk to him, it’s clear he’s always thinking about how to get better. I want to set my expectations right since he’s a freshman, but at the same time he’s holding his own against seasoned vets week after week.”
Also lowering her personal best was Breah Bell, who finished sixth in her Open Division heat of the 100 in 12.72. Assadi said Bell has lowered her PR in four consecutive weeks and is just .05 away from the school record. Bell also long jumped 16 feet, 7 ¼ inches and finished fourth.
“Breah keeps inching down towards the school record and if she sticks with the fundamentals and doesn’t push herself too hard and tense up, she’s going to continue making her way,” Assadi said. “I’m excited to see how far her season extends and see what her final personal-best is.”
Ella Yasar took third place in her heat of the Open 300 hurdles in a PR of 48.30.
Julien Lee also put up a PR, finishing 11th in the Open 3,200 in 9:40.94. Xander Schulte-Sasse competed in the Invitational 3,200 (top level) and finished 13th in 9:21.86.
Jamie Schwarz had a season-best 2:24.03 in the Open 800, taking eighth in her heat.
At a West Alameda County Conference four-way meet on April 18 at Castro Valley, the girls 400 relay team recorded a time of 50.73, which is a season-best and approaching the school-record of 50.00, according to Assadi.
Skylar Best set a PR in the girls 1,600 at the Viking Track Classic on April 20 at Montgomery-Santa Rosa. She finished 18th in the race in 5:33.59.
Piedmont’s regular season is complete. The Highlanders next compete at the WACC Championships at Castro Valley beginning May 1.