Track and field sees stars shine
Piedmont High School’s track teams have seen a lot of success at local invitationals lately. The Dublin Distance Fiesta was held on March 21-22 at Dublin High School. Annually, this is one of the bigger meets in Northern California, even though it is limited to distance events.
Sophomore Sebastien Swain finished ninth in the top heat of 800 in 1:57.96, 18th overall. Lucas Alberts of Jesuit-Carmichael won in 1:53.08 over fellow sophomore Hugh Heyer of McClatchy-Sacramento (1:53.87); 15th in Section 53 (second from top) of 1,600 in 4:23.96, 31st overall.
Leighton Mand 21st in section 27 of 1,600 (third fastest heat) 5:22.59, 85th overall; 2:28.42 for second in section 31 of 800 (out of 37) 76th overall.
At the Swenson/Werne Invitational at San Ramon Valley the same day, Piedmont got more strong marks for their non-distance running corps. Miguel Long won the triple jump with a personal-best of 44 feet, 4 ¼ inches. Long exceeded the qualifying standard for the Arcadia Invitational with the leap. He also took fourth in the long jump at 20-10 ¼.
The boys 400 relay team of Rehan Mumtaz, Sam Shelby, Maddox Ma and Eric Venner inched closer to the school record in the event, running 43.18 and finishing second on the day. The 1970 team finished fourth in the 440-yard relay at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions in 43.2. That hand time converts to 43.09 electronic in meters.
“Rehan burst out, Sam was moving, Maddox battled, and Eric fought off elite competition to take second,” Piedmont coach Pouyan Assadi said. “We’re cooking and it’s only mid-season.”
Shelby was second overall in the 100 in 11.12 and fifth in the 400 in 50.54.
The 1,600 relay team of Venner, Ma, Long and Shelby was second in 3:31.13.
Miguel Long competing at the San Leandro Invitational on March 15. (Photo credit: Aaron Aubrecht) 
Sebastien Swain running in the 800 at the Dublin Distance Fiesta on March 22. (Photo credit: Becky Spies) 
Saniyah Johnson competes in the discus at the San Leandro Invitational on March 15. (Photo credit: Aaron Aubrecht)
Piedmont’s girls 1,600 relay team of Nia Kim, Claire Aubrecht, Daniela Lucaccini and Ella Yasar won the day in 4:14.53. The 400 relay team of Kim, Yasar, Skye Prata-Baack and Aubrecht won its heat in 51.21, a season-best. That was sixth-best on the day. Malia Williams tied for sixth in the high jump at 4-8. Shayna Chau tied for ninth in the pole vault at 8-0. Saniyah Johnson was sixth in the shot put at 31-0. Alina Shahid was fifth in the discus at 94-6.
Meg Foster was tied for 14th in the boys pole vault at 11-0.
At the San Leandro Invitational on March 15, Piedmont had several more strong performances. Johnson was second in the girls shot put at 30-0 ½. Mand was third in both the 800 (2:30.35) and 1,600 (5:19.38). Kim was third in the 100 hurdles in 17.29, which Assadi said is one second away from the school record.
On the boys side, Venner, Ma, Swain and Shelby won the 1,600 relay in 3:32.31 and finished second in the sprint medley relay in 3:40.42. That was also a qualifying time for the Arcadia Invitational.
Long won the long jump at 20-11 ½ and took second in the triple jump at 41-8 ½.
The record board at Witter Field back in the 70s and 80s (on the old green building) listed a time of 42.4 for 440yds for the 1970 relay team