by

Andrew Gomez. Photo by: Ismael Williams

  The San Manuel girls’ and boys’ track teams finished first and second, respectively, in their season-opening meet. The Miners hosted six teams, all of them competing in their first multi-meet of the year.

  “(We) looked good overall for their first outing of the season,” San Manuel head coach Maria Lopez said in an email. “The newbie tracksters competing shook off nerves and performed well.”

  The Miners girls’ team took first ahead of Santa Cruz and Globe, which tied for second.

  First place finishers for the girls included:  Ashidet Ochoa (400m and Pole Vault), Andrea Castaneda (3200m and Long Jump),  and Cita Sweeney (Shot Put and Discus).

Damen Eble.Photo by: Ismael Williams

  Other top placers included:  Leticia Vargas (3^rd – 200m), Eneida Quintero (2^nd – 800m and 2^nd – 1600m), Angelica Garcia, Andrea Castaneda, Eneida Quintero, and Leticia Vargas (2^nd – 4x100m), Andrea Castaneda (3^rd – 300m IH), Yesenia Arcienega, Eneida Quintero, Ashidet Ochoa, and Leticia Vargas (2^nd – 4x400m), Stephanie Morris (2^nd – Shot Put), Alicia Guerrero (2^nd – Pole Vault) and Jade Willard (2^nd – Triple Jump).

Yesenia Arciniega. Photo by: Ismael Williams

  The boys’ team finished second, just six points behind first-place Ray.

  First place finishers for the boys included:  Carlos Salas (110m HH and Pole Vault) and Andrew Gomez, Patrick Lopez, Daniel Zazueta, and Jose Damian (4x100m).

  Other top placers included:  Patrick Lopez (2^nd – 3200m and 2^nd – Pole Vault), Andrew Gomez, Hector Sierra, Jacob Medina, and Daniel Zazueta (2^nd – 4x400m), Mason Clark (2^nd – High Jump), and Jacob Medina (2^nd – Triple Jump).

  Next up for the Miners is the Willie Williams Classic at the University of Arizona.

Yesenia Arciniega. Photo by: Ismael Williams

Sean Strand and Colbey Stratton. Photo by: Ismael Williams

Andy Luberda (1149 Posts)

Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.

by

by