There’s a new champ in town: Mesa View

Not since the 1992 Ocean View School District Middle School 7/8 Track

and Field final has a school other than Marine View won the district’s

overall title.

Until now, that is.

It took 10 years for Marine View to get bumped off its pedestal, as

Mesa View edged the Mariners to claim the overall crown in an annual meet

held at Huntington Beach High School.

The schools each won two divisions, with Mesa View winning the

seventh-grade girls’ and boys’ divisions, and Marine View claiming both

eighth-grade divisions. But Mesa View had a higher overall point total

than the Mariners, which gave the Eagles the district banner.

Below is a breakdown of each division:

EIGHTH-GRADE BOYS

One district record was broken when Spring View’s Mitchell Gillespie

set a new eighth-grade high-jump record at 5 feet, 10 inches. Gillespie

also won the 400-meter, was second in the 100-meter and anchored the

Spartans’ sprint medley team, which won the event after Gillespie

finished with a tremendous kick to overcome then-leader Gabe Ornelas. The

Spartans had another winner in Daniel McElroy, who won the 800-meter in

2:24.39.

Marine View athletes placed first in three events. Jack Juprasert won

the long jump at 15-5 1/2, Dallas Walters took the triple jump at 33-2

1/2, and the Mariners’ 4-by-100 relay team won the race in 51.80.

The division was the most competitive of the four, with only 3 1/2

points separating the top three teams. Marine View won the grade division

for the ninth time in 10 years.

EIGHTH-GRADE GIRLS

Like their male counterparts, Marine View’s girls’ eighth-grade team

won its ninth title in 10 years. The Mariners had three first-place

finishers, and Ashley Ratelle had a hand in all three. She won the

400-meter in 1:09.07, tied Vista View’s Sophia Sune for the triple jump

title at 4-6, and ran the anchor leg on the 4-by-100 relay team, coming

from behind to lead Marine View to the win.

Lauren Walker was a double winner for Mesa View. She took the long

jump at 13-7 1/2 and the triple jump at 29-3. Mesa View also won the

spring medley. Vista View’s Crystal Reed won the 800-meter in 2:41.19,

and Spring View’s Melissa Rivera won the 100-meter in 13.34.

SEVENTH-GRADE BOYS

Mesa View won the division for the first time in more than 10 years.

The Eagles dominated, winning six events. Theodore Hennes and Jonathon

Gibo were double winners. Hennes won the 400-meter in 1:03.45 and the

100-meter in 12.92, and Gibo won the triple jump at 31-10 1/2, and the

high jump at 5-0. Ryan Shillito won the 800-meter in 2:37.09, and the

4-by-100 relay team won in 55.11.

Marine View’s Nick Potrykus won the long jump at 14-3 1/2, and the

Mariners’ spring medley squad won in 2:05.41.

SEVENTH-GRADE GIRLS

Mesa View was led to the division title -- its first ever -- by

Chelsea Turner, who won three individual events: long jump (12-8), triple

jump (26-11) and 100-meter (13.72). Twins Allison and Heather Harvey

added additional points to the Eagles’ total in the long and triple jump,

respectively.

Mesa View won four other events as Kendall Luther took the 800-meter

in 2:48.74, Kristen Thuve won the 400-meter in 1:10.22, and the Eagles’

won the sprint medley relay and the 4-by-100 relay.

Marine View kept it close during the field events with Saida Hudson

winning the high jump, and teammate Staci Austin placed second.