ESTANCIA PRIDE

Steve Virgen

Estancia High senior Zack Novak, as well as the rest of the Eagles,

had an extra reason to cheer after he completed a thrilling

performance in the boys high jump in the CIF State preliminaries

Friday at Cerritos College. Estancia senior Humberto Rojas, just as

Novak, advanced to the finals, which are today at Cerritos College,

where they will be joined by Costa Mesa senior Sharon Day, who took

one step closer to defending her state title in the high jump.

Corona del Mar’s Anne St. Geme ended her impressive freshman

season after finishing eighth in her heat, and 14th overall in the

1,600 meters (5:06.24). She said she enjoyed the experience and she

seemed anxious for next year.

In the boys 1,600, Rojas qualified second in his heat, and fourth

overall, using what has become his trademark race-ending kick to

finish in 4:15.41. During the final 200 meters, Rojas appeared to be

boxed in, but he continued to maneuver his way through a pack of

runners.

As a result, he was spiked on his right shin -- a runner kicked

him -- and he also took an elbow to his face. However, Rojas was

determined to finish in the top three in his heat.

While Rojas was running in the 1,600, Novak was making his dreams

come true in the high jump. Novak, who matched his personal-best and

cleared 6 feet, 6 inches, won a jump-off against sophomore Danny

Williams of Fremont for the ninth and final qualifying spot.

Longtime Estancia track and field coach and distance-running

specialist Charlie Appell said he could not remember the last time

two Estancia boys advanced to the state finals.

With seven qualifying spots filled, Novak, Williams and top-seeded

Matthew Carter of El Modena competed in a jump-off. The height

started at 6-8, which Novak and Williams missed, but Carter cleared.

Novak and Williams then tired to clear 6-7, but they both missed. The

bar went down to 6-6 and both jumpers could not clear that. But, at

6-5, Novak put the pressure on Williams by clearing that mark first.

Then, Williams hit the bar on the way up.

Less than a minute after Novak won the jump-off, he saw Rojas

finish second in the 1,600. Novak ran over to Rojas and told him, “We

did it.”

“I have people come up to me and they ask me, ‘Where’s Estancia,’

” Novak said. “Nobody knows about us, but now they know.”

Novak’s run through the postseason meets has read like a

storybook. Last year, he didn’t participate in the postseason after

battling through shinsplints to clear just 5-8 at the Pacific Coast

League finals. But this year, Novak won the Golden West League title.

Then he went on to win the CIF Southern Section Division III

championship after clearing 6-6. Novak, the 23rd seed of 28 jumpers,

also earned the final qualifying spot last week in the Masters Meet

to advance to today’s state preliminaries.

“It has been a surreal season for him,” Estancia jumps coach

Frough Jahid said.

Day needed but one jump to advance to the state finals. She waited

for about 90 minutes, then cleared 5-6 to grab the top qualifying

spot. She is favored to win her second straight state title today.

“I have the ability to win it and I hope I do,” said Day, who is

scheduled to jump at 5:30 p.m. today.

Novak will compete at 3 p.m. and Rojas at 4:28.