Carrillo excels in the Big Cat track meet

MCHS student running at Big Cat Meet (Photo courtesy of Leanne West)

By Calais Cuellar, staff writer

When the peak of the rainy season comes, so does the first big track meet. The annual Big Cat meet is notorious both for being especially rainy and for Maria Carrillo dominating the local competition. This year players were drenched, rainfall worsening towards the end of the meet and forcing Carrillo to pull out of the 4x400. However, this didn’t stop the Pumas from having a fantastic performance, with times that set out a great start to the season. 

Carrillo’s women's junior varsity and varsity both succeeded in the meet, the combined teams taking first place for the meet. Many fantastic races took place, but one breakout performance was freshman Ashlin Mallon who won first place in the 800 meters. Senior Allison Tito received first place off the track and onto the field for both the long jump and the high jump. Following Tito in the high jump, freshman Sireen Moalla received an impressive second place. 

MCHS students hurdling in Big Cat Meet (Photo courtesy of Leanne West)

While the varsity men had less victorious results than the women finishing, the male Pumas still had their moments of triumph. Some notable players are junior Jack Wilson, finishing first in the 800 and 1600 meters, and senior Nehemiah Holiday, who also received first in the triple jump. Two of our Pumas did well in the 3200 meters, with junior Ome Zuniga getting second and sophomore Austin Petrik following in third. 

The meet was a positive win to start the year with, but more importantly a learning experience for all racers. Senior Emma Moore, who ran the 400 meters, said “I think it’s good because you can see all the competition,” with players and coaches getting to see what they need to improve on and what schools they need to prioritize beating. Though the weather is an obstacle everyone faces, Moore also noted that “it rains every single year and it’s the longest meet of the season.” 

MCHS student pole vaulting at Big Cat Meet (Photo courtesy of Leanne West)

Big Cat is also the first time players get to see their teammates in a competitive match, with senior Kylie Malm saying that the meet is “super fun, I love seeing everyone on the first race and everyone be all together”. Despite the unfortunate conditions and prolonged races, competitors are back on the track and field, doing what they love with teammates who support them. And even if the racers don’t have a lot of fun, it is said best by Kylie Malm that one of the most rewarding aspects of the race is “getting Chick-fil-A.”