By Ed Martin
Tyson Pereira won the Central Area pole vault on Thursday. He's shown here during the recent Kiwanis Meet.
Tyson Pereira won the Central Area pole vault on Thursday. He's shown here during the recent Kiwanis Meet.
Photo by Bill Burris, Photography for Kings County

Lemoore’s Michael Burke took the next step toward a state track and field championship by equaling his best high jump this year in the Central Area Section Qualifying meet held Thursday.

Burke went 7-0 and will be joined at the Central Section Masters Meet at Buchanan’s Veterans Memorial Stadium on May 23 by LHS pole vault leader Tyson Pereira and shot put specialist Mitchell Lawrence, both of whom finished first in their respective events.

Pereira vaulted 13-6 while Lawrence won with a 45-9 ¼ effort.

On the girls’ side, Samantha Chedester earned a spot in the Masters with her third place finish in the 800 meters. She finished the race in 2:25.88. The girls’ 400 relay team also earned a spot, running the race and finishing third in 51.55.

West Yosemite League Results

While Lemoore’s track and field team struggled in the West Yosemite League Varsity Championships Friday, there were plenty of individual performances that stood out, including the always dependable Michael Burke, who continued his winning ways by taking first place in the high jump with a jump of 6-8, well below his best effort of 7-0.

Another big surprise was the performance of Jenasis Corby, who won the varsity long jump with a leap of 16-6. Corby also finished second in the 100-meters, with her time of 12.90, just behind Mt. Whitney’s Jenna Shelton.

Pole vaulter Tyson Pereira, like Burke, keeps rolling along, winning the WYL title in the pole vault with his 12-6 effort.

The boys 4 by 100 relay team won, easily taking the top spot with its 43.81 effort. Team members included Allan Perryman, Jerald Campbell, Marquise Love, and Leland Ray. The ladies also won the relay as Tahlia Williams, Autree Turner, Chloe Chedester and Corby easily won in a time of 50.28 seconds.

In the shot put Mitchell Lawrence and Zackery Frazier took second and third respectively while Samantha Chedester took second place in the 800 meters with her 2:24.85 effort.