Lemoore's Michael Burke wins pair of events at 59th Annual Lemoore Kiwanis Track Meet

Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 10:04am

Lemoore’s top track and field athlete keeps getting better. Michael Burke won a pair of events Friday night under picture perfect skies as more than 20 schools from throughout the Central Valley converged on Lemoore’s Tiger Stadium for the 59th Annual Lemoore Kiwanis Track and Field Meet. Kings Christian High School got into this year's act with a number of top athletes, including Moesha Davidson who won in the hurdles and 100-meters.

Burke, who is gunning for a trip to the State Track and Field meet keeps on burnishing his already impressive credentials by winning the long jump and high jump. As a team, Lemoore struggled in the final standings, but Burke didn’t let that phase him as he went out and set a personal best in the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 11 inches. He also tied his best ever high jump with an effort of six feet, eight inches.

The talented junior is indeed gunning for a Central Section championship and a shot at the state meet. “I always try to do my best, no matter what it is. I always try to focus and be the best leader I possibly can for the team,” Burke said. “I think I have a really good chance at both of them this year (Central Valley and state meet) but nothing is guaranteed in life. I think I could possibly improve enough to win state, but I’ve got to work hard and do my best every day.”

Burke started his high jumping career in the eighth grade and didn’t really practice the sport much until he got to high school. He didn’t compete in the long jump until he earned a spot on the track team.

Burke wasn’t the only local athlete to win. Kings Christian High School had a competitive continent of athletes including discus thrower Nico Hudson who continues to rank among the Valley’s leaders. He didn’t win Friday but his teammate Davidson did, winning the 100 meters in 12.56. She edged Lemoore’s Tahlia Williams, who was clocked at 13.45 to finish second. She also won in the hurdles racing to a 14.51 finish.

Keisha Loftin turned in an impressive performance in the 300 hurdles running a fast 46.97, but finished second. Kings Christian’s Bryson Lopez was sixth in the 300 hurdles in the boys division with a 50.99.

Earlier in the week in a Wednesday meet with El Diamante and Kings Christian, Burke won the long jump and finished second in the triple jump while Loftin won the 300 and 100 hurdles. Other winners included Cecelia Czerewko in the 200 meters and Tahlia Williams in the girls 100 meters.

Zack Frazier won the shotput while Annalisa Andrada took second in the long jump and Leland Ray was second in the 100 varsity boys.