The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009
The562’s coverage of track and field is sponsored by Bryson Financial
No team scored more points at Saturday’s CIF-SS Track & Field Finals than Wilson, whose boys and girls program combined to post 106 points in the Division 1 competitions. The Bruins’ boys’ team wasn’t able to defend its championship from 2021, but did bring home a silver plaque after putting up 49 points, second only to Upland’s 68. The Wilson girls scored 57 points, third-best in Division 1.
Even better news for Wilson is that the vast majority of their point-scorers will return next year.
“Today was a good day,” said Wilson girls’ track & field coach Neil Nelson. “When it came down to the end, and you look at the points and see that our girls lost by four points, and our guys were right in there with six boys, you know, it makes you feel good. We’re a young to team and the kids stepped up, so I’m walking away feeling good.”
One senior star for the Bruins as an individual was Nico Colchico, the school’s record-holder in the distance races who blazed a 4:13.28 1600 time to claim individual gold. Colchico ran at a blistering pace with a 58 second first lap, and survived a later challenge to claim the win.
“it was super exciting and definitely has been a goal of mine all throughout high school," Colchico said. "Being a senior, this was my last chance and I'm just super grateful and super proud of myself."
The Bruins’ 4x400 team also ran a state-best time of 3:14.20 to bring home the gold, and reassert themselves as the team to beat in Fresno in two weeks after a couple of years of COVID-19 taking the state meet off the schedule. Isaac Lewis had a busy day and took third in the 400, sixth in the 110 hurdles, and third in the 300 hurdles.
On the girls’ side, a DQ in the hurdles hurt Wilson’s chance at the team championship after a false start from Genesis Washington, but she redeemed herself with a terrific performance in the 300 hurdles to secure valuable points for the Bruins out of Lane 9. Washington had a third-place finish after leading most of the race.
“The biggest performance for me was Genesis and the 300 hurdles, that really wasn't something to be expected," said Wilson boys' head coach Shannon Fisher. "We knew she had in her to qualify for the next round, but for her to focus after what happened in the 100 hurdles for her to go out there and actually execute her race, that was the stand out for me."
Elsewhere in the girls' races, the Bruins showcased a talented young team that will contend in the future as well. Aujane Luckey finished second in the 400 and the 200, and senior Samarra Monrroy was third in the 400.
Long Beach Wilson (Division 1)
Girls’ 4×100 3rd, 47.08
Boys’ 1600: Nico Colchico, 1st, 4:13.28
Girls’ 100 Hurdles: Genesis Washington, DQ
Girls’ 100 Hurdles: MaNia Tidwell, 5th, 15.24
Boys’ 110 Hurdles: Isaac Lewis, 6th, 14.85
Girls’ 400: Aujane Luckey, 2nd, 54.83
Girls’ 400: Samarra Monrroy, 3rd, 55.54
Girls’ 400: Kaylin Edwards, 5th, 56.05
Boys’ 400: Leroy Crook, 2nd 48.39
Boys’ 400: Isaac Lewis, 3rd, 48.66
Boys’ 800: Marcell Francis-Mitchell, 3rd, 1:53.91
Girls’ 300 Hurdles: Genesis Washington, 3rd, 44.83
Girls’ 300 Hurdles: Kaylin Edwards, 4th, 45.11
Boys’ 300 Hurdles: Isaac Lewis, 3rd, 38.06
Girls’ 200: Aujane Luckey, 2nd, 23.82
Girls’ 4×400 1st, 3:45.06
Boys’ 4×400 1st, 3:14.20
