Impressive act of sportsmanship by Marin Catholic’s Wallenstrom toward Concord’s Stanziano in 800 is biggest highlight at event that finally concludes two days later as a result of inclement weather

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The most enduring image of the CIF North Coast Section Meet of Champions was Marin Catholic sophomore Samantha Wallenstrom stopping with less than 100 meters remaining in the girls 800-meter final to check on the health of her fallen competitor, Concord senior Rayna Stanziano, before they both successfully finished to qualify for the state prelims.

The girls team from St. Mary’s Berkeley and boys program from Clayton Valley also wanted to leave lasting impressions. One group just needed an extra 48 hours in order to make it official.

After St. Mary’s captured its fifth girls team title in six seasons with 74.5 points Saturday at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Clayton Valley had to wait until Monday at Campolindo High in Moraga for the conclusion of the boys long jump and pole vault, which were postponed because of inclement weather two days earlier.

Even after the delay and Clayton Valley not having an athlete competing in either event, the Eagles had established a large enough cushion to capture their second boys championship in three years with 64 points, exceeding a 61.5-point effort in 2017.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS | GIRLS 800-METER RACE VIDEO

St. Mary’s produced the highest girls total since James Logan accumulated 75 points to win the 2010 championship, part of an exceptional run of 10 titles in 11 years for the Colts.

Although Wallenstrom’s 800 title accounted for the only 10 points for Marin Catholic, her impressive act of sportsmanship was the highlight of a meet that was held at a site other than Cal’s Edwards Stadium for the first time since 1999.

Stanziano, who placed third in the state 800 final last season, had built a lead over Wallenstrom entering the final straightaway and appeared headed toward a potential personal best after covering the first 700 meters in 1:48.1.

But a lactic acid overload resulted in Stanziano losing her balance and collapsing on the track. Wallenstrom surged by the fallen Stanziano on her right, before coming to a complete stop and urging the reigning section champion to get up and complete the race. Once Stanziano managed to get to her feet, Wallenstrom regained her momentum and crossed the finish line first in a personal-best 2:13.49.

Stanziano managed to summon enough energy and determination to place second in 2:16.26, just ahead of sophomore Maya Lacamp of Lick-Wilmerding in 2:16.53, with all three athletes qualifying for the state prelims at Buchanan High’s Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis.

Stanziano was assisted by on-site trainers and managed to participate in the awards ceremony, before walking off the infield for further medical examination.

Wallenstrom was praised by numerous coaches, officials and section administrators for her kindness and character, which held greater meaning to her than becoming the first Marin Catholic female to win the 800 section title since 1986.

There was also history made in the girls high jump, with Fortuna’s Katie Hurst securing her third consecutive title with a 5-4 clearance (1.62m), becoming the first athlete to win at least three in a row since Carondelet graduate Adrienne Johnson captured four straight from 2007-10.

Carondelet junior Kelly Kern produced the only meet record in the girls pole vault, clearing 13-4 (4.06m) to eclipse the 2013 mark of 12-10 (3.91m) by Mission San Jose’s Ariel Chang.

Redwood Larkspur senior Liam Anderson became the first male athlete in section history to not only achieve the 1,600 and 3,200 double in consecutive years, but to also win three in a row in the 1,600.

Only Wilcox graduate Mike Ryan won the section title three consecutive years in the mile from 1963-65. The section switched from the mile to the 1,600 for the first time in 1981.

Anderson clocked 4:16.79 and 8:57.35 to become one of only two male athletes to win multiple individual championships, along with Mission San Jose senior Sidarth Raman, who prevailed in the triple jump 46-2.75 (14.09m) and high jump with a 6-8 (2.03m) clearance.

Amador Valley senior Chinyere Okoro and Concord junior Airiana Dargan were the only two female athletes with multiple individual championships.

Okoro produced wind-legal efforts of 11.65 in the 100 and 24.42 in the 200, with Dargan capturing the long jump with a leap of 17-8.75 (5.40m) and triple jump with a mark of 38-8.50 (11.79m).

Although St. Mary’s won both girls relays, capturing the 4x100 in 48.46 and the 4x400 in 3:58.01, the Panthers managed only one individual title from junior Sofia Bailey in the 100-meter hurdles in 15.58, with junior teammate Amelia Tremain placing second in 15.71.

Healdsburg senior Gabrielle Peterson repeated in the girls 1,600 in 4:48.54 and took second in the 3,200 in 10:32.53. Monte Vista junior Kelli Wilson captured the 3,200 title in 10:31.84.

Foothill Pleasanton senior Belle Aduaka won the 400 in 55.64 seconds and Las Lomas senior Taylor Weidinger prevailed in the 300 hurdles in 44.18 seconds.

Granada junior Claire March won the girls discus with a throw of 138-7 (42.24m) and placed fifth in the shot put with a mark of 36-7 (11.15m). Casa Grande junior Lillian McCoy won the shot put with an effort of 40-5 (12.31m).

Clayton Valley swept both boys relays, relying on Cameron Reynolds to anchor both to victory. The Eagles clocked 42.45 in the 4x100 and 3:21.67 in the 4x400.

Reynolds also won the 200 in 21.61 seconds and took second to his cousin Justin Lowe in the 400 by a 48.52 to 48.64 margin.

Fremont John F. Kennedy senior Alonzo Floriolli won the 100-meter dash in a wind-legal 10.77 seconds and Amador Valley sophomore John Lester prevailed in the 800 in 1:55.16.

Dublin senior Donald Davis and Newark Memorial senior Jaelen Craft earned a split decision in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. Davis prevailed in the 110 hurdles by a 14.75 to 15.18 margin, with Craft securing victory in the 300 hurdles, holding off Davis 38.39 to 38.57.

Pittsburg senior John Maka repeated as discus throw champion with a mark of 181-3 (55.24m) and Bryson Trask took second with an effort of 172-10 (52.67m) after winning the shot put at 57-4.25 (17.48m).

St. Mary’s junior Malcolm Clemons, the reigning state long jump champion, secured back-to-back section titles with a leap of 23-9.75 (7.25m) in the conclusion of the event that began Saturday.

Miramonte senior Marcus Young also capped the competition that began two days earlier with a 16-1 clearance (4.90m) in the pole vault to earn the championship.