Friday, May 09, 2008

Ojai Valley School wins track league title

Ojai Valley School junior John Kao, center, springs out of the blocks in the 100-meter dash. Kao would go on to win the event in 11.8 seconds, helping his team win the Condor League championship.

By Fred Alvarez

The boys’ track team at Ojai Valley School ran away with the Condor League championship last week, bringing home the league title for the first time in the 40 years OVS has participated in that sport.
Junior standouts John Kao and Parker Colborn helped lead the way, as each brought home three first-place medals. Kao took first in the high jump and 100-meter run, and anchored the winning 4x100-meter relay team. Colborn ran on the winning 4x100-meter and 4x1600-meter relay teams, and took first in the 400-meter run in a time of 52.7 seconds.
Overall, the boys’ squad racked up 78 points at the meet, which involved four other Condor League schools. The meet was held at Thacher School.
“The kids ran with a lot of heart,” said OVS co-track coach Gary Dinkins, who has helped pilot the squad for nearly 35 years.
“We have a lot of talent in a small group this year,” he added. “It’s great for them to see what they can do through a total team effort.”
Other notable performers included sophomore Jesse Holguin, who took second in the high jump and third in the 200- meter run. He also ran on both winning relay teams.
Sophomore Robert Lee took second in the 3200-meter run while junior Ronald Richard took fourth in the 1600-meter run. Sophomore Paul Graham earned fifth in the shot put, fourth in the high jump and was one of the fastest members of the winning 4x1600-meter relay team.

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