Estancia train continues its winning ways

Steve Virgen

There’s something different about the Estancia High boys track and

field team this season, something that can’t be explained in mere

results. It’s easier to find out about the Eagles by seeing them

perform, by seeing their talent in action.

Estancia had all weapons attacking as it defeated visiting

Westminster, 80-47, Thursday in Golden West League competition.

Perhaps the best description of the Eagles is that they are now

considered the favorite to win the league title. The Eagles are

certainly expecting to win it.

“At this point, that’s all they talk about,” Estancia Coach Steve

Crenshaw said of his athletes’ quest for the league title. “They’re

coming into it saying, ‘Who can beat us?’ If we just keep doing what

we’ve been doing, we’ll win it.”

Estancia won 10 of the 13 individual events with junior Jason

Johnston leading the way with four victories. Johnston, who had a

little cough during the day, won the long jump (20-1), triple jump

(40-11), 110-meter high hurdls and 300 intermediate hurdles, posting

times of 15.19, and 44.9, respectively.

Johnston’s victories might signify that the Eagles don’t have

depth, since this is the second meet he has won four events. But that

is not the case. Estancia does, in fact, have depth, more so than

last season.

“We’re pretty well-rounded,” Crenshaw said. “That’s where we’re

hurting everyone. We can go two-deep in some events and if we’re down

in one event, we’re going to make up for it in some other event.

Before we were carried by our distance runners. But, now, we have

other athletes competing in different places. We can win the jumps,

hurdles and, if we’re not winning the sprints, we’re still scoring

points.”

Johnston is still regaining strength as he is overcoming sickness.

Yet he has been able to discover challenges when he tries to earn

personal records or just win. His improvement over the past two

seasons has mirrored Estancia’s growth, as well.

“We’ve all improved a lot this season,” Johnston said of the

Eagles. “We’ve been pushing each other to go harder. When we get to

the league finals, I think we’ll be the toughest team to beat.”

Junior Panfilo Elias (400), senior Abel Flores (800), senior Zack

Novak (high jump) and senior Joey Lindquist (shot put) also won their

events. Senior Humberto Rojas, who was saving his energy for an

invitational this weekend, won the 1,600 (4:37.8), the only event he

competed in.

Rojas, the Golden West League’s premier distance runner, will

compete in the Poway Invitational, which begins today and will end

Saturday. The Estancia senior said the Eagles need more incentive if

they want to take it to the next level.

“There’s hardly any competition and we’re not pushing as hard as

we could,” Rojas said. “I’ve been trying to push myself, but I think

if we had more competition we would be even better.”

Rojas’ rather bold statement could also be directed as a challenge

for crosstown rival Costa Mesa, which faces the Eagles in two weeks.

Estancia, which is undefeated in four league meets, will also take on

Ocean View before the dual-meet portion of league ends.

Crenshaw is convinced the Eagles can finish the season undefeated

and win the league title because his team is thriving in the

favorite’s role.

“There’s just a lot better attitude out here,” Crenshaw said. “The

guys seem to be having fun. We have put more work into this season

and everyone is capable of improving.”