by

Isaiah Villegas competes in the 100 meter dash. Photo by Jasmine Smith

  The San Manuel track team hosted nine teams in the March qualifier on Wednesday, March 14. The Miners boys’ team finished third while the girls finished fourth. Members of both Miners’ teams were battling illnesses, which affected their results.

  “(We) were hindered by sickness of some of the athletes, but those who participated gave there all and had a good meet,” San Manuel head coach “Bill” Smith told the Miner.

  Jesus Diaz (2^nd – 800m), Adrian Sierra (3^rd – 800m), Gilberto Pinedo (3^rd – 1600m), and Alex Velasquez (3^rd – 3200m) were among the standouts at the meet for the boys’ team. The boys’ 4x400m relay team finished second. Stars in the field events included Elvis Mejia (3^rd – Triple Jump), Michael Primero took first in the Pole Vault (8’00”), and Michael Ochoa, who took first in both the Shot Put (38’9”) and Discus (130’9”).

  For the girls’ team, Araceli Curry (1^st – 3200m) was the top finisher. Alicia Guerrero took first place in Pole Vault (6’0”). The girls’ 4x100m relay team finished second.

Michael Primero doing the pole vault. Photo by Jasmine Smith

Sean Strand does the hurdles for the first time. Photo by Jasmine Smith

Andy Luberda (1149 Posts)

Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.

by

by