San Manuel Miner

The San Manuel track & field team competed at the Willie Williams Classic versus teams from Arizona, Texas and California. The event took place at the University of Arizona on March 20-21.

According to Head Coach Maria Lopez, the 3200m relay team of James Duarte, Patrick Lopez and Colton Stratton epitomized teamwork and performed well in their race.

As a team and individually, the members of the Miners’ track & field team want to qualify for the state championships on May 9-10 at Mesa Community College. The following team members earned a provisional standard at the Willie Williams Classic, which may qualify them for the track & field championships later this year: Lizzette Campa (100m High Hurdles and 400m), Jade Willard (Triple Jump), Ani Robles (Discus), Andres Rodriguez (110m High Hurdles), Jared Gonzales (300m Intermediate Hurdles), James Duarte and Patrick Lopez (3200m).

The following Miners’ team members achieved new personal records at the Willie Williams Classic in Tucson: James Duarte and Patrick Lopez (800m and 1600m), Amara Apuron, Autumn Sanchez and Melissa Flores (800m), Eneida Quintero and Andrea Castaneda (1600m), Theresa Sweeney and Stephanie Morris (Shot Put).

The boys’ and girls’ teams both finished first in the March Track qualifier, hosted by San Manuel. A total of nine teams competed at the event.

San Manuel finished first in the following men’s events: Colton Stratton, Patrick Lopez, Nathaniel Lopez, and James Duarte (4x800m Relay), Andres Rodriguez (110m High Hurdles), Jordan Peasley, Andres Rodriguez, Jared Gonzales, and Andrew Gomez (4x100m Relay), Jared Gonzales (300m Intermediate Hurdles), Andres Rodriguez (High Jump), Carlos Salas (Pole Vault).

The Miners finished first in the following women’s events: Lizzette Campa (100m High Hurdles), Eneida Quintero (1600m), Lizzette Campa (400m), Eneida Quintero (800m), Andrea Castaneda (3200m), Ronzi Carbajal, Lizzette Campa, Nicole Predgo, and Amara Apuron (4x400m Relay), Cita Sweeney (Shot Put and Discus).

Andres Rodriguez and Eneida Quintero were named Athletes of the Meet at the March Qualifier.

The Miners travel to Ray on April 2 for a multi-meet.

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.

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