GALT, CA (MPG) - On a sunny Saturday in March, the Galt Warriors Track and Field team took to the field at Stagg High School for the third annual Lauren DK Pettis Invitational, and they did not disappoint. The energy was palpable as a spirited crowd of parents and family members came out in droves to support the athletes, resulting in an atmosphere brimming with enthusiasm and pride.

Under the guidance of head coach Bruce Peterson, the Warriors showcased their talent on the track and in the field, achieving significant milestones. The team celebrated an impressive haul of medals, with 18 athletes achieving personal records, a testament to their hard work and determination.

The varsity girls, varsity boys, and junior varsity girls teams all finished strong in fourth place, while the junior varsity boys team captured a well-deserved second place, highlighting the team’s breadth and depth across all age groups.

The day was particularly highlighted by five remarkable first-place finishes. Sophomore Morgan Jones dazzled in the high jump, soaring to victory, while senior Kitto Gonzalez excelled in both the 1600m and 3200m races. 

Sophomore Dominic Gonzalez impressed in the 800m, and the varsity boys sprint medley relay 800m team showcased their speed and synergy to clinch a top spot.

In addition to their top finishes, the Warriors achieved a staggering 23 Top 10 finishes, marking a strong presence across various events. Noteworthy performances included:

Freshman MC Azubuike: 5th in JV 100m (12.69 PR), 7th in JV 200m (26.80).

Freshman Amilio Gomez: 8th in JV 100m (27.26 PR).

Freshman Mark Grammer: 3rd in JV Long Jump (15' 1 PR).

Junior Caleb McEwen: 57.81 seconds in varsity 400m (PR).

Sophomore Dominic Gonzalez: 1st in JV 800m (2:20.04 PR), 3rd in JV 400m (1:02.17 PR).

Senior Kitto Gonzalez: 1st in varsity 1600m (4:34.80 PR), 1st in varsity 3200m (10:07.79).

Senior Logan Rose: 4th in varsity 1600m (4:42.67 PR), 3rd in varsity 3200m (10:21.75 PR).

The competition also witnessed some impressive performances in middle-distance and distance events. Notable results in these categories included:

Sophomore Emily Razo: 4th in varsity 1600m (6:03.61 PR), 3rd in 3200m (13:49.88 PR).

Freshman Danielle Aragon: 3rd in JV 1600m (15:13.94 PR), also taking 2nd in JV 3200m.

The efforts extended beyond racing, with Morgan Jones also taking home first place in varsity discus (4’8”) and finishing second in varsity long jump (14’4”).

“It was a good showing for our team in the first meet of the season,” Coach Peterson remarked. “We had some outstanding performances, especially from our 16 new athletes who participated in their first races and performed admirably. Winning the spirit award was really awesome to see. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but I’m looking forward to how the rest of the season unfolds.”

Next up for the Warriors is the Sierra Valley Conference Meet, taking place on Wednesday, March 26 at Galt High School. 

With the momentum from this meet, the Warriors are set to build on their success as they continue their track and field journey this season.