Zebras track and field leaving marks on school record books

What started with a record-setting swimming season has continued into the track and field season at Lincoln High School. Several varsity and JV school records were broken in the Lincoln High School pool this spring. The trend has been carried on by Lincoln's track and field athletes at both levels in one of the most – if not the most – challenging seasons Lincoln has seen in its long history. "This season has been incredibly stressful and difficult to navigate with protocols and ever-changing information coupled with kids trying to compete in multiple sports at one time," Lincoln coach Dan Friese said. "But, as a team it hasn't slowed anyone down. We have adapted really well and have tried to make this season as 'normal' and fun as possible. All of the successes are direct reflection of the athletes' hard work and the incredible job that the coaches have done working with these kids." Senior Sofia Anderson had a day at Saturday's Chico Invitational, where the Lincoln girls finished second by just 1.5 points to Chico, 128.5-127. Friese could not have asked for more from Anderson, who won four events, including setting a new school record in the high jump at 5 feet, 4 inches. Anderson also won the triple jump (30-7) and had personal records in winning the 100 hurdles (16.65 seconds) and 300 hurdles (51.51). Lincoln featured other multi-event winners, including junior Peyton Derepentigny, who won the 1,600 (5:32.03) and the 800 (2:30.92, a personal best). The Lady Zebras' 4x100 relay team of Carly Schukei, Celise Pacheco, Kayla Baker and Taylor Keomuangtai won with a time of 54 seconds. Pacheco, a sophomore, also won the 400 at 1:04.95. Keomuangtai was the runner-up in the 100 (13.33) and third in the 200 at 27.27. A school record was also set on the boys circuit on Saturday, where Lincoln finished third behind Pleasant Valley and Chico, 149.5-101-100. Sophomore Jaden Trujillo, who won the 3,200 at 10:18.69, set the Lincoln standard in the 1,600 with a fourth-place finish of 4:36.72. Trujillo also set the school's varsity mark for the 3,200 (10:02.40) on May 1 at Rocklin's Thunder Invitational. Senior James Edwards raced to wins in the 200 (23.01) and 400 (52.20). Senior Kyle Loutzenhiser won the 300 hurdles (41.89), was second in the 400 (53.36) and third in the long jump (19-1.5), the latter two being personal records. "I'm sad to see the season end without having any championships or regional championships as we have some really talented seniors that are going to miss out on those experiences," Friese said. "On the other hand, I am extremely proud of our seniors for all that they have had to overcome in the last two years. From a canceled season to a shortened sprint of a season, they have been role models, mentors and will leave a great lasting impression on each and every one of our underclassmen." Notable frosh-soph performances from Lincoln include record-setting performances by Trujillo in the 3,200 (10:16.48), sophomore Evan Carleton-Sniff in the 1,600 (4:40.46) and freshman Mallory Kuehl in the high jump (4-10) and triple jump (32-1).