Head Coach Guillermo Betancourt, front right, and assistant coaches Joe Gallardo, left, and Marcia Watkins, back row middle, handed out trophies and awards at the annual track banquet.
The Lucerne Valley track team celebrated the end of their season with the annual banquet on Tuesday, May 14th. The event started in the quad with a cheeseburger, chili and potato salad meal courtesy of the Lucerne Valley Culinary Arts student. Afterward the team moved to head Coach Guillermo Betancourt’s classroom where the coaches handed out awards to the athletes.
“Our 2024 track season was challenging but rewarding,” Coach Betancourt said later. “With the help of our new distance coach, Joe Gallardo, school records in the 800, 1600, and 3200 were set. Coach Marcia Watkins also contributed to the sprinters breaking school records in the 100, 200 and 400. Our team continues to grow and improve and we look forward to what 2025 will bring.”
Challenges came, however, when several of the runners, including the team’s fastest sprinter, came down with injuries, he added.
Before handing out the awards, the team watched a video containing highlights throughout the season. Assistant coaches Marcia Watkins and Joe Gallardo joined Coach Betancourt in handing out the trophies.
The 2024 Trophy Awards went to the following:
Freshman Dutch Demke broke the school record in both the 1600 (5:09) and 3200 (11:51.47). He also is the 4th fastest performer in the 800 (2:22.96).
Freshman Wyatt Surber placed 7th in our school top 10 in the 1600 (5:48) and was 10th out of 10 in 400 (62.84).
Freshman Anthony Navarro placed 5th in our school top 10 in the 400 (58.83) and 10th out of 10 in the long jump (16' 4”).
Sophomore Abel Munoz placed 7th in our school top 10 in the 800 (2:41).
Senior Dylnn Cagle was in XC/Track for four years with top 10 school records in the 100 (12.36), 200 (25.13), 1600 (5:19), and 3200 (13:57.06).
Senior Gregory Watkins placed 5th in our school top 10 in the 100 (12.27) and 7th in the 400 (60.48).
Senior Thomas Grandjean placed 8th in our school top 10 in the 100 (12.42).
Sophomore Holly Watkins placed 3rd in our school top 10 in the 400 (66.96).
Sophomore Cynthia Surber placed 6th in our school top 10 in the 100 (14.74), 6th in the 200 (31.52) and 5th in long jump (12' 5”).
Photos courtesy @run_run_run4fun on Instagram
