Servite motivated to break through, win its first CIF-SS track title

For someone that has been around track and field as long as Servite coach Richard Gibbs has, it is not always easy to find a first.

The Friars have won their league title four times, including this season, taken CIF-SS individual titles, set numerous school records and earned two CIF-SS runner-up plaques during Gibbs’ 16 seasons at the helm.

With one big spot missing in its trophy case, Servite might finally get its first CIF-SS Division 3 team title in the CIF-SS Finals on Saturday at Cerritos College.

“We knew from the beginning, in January, if we did what we were capable of (we could win),” Gibbs said. “You stand around and look at them all, and know there’s an opportunity to just get the job done.”

With Gibbs nearing the end of his career – he quipped that his wife would want next year to be his last – it would be no surprise if the Friars had a little extra push to get this one done for their coach.

“It’s not about me,” Gibbs said. “I have very little ego. I want to win, but not for me. They’re motivated to do that.”

Servite is going to have to put up a major fight to get it done against Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, which has won 10 of the last 15 CIF-SS Division 3 titles with two runner-ups.

PrepCalTrack.com projected Servite with a one-point advantage going into last weekend’s prelims and Notre Dame with the one-point lead projected after the results of prelims.

“We’ve never won the big one,” Gibbs said. “It’d be a great achievement, but I don’t run. I just put them in the right direction.”

The biggest keys to the Friars success this season have been senior hurdlers Ian Ward and Kyle Sandoval. The two qualified in both hurdle races, with Sandoval taking the top spot. Ward also qualified with both relay teams.

“Two of the hardest workers and greatest work ethics I’ve ever seen,” Gibbs said. “It’s hard to describe how tenacious these two guys are.”

Servite has also gotten an influx in the sprints from the football team. Julius Irvin qualified third in the 200 meters, and Keith Taylor qualified first at prelims with the O.C. champion 400 relay.

“Julius Irvin doesn’t have to run for us,” Gibbs said. “He has 12 major (football) offers. Keith Taylor doesn’t have to run track. He has a chance to play (for Washington next season). He’s come out and done great for us.”

On the girls side, Santa Margarita’s girls have 16 entries for the finals. With qualifiers in every event but the 3,200 and the throws, many expect the Eagles to easily collect their third consecutive CIF-SS team title.

In Division 2, Mission Viejo will have a tough time repeating as the girls team champions. Diablos coach Chase Frazier believes the girls title is Westlake’s to lose.

“Last year, it was ours to lose,” Frazier said. “We had an athlete in every event. (Westlake has) got the points and the spread of athletes. They’re scoring a lot everywhere.”

However, Mission Viejo could still be in line for consecutive years with a team title. The Diablos have 12 boys entries spread around the finals to be in great position over sprints-strong San Gorgonio with seven entries and distance-heavy Claremont with six.

“We talk about it,” Frazier said. “Right now, we’re looking at if we show up and do what we can do, we can win it. We have the people in place.”

Junior Ryan Kennedy will be a big point-producer for Mission Viejo’s quest for its first boys team title in 19 years. Kennedy qualified in the 100, 200, long jump and as the lead leg of the 400 relay.

“The problem with him is a four event limit, because he could probably do seven or eight events,” Frazier said. “What we’re seeing now is how well-rounded of an athlete he is. Its great to see his progression and progressing at the right time.

“Late comer, but we’ll take it at any time.”

Senior Quinn Williams will also float the Diablos’ hopes in three events. Williams is the favorite for a repeat title in the 300 hurdles and will also run a strong 110 hurdles and 1,600 relay.

The other star of Division 2 is once again Canyon’s Rachel Baxter in pole vault.

Baxter comes in as the undisputed favorite after setting a Division 2 record in the prelims with a cleared height of 13 feet, 10 inches. The Virginia Tech-bound senior should claim her third consecutive CIF-SS title and always has eyes on breaking her own state record (14-3).

Division 2 also sports two triple-qualifiers. Northwood’s Kellie May qualified in the long jump, triple jump and 100 hurdles. Santa Ana Valley’s Malcolm Wesley qualified in the high jump, long jump and triple jump.

Los Alamitos’ Jose Rubio is a triple-qualifier in Division 1 competing in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump.

Sean Lee of Trabuco Hills is the top-ranked high jumper in the state and should take his third straight CIF-SS title.