Modesto Christian’s Warwick trio shines at MJC Invitational

Spectators on hand for the ninth annual Modesto Junior College Invitational probably thought it was an optical illusion.

To them, it must have appeared like six Warwick sisters from Modesto Christian High School grabbed ownership of the meet. In reality, there were only three – sophomore twins Meagan and Nicole and senior Jaclyn – who combined for six victories out of the 16 girls events.

The trio stormed to victories in both relays while Nicole captured the 200 meters (25.74 seconds) and long jump, Jaclyn won the 100 hurdles (16.37) and Meagan took the 100.

Meagan’s victory in the 100 affirmed the family dominance. Three sprinters in the middle of the track – Danielle Drew of Gregori and Manteca duo Jade Griffin and Regan Both – entered the race with faster times. But out in Lane 7, Warwick started fast and rallied toward the end for the win in 12.62, an early reward for someone only a few weeks removed from basketball season.

“They pushed me. I knew I had to book it,” Meagan said. “Basketball is still my passion, but track really challenges me and keeps me in good condition.”

Athletes from 18 schools gathered at MJC Stadium on Saturday to measure their season’s progress in nearly ideal conditions. Enochs sophomore Claire Seymour enrolled her name on the athlete-to-watch list by winning the 400 in 57.38, the fifth-best time in the Sac-Joaquin Section. Better still, she wasn’t pushed.

“I don’t pay much attention to my time,” Seymour said. “It is exciting to see how far I can go from here.”

Bret Harte freshman Kaela Dishion maxed her busy day with wins in the 1,600 (5:31.89) and 3,200 (11:52.31).

In the boys events, Modesto’s Kendall McNair doubled in the 110 (15.41) and 300 hurdles (41.21). Patterson’s sprinters again excelled with a win in the 4x100 relay (44.32) plus wins by Jamal Broussard in the 100 (a wind-aided 11.32) and Tristan Cherry in the 200 (23.0).

Manteca stood out with five wins, anchored by the 4x400 relay team of Brandon Craighead, Carl Chandler, Mahir Pepic and Juan Gomez (3:30.92). Chandler won the triple jump (42 feet, 5 inches), Gomez took the 400 (51.01), and Craighead won the 800 (2:01.89). Teammate Marcus Montano captured the high jump (5-10).

Stanford Invitational – Oakdale junior Hannah Chappell, runner-up in the state last year in the discus, settled for third place at the Stanford Invitational with a throw of 143-2 (off her section-leading 147-8). The winner was Elena Bruckner of Valley Christian (145-10), followed by Chappell’s section rival, Emelda Malm-Annan of Monterey Trail (143-5).

Buhach Colony’s Brandy Coward reached the final in the 100 by winning her heat (12.39) but eventually finished fifth (12.61). Stephon Eastman of Buhach Colony took home a fourth in the high jump (6-2), and Diego Solis of Livingston was seventh in the discus (152-5).

This story was originally published April 4, 2015 at 10:42 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian’s Warwick trio shines at MJC Invitational."