Gregori girls poised to extend Modesto Metro Conference track dynasty

The Gregori High seniors received a patch last year to commemorate their 24-0 career record in Modesto Metro Conference girls track duals.

It was special, of course, especially for the school’s second graduating class. But one year later, the current varsity team is determined not to break the streak.

“We don’t want the legacy to crumble,” senior Teigan MacDonald said.

Gregori can wrap up its fifth straight MMC title, thus extending its winning streak to 30 spanning five seasons, with a victory on Wednesday at Downey. Indeed, the Jaguars never have lost a league girls dual meet.

“They worked right with the girls who built the streak,” coach John Biven said. “Now they’re a part of it and want to keep it going.”

The foundation was set by last year’s seniors, among them Emily Van Dyke, A’kia Roland and even a hefty one-year contribution from foreign exchange student Julia Walderich. That class dominated in volleyball and basketball and brought the Jaguars some of their first major successes in athletics. The patches were earned.

“That class was strong as freshmen,” Biven said. “We were sweeping in five or six events last year.”

A year later, Gregori uses point-getting depth to take charge. About 175 athletes came out for track this year – the boys can clinch their first MMC title with a win over Downey – and about 75 fill out the girls team.

The Jaguars do not feature such singular stars as Downey sprinter Erykah Hall or Enochs sophomore Claire Seymour in the 400. Instead, they do it with numbers.

“Sometimes, quantity does mask quality,” MacDonald said.

That said, MacDonald takes a back seat to no one in athleticism. She has made her mark in volleyball and basketball along with track. She also plays for a rugby club team in Pleasanton, and that rough-and-tumble sport probably will be a part of her future at UC San Diego. For now, she’s happy doing her part for the track team in the pole vault and the long jump.

“Gregori had been a girls athletics dynasty, but not so much this year,” MacDonald said. “We reminded everyone in track that we still have it.”

The points parade is anchored by MacDonald, seniors Brianna Swan (long jump, triple jump, 4x100 relay) and Destiny Elgen (shot put, discus, high jump) and junior Sophia Eldredge (200, 400, 4x100 relay).

“There’s been no specializing this year,” MacDonald said. “We’re all renaissance women.”

Biven, the track coach since Gregori opened, also led volleyball and track teams at Beyer and Modesto Junior College before he joined the newest Modesto school.

“We have less experience on this year’s team, so we’ve moved up some younger kids,” Biven said. “The numbers are making the difference this year. But our older girls noticed before they were seniors that this was a big deal.”

The girls also understand how they want it all to end.

“If we win, we’ll ask for a patch and a T-shirt,” MacDonald said.

This story was originally published May 4, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Gregori girls poised to extend Modesto Metro Conference track dynasty."