Solis overcomes illness for fifth at Masters

Livingston High senior Diego Solis could not train all week. A stomach virus stopped his practice regimen cold.

The timing was not good. The Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Track and Field Championships, the premier meet of the section season, beckoned at Elk Grove High.

Solis, still not 100 percent, relied on his adrenaline and his competitive instincts Thursday. He delivered a discus throw of 154 feet, 8 inches, his second-best effort of the season, for an admirable fifth-place finish.

“The competition was what I wanted,” said Solis after his first Masters competition. “I’m kind of disappointed. It was hard, but I came back. Mind over matter.”

Solis, who doubled in the shot put and discus at the section Division IV/V meet last week at Cal State Stanislaus, did not even qualify for the divisional meet last year.

Nevertheless, he showed some moxie Thursday. He needed a good throw on his third and what could have been his final attempt, and he got it – a 149-footer – to reach the three-throw finals. Grant senior Darrin Paulo overpowered the field for the win with an 181-11 on his last attempt, his third toss over 180 feet.

The discus was one of six field-event finals. The top three, along with the top three in all races and events Friday night, will qualify for the CIF Championships next week at Buchanan High in Clovis.

Andres Hernandez of Merced placed sixth in the triple jump (41-91/4).

On the track, athletes needed to place in the top eight – the winners of the three heats, plus the five fastest non-winners – in races through the 800 to advance to Friday night.

An overcast and muggy afternoon gave way to a pleasant evening as sprinters stepped into a slight headwind on Elk Grove’s synthetic surface.

Hilmar High senior Dani Olson will wrap up a solid career Friday night in the finals of the 100-meter hurdles. She earned her spot by winning her heat with a 14.90, second overall behind Jurnee Woodward of Vacaville at 14.26.

Merced’s Jamar Turner settled for 14th overall in the 300 hurdles (39.90) and was fourth in his heat.

Pacheco senior Mark Joseph placed 10th overall in the 400 (50.3) and was less than a half-second away from a finals berth.

Livingston’s Tina Lao, seeded fifth in the shot put, finished 13th (35-10). She’ll compete Friday night in the discus, where she’s seeded 10th.

This story was originally published May 28, 2015 at 10:45 PM with the headline "Solis overcomes illness for fifth at Masters."