Boys track: Depleted Eagles fall

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - Similar to most high school track and field teams,

Estancia’s boys squad has a special camaraderie, almost like a family.

But the Eagles’ “family” was missing a few brothers Thursday as they

lost, 77-52, to Pacific Coast League foe Northwood.

Estancia Coach Dominic Lakey said his top shot putter, Robert Arroyo,

his fastest 100-meter sprinter, Paulo Tanielu, as well as 800 and 1,600

relay contributor, Omar Montillo, missed the meet at Northwood because of

illness. In Tanielu’s case, he is suffering hip problems.

“We’re a tight-knit group because we’re such a small team,” Lakey

said. “Everyone is pretty much friends.”

The Eagles, however, were still able to bring home some victories.

Estancia sophomore Humberto Rojas starred in the 400 and junior Mike

Casillas won the 1,600 and 3,200 (10:31.8).

Rojas showed a spectacular kick before the final stretch in his

victory in the 400. After 50 meters, he was fourth out of five runners.

He then moved to third at 200 meters. With 100 meters remaining, Rojas

shifted into a higher gear to pass a Northwood rival, whom he finished

one-tenth of a second before Northwood’s runner.

“Humberto’s stamina is much stronger than anybody else,” Lakey said.

“That was the difference between the (Northwood) sprinter and the

distance runner in Humberto.”

In the 1,600, Casillas and Rojas displayed their stamina and led from

the start. At the halfway point, they were running even with a 2:26 split

and they traded the lead until Casillas slightly pulled away in the last

100 meters. Casillas finished in 4:50.6 and Rojas came in at 4:50.9.

Casillas and Rojas are an example of the Eagles’ team spirit as they

have been teammates since the fall when they ran cross country together.

“We all get along and hang out,” Casillas said. “For us to be friends

is important for the team.”

Aside from the distance running duo, sophomore Kyle Casillas (no

relation to Mike), earned more points for the Eagles when he finished in

the top three in three events.

Kyle Casillas was second in the 100 (11.9), one-tenth of a second

behind the Timberwolves’ winner. He also took second place in the high

jump with a 5-foot-4 clearance. And he finished third in a tight 200,

where Northwood finished first at 24.0, Estancia’s Jorge Zuniga was

second in 24.2 and Kyle Casillas clocked a 24.6.

Zuniga also was second in the triple jump (37-5).

The Eagles will use their upcoming spring vacation to get healthy,

said Lakey, who believes the rest comes at a good time.

Estancia finishes out its PCL dual-meet schedule April 26 against

University.