Records in peril at county championships

Local student-athletes look forward to the Ventura County Track and Field Championships every year.

This year is no exception.

“It’s the one and only time the best Ventura County athletes compete against each other,” Moorpark High athletic director and track coach Rob Dearborn said. “It’s a great meet.”

The yearly bonanza takes place Friday at Moorpark High. Most field events begin at 2:30 p.m., while running events commence at 4 p.m.

This season’s meet will feature a portable runway system for pole vault that was used at the Arcadia Invitational. The pole vaulters normally compete in a corner of the MHS field, but now they’ll be showcased in the middle of the field.

Entry to the Championships is $5 for adults and high school students, and $3 for children ages 6 to 12.

Fans can expect plenty of fireworks throughout the evening.

“Some records will get broken Friday night,” Dearborn said. “You don’t get to see that that often.”

Female athletes to watch for in the Thousand Oaks Acorn coverage area include sisters and sprint specialists Morgan and Megan Thompson of Newbury Park, Oaks Christian Alexandra Courtnall in the 200, and Thousand Oaks’ 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

Top boys include Westlake’s Sam DeMello in the 800, Newbury Park’s Sean Grumney in the 800, sprinter and jumper Niko DiMartino of Oaks Christian, Philip Hanley of Thousand Oaks in the high jump, Lancer Steven Penfield in discus and shot put specialist Pat Smith of Newbury Park.