Lindhurst triumphant in return to home field

When a new football field was laid down at Lindhurst High in 2002, it came with a price.

The installment left all field event stations destroyed: the jumping pit was replaced with a water tower, the discus and shot put fields erased, and just that quick, the track and field program had no home.

Lindhurst also was without its coach after Rob Castleman left to train his daughter at Yuba City High.

But for the first time in six years on Wednesday, Dean Miller Stadium was alive and well, decorated with chalked lanes, hurdles and track and field athletes scattered in preparation to compete.

In a proud return, Castleman believes the Blazers are on the right path.

"This is our first meet here in at least six years," said Castleman. "I think we were all excited about having a meet on our own campus. I just love setting up our own 'Lindhurst' hurdles."

While Castleman was satisfied enough just orchestrating and watching Lindhurst play host to San Juan, Highlands and Capital Christian, a victory was icing on the cake.

The Lindhurst boys edged San Juan, 66-62, the girls fell, 56-51, and the junior varsity boys won, 34-10.

"I had no idea what San Juan had coming into this," Castleman said. "And I was focused just trying to get our facility usable, but I'm very happy with the outcome. It's a pleasant surprise."

After eight events were completed, the boys were knotted up at 34, but a strong finish in the triple jump, the 200 meter and the 800 gave the Blazers the push they needed.

Kenny Teasley, who posted a jump of 37 feet, 8 inches, led Lindhurst to a sweep in the triple jump. He also finished first in the long jump (18-feet, 2.5 inches).

Lindhurst's Joey Villasenor cruised to victories in the 1,600 (5 minutes, 0.95 seconds), the 3,200 (11:38) and finally the 800 (2:10), before running the final leg of the 1,600 relay in which the Blazers finished second.

"He's quite a talent," Castleman said of Villasenor. "He has so much drive that he almost overtrains."

Nelson Valdez kept Lindhurst in the thick of things early on in a very competitive 100.

Valdez crept up on San Juan's Deren Stroughter and Douglas Randle, and all three finished in a photo-finish. When the dust settled, Stroughter finished first (11.17), Valdez was second (11.28) and Randle was third (11.31).

Nelson found himself in the same predicament in the 200, but this time he took first (23.75), just edging Stroughter (24.0).

Kenderick Jones, who also finished second in the 400, gave Lindhurst a win in the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches), while teammates Nick McCoubruy, Dennis Daniel and Roman Jonathan each provided Lindhurst with multiple second- and third-place finishes from the lanes.

Also for the boys, Jones, Valdez, McCoubruy and Dautrive Orion led Lindhurst to a victory in the 4-by-100 relay (47.75).

The girls were strong enough on the track, but slipped when it came to the field events.

Rachel Yanik led Lindhurst to wins in the 1,600 (6:16) and the 800 (2:47), while Danielle Dennis finished first in the 3,200 (15:44) and Ariel Caporale gave the girls their only win the field with a throw of 81 feet, 11 inches in the discus.

Matthew Kearns took first place in the 110 hurdles, the long jump and the 300 hurdles for the JV boys.

Contact sports reporter Bryan DeMain at 749-4796 or at bdemain@appeal-democrat. com.