Clash of California rivals ends up even, setting up winner-take-all league final; Vista Murrieta girls prevail for first time since 2016

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

One of the most anticipated boys track and field dual meets of the season, not only in California, but the entire country, had plenty of drama and several unsung heroes Thursday, but no winner.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS

For the first time since Great Oak joined the Southwestern League in 2007, the Wolfpack and rival Vista Murrieta battled to a 68-68 tie, creating even more intrigue entering the winner-take-all championship meet April 25 at Murrieta Mesa High.

The girls showdown was decided well before the meet’s conclusion, with Vista Murrieta rebounding from humbling setbacks the past two seasons to prevail by a 78-58 margin to defeat Great Oak for the first time since 2016.

The Broncos had won nine in a row in the annual girls series from 2008-16, before Great Oak halted the streak with a 95-41 victory two years ago, followed by an 86-50 triumph last season.

After Vista Murrieta won seven straight boys matchups from 2007-13, Great Oak had prevailed in three of the past five boys meetings, with the Broncos earning a 74-62 victory last year.

Vista Murrieta anticipated it was in position to win again after securing a victory in the 4x400-meter relay in 3:22.94 to increase its advantage to 67-60.

But Great Oak rallied to force the tie, with Kyle Yonker and Jack Wright both clearing 14-6 (4.41m) in the pole vault to earn eight points. Vista Murrieta’s Kendal Gibbs only managed to clear 14 feet (4.28m) to place third.

Great Oak received victories in the 100 and 200 from Grant Gaskins in 10.90 and 22.36, along with sweeping the 1,600 and 3,200. But it was Christian Byrtus’ win in the 300 hurdles in a personal-best 39.92 that helped spark a Wolfpack comeback from a nine-point deficit following the 800.

Byrtus, who also placed third in 110 hurdles (15.34) behind Vista Murrieta’s Hunter Escorcia (14.76) and Nathan Coker (15.28), became the sixth male athlete in Great Oak history to run under 40 seconds in the 300 hurdles.

Elijah Schultz-Minton produced the only other field-event victory for Great Oak by winning the triple jump with a leap of 42-9.50 (13.04m).

Darius Hill won the high jump with a 6-7 (2.00m) clearance and long jump with a leap of 21-4.25 (6.50m) for Vista Murrieta, which swept both relays and received a victory in the 800 in 1:55.42 from Willie Coleman III, who also anchored the 4x400 relay.

Edward Ta’amilo set a program record for the Broncos in the discus with a fourth-round throw of 182-2 (55.52m), eclipsing the 2012 mark of 175-4 (53.44m) held by his brother Sapule Ta’amilo.

For the second year in a row in the girls competition, Carlita Coleman swept the discus and shot put for Vista Murrieta with marks of 102-2 (31.14) and 35-7 (10.84m).

Summer Stevenson tried to keep Great Oak within striking distance, winning the 300 hurdles (48.66), long jump (17-9) and triple jump (36-9.50), along with placing third in the 100 (12.78). Fatima Cortes added victories in the 1,600 (4:59.71) and 3,200 (10:53.16) for the Wolfpack.

But Sierra Smith swept the 100 (12.45) and 200 (25.47), with Destiny Mattingly prevailing in the 400 (1:00.34), followed by Makayla Fick (2:17.42) and Peyton Candaele (2:17.81) taking the top two spots in the 800 and contributing to a 4x400 victory in 4:06.77 for Vista Murrieta, which had clinched the final outcome with three events remaining.