Attempting to succeed where his older brother fell just short
six years ago, Live Oak High junior hurdler Brandon Powell is
shifting into high gear as the high school track season reaches its
zenith.
Attempting to succeed where his older brother fell just short six years ago, Live Oak High junior hurdler Brandon Powell is shifting into high gear as the high school track season reaches its zenith.
After a moderately successful regular season, Powell has been surprisingly impressive thus far in the postseason, winning a Tri-County Athletic League title in the 110 high hurdles and taking first in his heat in the event at the Central Coast Section Track and Field trials at San Jose City College last weekend.
Powell’s performance on Saturday, in 15.61, qualified him for the CCS finals on Friday night at the same venue.
“This season just keeps getting better and better,” Powell said. “I didn’t expect this at all.”
Powell said he’s been motivated by his brother’s near-miss in the same event at CCS. Powell’s brother C.J., a 1998 Live Oak grad, just missed qualifying for the state finals in his senior year when he finished fourth at CCS.
Only the top three finishers in each event qualify for the state finals, which will be held June 4-5 at Sacramento City College.
Saturday, C.J. was on hand to watch his younger brother try to help erase that disappointment from so long ago.
“I’m pushing for my brother’s time,” Powell said. “He just missed getting to state, so I’d like to get there.”
Even if Brandon doesn’t get there this year, he has another year to try again.
According to Live Oak coach Dean Raymond, who also coached C.J., that is Brandon’s advantage over his brother.
“C.J. didn’t start the hurdles until his junior year, while Brandon hasd his big brother as a model and has been competing in them since he was a freshman,” Raymond said. “Right now, (Brandon’s) times are a little better.”
Live Oak’s other qualifier, sophomore Cobbie Jones, cruised to a victory in her 800 heat, qualifying second overall in 2:12.50.
Jones’ performance set up a showdown in Friday’s finale with Saratoga standout Alicia Follmar, who qualified first overall in 2:12.34.
But Follmar is also competing in the 1,600 just an hour before the 800 final, giving Jones the edge.
Jones qualified for the state finals last season as a freshman at Los Gatos.
While none of the other Live Oak athletes qualified for the section finals, there were some outstanding performances, including several personal records.
“Everyone either had a PR or qualified, except one,” Raymond said.
Junior Tanya Tenorio (31-06.75 in the shot put) and sophomore Azucena Atanacio (111-11 in the discus) both finished third in their heats with PRs.
Junior Heather Molyneaux took sixth in her heat in the 200 in a PR 27.67.
Sophomore Lisa Herrera finished 10th overall in her heat in the 3,200 in a PR 12:07.08.
Junior Billy Wong set season-bests in both the 1,600 (eighth overall in 4:30.15) and 3,200 (12th overall in 10:09.50).
And, Jesus Atanacio was seventh in his 800 heat in 2:03.30.
