Captivating storylines for CCS track and field finals - San Jose Mercury News

The Central Coast Section track and field finals will be held at Gilroy High School on Friday. Field events are set for 4 p.m., with running events scheduled for 6 p.m. The top three finishers in each event qualify for the CIF State meet in Clovis on June 4-5.

The 1,600-meter boys race should be a great one with Palo Alto's Philip MacQuitty running against a solid field that includes twins Weston and Nathan Strum from Pioneer High

The Strum brothers are each competing in two events. Nathan (who is headed to UC Davis) will also try to defend his title in the 800 meters, while Weston (headed to Loyola Marymount) takes on a difficult challenge by racing in both the 1,600 and 3,200.

The UCLA-bound MacQuitty was the 3,200-meter champ as a freshman and took third in the race last season. "The Strums are obviously very talented runners," MacQuitty said. "They can adapt to any type of race. They can take it out hard and hang on or come on with a big kick at the end. They are both taking on tough doubles, so I don't think the race will be too fast in the beginning. I'm thinking it will go out in about 2:05."

MacQuitty is known for his impressive kick, so this race could be one of the most exciting events of the night. Another top athlete expected to shine is Valley Christian sophomore Byron Marshall, one of the favorites in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump.

Marshall was second in the long jump and finished eighth in the 200 meters as a freshman.

"I've spent a lot of time training in the 100 meters and I'm feeling really good physically right now," Marshall said. "The competition is going to be great in the sprints. There are three guys in each race who are capable of winning. I like my chances in the long jump. I'd be happy to take two out of three, but the goal is all three. It's going to be tough, but isn't everything?"

On the girls side, Pinewood senior Angela Gradiska is back to defend her 100- and 200-meter titles. The Stanford-bound senior was sidelined with a foot injury at the beginning of the season, but has come back strong. Last year she finished second in the 200 and fourth in the 100 at the state meet.

Another Stanford-bound star, Leland's Katie Nelms, is entered in the 100 meters, the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. She will face defending 100 hurdle champ Hannah Goranson (Duke) in the final. Nelms won the 300 hurdle title last year and was second in the 100 meters and 100 hurdles as she led the Chargers to the CCS team title.

Talented Wilcox sophomore Iesha Hardiman will defend her title in the 400-meter dash, and she will also provide a challenge to Gradiska in the 200 meters, where Hardiman finished third last year.

Homestead discus and shot put thrower Jillian Weir will be trying for a tough double. She edged Santa Teresa's Meagan McKee by a half inch to win the shot put at the CCS semifinals. Her best discus throw of 147-3 is currently ranked fourth in the state.