Wojcicka leaps to CCS title
Windham and relay team will join long jump champ at state finals
BY JAWARA HARRISON
Pinnacle Staff Writer

Elzunia Wojcicka-Lamb has reached a strange juncture in her track and field career as she heads to this weekend’s California Interscholastic Federation state meet at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento.

She is the undisputed queen of the high school long jump. She could retain the top spot, particularly in this state, right through her college career at Cal.

For now, Wojcicka-Lamb’s quest is to win her first-ever state meet title in the long jump – and some say she could get it even if she isn’t at her best.

And that's where things get unusual, because there really are a few valid challengers for the 17-year-old state leader in the long jump. Yet Wojcicka-Lamb knows she can't afford to take things easy.

"That could never happen," said Wojcicka-Lamb after becoming the Central Coast Section champion in the long jump with a first-place leap of 20-1 ¾ at Los Gatos High School last weekend. "I’ve never won before. I have to get better and keep trying to improve if I want to win."

The Haybaler girls placed second overall in the CCS meet to Mt. Pleasant--finishing with 48 points, its’ highest ever.

Joining Wojcicka-Lamb--who also qualified for the CIF state meet finals by finishing second in the 100-meter hurdles (14.25) and the triple jump (37-8 ¼) – will be 100-meter relay mates Adriana Windham, Miranda Tully and Heidi Zavala. Windham also qualified in the 400-meter run.

Saturday, on a bum leg she’d injured during workout earlier in the week, Wojcicka-Lamb reeled off a 20-¼ leap on her first attempt. She added a half an inch on her second pounce into the landing pits, thus securing her first CCS long jumping title.

"This is the greatest," said Wojcicka-Lamb, who thanked SBHS athletic trainer Dave Tari for Saturday’s success. "He and (SBHS softball first baseman) Kendall Carrigan helped me out a lot when I got injured."

Mt. Pleasant’s own track and field star, Undine Becker, who placed first in four individual events, acknowledged Wojcicka-Lamb’s talent.

"Even if she’s having an off day, she’s nearly unbeatable in that event," said Becker of Wojcicka-Lamb’s prowess in the long jump. "I give it my best and it still wasn’t good enough to beat her."

Becker, who has never broken the 19-0 plateau in the long jump, shattered her personal best with a leap of 20-½, a mere quarter of an inch behind Wojcicka-Lamb’s first-place leap. In the fall, Becker will attend Stanford so the budding rivalry will continue to the next level.

High jumpers Jen Towsley and Sarah Groman ended their track and field seasons with fifth and seventh place finishes respectively. Towsley’s jump of 5-4 was not high enough to overtake St. Ignatius Devon Tracy’s qualifying jump of 5-6 ¼, while Groman’s cleared the 5-foot mark.

"It’s been an unforgettable season," said Groman. "Just making it here was exciting."

Photos by AEON HOPI SCHMOOCK Above:   San Benito's Miranda Tulley, right, hands off the baton to Adriana Windham in the 4 by 100 relay at the CCS Finals Friday. The team's second place finish qualified them for the State Finals. Also on the team are Elzunia Wojcicka and Heidi Zavala.

Even though she qualified in the event, Windham suffered a crushing loss in the 400-meter run. Leading down the stretch, Windham suddenly ran out of gas as Wilcox’s Christina Hardeman caught up and passed her for the win. Hardeman also placed first in the 200-meter run while Windham finished in seventh, too low to qualify for state finals.

On the boys’ side, triple jumper Thomas Fernandez placed seventh with a jump of 42-11 ½. The 4x400 team finished in sixth place while pole-vaulter Mateo Marquez-Connell’s vault of 12-6 was good enough for seventh. Fellow vaulter A.J Wojcicki-Lamb failed to complete a vault.

"I don’t know what happened," said Wojcicki-Lamb after competing in his first CCS finals. "I’ll come back stronger next time."

As for his sister Elzunia, who will be competing in her final meet as a Haybaler this weekend, her amazing feats on the track and field and charming personality will be greatly missed.

"It’s been the greatest four years of my life," said Wojcicka-Lamb. "I’m going to miss everyone."

Qualifying rounds for the CIF state meet starts Friday, June 1, 2001. Stadium gates open 1:00 p.m., field event qualifying starts at 2:00 p.m. and the qualifying running events begin at 5:00 p.m.

The CIF championships are Saturday. Stadium gates open at 3 p.m., field event finals start at 4 p.m. running event finals are scheduled for 6 p.m.