School Record Falls at CIF Finals

In the final race of his high school career, Laguna Beach senior Nathan Lancaster toppled the school’s longest-standing track and field record at CIF finals on Saturday at Cerritos College. His 49.46 in the 400-meter dash was four ticks faster than the 49.5 Chris Paulsrud ran in 1963. Paulsrud competed in the 440-yard dash. His time of 49.5 reflects a conversion to meters.

Lancaster’s third place finish earned him a CIF medal and capped a stellar career for the two-sport star, who used his blazing speed and deceptive moves to rush for a school record 2,297 yards last fall in football. Lancaster also raised the Orange County single game standard to 547 yards.

Senior Kailar Pike saved the best jump of his career for last, clearing the bar at 6’3” to set a personal record and take home a medal for third place in the high jump.

Junior Janie Crawford also set personal record, earning a second place medal with a time of 2:16.84 in the 800 meters.

In addition to Crawford, senior Brielle Budroe placed fifth in the 800 with a time of 2:18.65; sophomore Coco Putnam ran a 45.02 to finish fourth in the 300 hurdles; junior Brenna Merchant took seventh in the 3200 with a time of 11:34.8; and sophomore Jackie Cenan finished sixth in the shot put with a throw of 35’2”.

Junior Natalie Kimball teamed up with Crawford, Budroe and Putnam to finish fifth in the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 4:01.96.

All six girls contributed points to the team’s sixth place score of 26, their best CIF finish in more than 30 years.