The Poly track and field team capped off its spring season with standout performances at Prep League Finals and CIF-Southern Section Division IV competitions with athletes across nearly every event group achieving personal records, league titles and CIF qualifications. Marked by a talented freshman class and experienced upperclassmen, Poly built a competitive yet supportive team culture throughout the season.
Assistant coach Lena Etoka described the season as one built on positivity and teamwork: “I would say it was a great season overall. We had a lot of new freshmen on the team, and I think the camaraderie and overall atmosphere were very positive. That helped us have fun and get results.”
Several freshmen emerged as major contributors, including Lina Haaga, who excelled in the 200-meter and 400-meter races and competed on relay teams that qualified for CIF prelims. Haaga said the welcoming environment helped ease her jitters as a first-year athlete, sharing, “As a freshman, I was initially very nervous. But the upperclassmen were so welcoming and always made sure to make us feel like equals.”
Haaga’s proudest moment came at Prep League Finals, where she won the 400 meters with a personal-best time of 59 seconds. “I remember being so shocked and so proud,” Haaga reflected. “I had not only won the race, but I had PR’d by nearly three seconds.”
Etoka also highlighted freshman Brandon Tso, who transitioned from distance races into hurdling and quickly became one of Poly’s top performers in the event. “He placed second at our Prep League Finals in the 300-meter hurdles, and I’m pretty sure that was only the third or fourth time he had done that,” Etoka stated.
Junior Buddy Hall, who led Poly’s throwing group, defended his Prep League discus title while dramatically improving his marks from last season. “My proudest moment was winning the Prep League discus title again to go back-to-back. I’m also proud of improving from a 104-foot PR last season to a 121-foot, 8-inch PR this season,” Hall said.
Beyond individual events, the girls 4×400 relay team delivered one of the season’s most exciting performances by defeating Flintridge Prep in a close race at League Finals.
After League Finals, the team continued their success into CIF competition. Senior captain Catherine McFarland qualified for CIF prelims in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, long jump and triple jump before advancing to CIF Finals in a number of those events. To cap off her senior season, McFarland competed at the CIF Masters for long jump where she battled against many of Southern California’s top athletes. At this event, she placed third in girls’ long jump, recording an outstanding mark of 17 feet and 6.5 inches.
Throughout the season, McFarland performed as one of Poly’s most accomplished athletes. Etoka shared, “She excelled in the 100, 200, long jump and triple jump.”
With the season now finished, both athletes and coaches emphasized that the team’s success extended beyond results alone. Hall said teammates consistently supported one another throughout meets and practices while Etoka believes the current freshman class will continue developing into future leaders. “They have this go-getter attitude,” Etoka said. “I think that will be very helpful for us.”
With their strong CIF performance this season, Poly’s track and field team appears positioned for continued success next year.
