South Pasadena Sports Notebook: Record Setting Weekend For Track

As one of the older high schools in California, South Pasadena has a long history. And that history contains many track and field records that have stood for decades.

Saturday in the Cougar Classic as Azusa Pacific University one of those changed as senior Mayan Schexnayder leaped 45 feet, 5 inches in the triple jump to break a school record that had stood for 61 years.

Schexnayder, who finished in first place, was one of three Tigers to break the 40-foot barrier in the triple jump as Jonathan Lee (41-2 ¼) and Sean Nang (40-9 ¼) finished in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Tigers had a number of solid performances at the meet.

Among them included Matthew Nelson and Nang tying for third in the boys high jump having both cleared 6 feet.

Nang was also second in the long jump going 20-4.

Andrew Hall was fifth in the shot put with a best of 41-7.

Sophomore Paul Messana finished 12^th in the varsity 1,600 meters in 4 minutes and 37.18 seconds.

Amongst the girls, the top marks were turned in by freshman Kamia Rodil-Wilis, who competed at the frosh-soph level.

She finished second in the 200 meters in 26.16 and won the 400 in 1:00.14.

Kealia Hudson won the frosh-soph triple jump by going 33-1 ¼.

Elaine Horng took seventh in both the girls’ varsity long and triple jump events going 16-1 and 32-9 ¾, respectively.

Kellyna Fox was fourth in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles in 51.23.

Distance star Sam Pons did not compete in the meet.

Softball Improves

The Tigers picked up their first win of the season on Saturday in the Duarte Tournament by defeating Marshall (Pasadena) 12-2.

Laura Parada and Erika Rodriguez each hit home runs for the Tigers. Marissa Baca got the job done on the mound.

Parada, Rodriguez, Laura Elbaum and Cynthia Ream-Garcia all hit over .500 in the tournament.

Monday the Tigers fell 4-3 in their opening game of the Arroyo Tournament to Rowland High.

The Tigers are now 1-4. 

Looks Can Be Deceiving

The South Pasadena boys volleyball team has started with a 3-11 record. While that may not look real good on paper, the Tigers’ list of opponents explains the record.

Coach Todd Terzian’s team played a number of quality opponents in the recent North Torrance/Redondo Beach and Arcadia tournaments.

Among the opponents the Tigers have faced so far include Warren, ranked No. 2 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 poll, and Burroughs (Burbank), ranked No. 3 in Division 3. The Tigers own a victory over La Salle, which is ranked No. 8 in the CIF Southern Section Division 4 poll.

Tuesday the Tigers fell to Arcadia, ranked No. 7 in Division 3, 25-23, 25-28, 25-19.

“It's been a lot of fun but exhausting for varsity players the last 10 days,” South Pasadena coach Todd Terzian said. “I feel that we'll be ready for Rio Hondo League play which begins in two weeks. I like the growth, positive attitude and that the guys are playing very hard on every point against top competition.” 

Thomas Adamson leads the team with 95 kills. Nathan Lee leads the way in digs with 144 and Gabe Kahn has 175 assists.

Baseball Back at .500

The Tigers baseball team is 3-3 after Tuesday’s 5-1 win at Glendale. After opening the season with a 7-6 win over Arcadia, South Pasadena lost three in a row to Pasadena Poly, Pasadena and Sierra Vista. Saturday the Tigers defeated Bosco Tech 7-1. Brendan Perry went 2-for-2 with a run batted in for the Tigers. Derek Eisen drove in three runs. Conor Bednarski and Joey Harmon each had a pair of hits.