Athletics

A Record— Setting Season

Delphian athletes set the bar higher

Layered in determination (and sweaters) Delphian’s track and field team began their season with a bang! The drizzly spring cold was no match for these athletes who set out to find their strengths and push their capabilities to new heights. As the weather heated up, so did the competition. Each athlete found their stride and set their sights on getting just a little better, higher, and faster than the time before.

Back Row L-R: Rei Yamazaki, London Whitworth, Lucas Curry, Sage Daniells, Brandon Lidgard, Portia Binford, Imani Muhammad, Ava Raphael, Dakota Mincey, Neal Chinodakufa Front L-R: Zahar Rutman, Memo Cervantes, Emiliano Chaparro, Sanjana Garlapati, Coco Rose-Coates Below L: Sanjana Garlapati Below R: Neal Chinodakufa

Head coach Brandon Lidgard was both pleased and surprised with the progress, accomplishments, and new talent from his team this season. Though there were many veterans on the roster whom Brandon could rely on, there was some new talent that leapt up this season.

More than one athlete found their stride. Lucas Curry came out of nowhere cutting his 400-meter time down from over a minute to 54.00. Noteworthy competitor London Whitworth expanded his range from just the 3000-meter to including the shorter 1500 and 800-meter sprints where he also did quite well.

Sanjana Garlapati

Neal Chinodakufa

Rowan Bennett

After not being able to compete in the state competition last year, Rei Yamazaki had some unfinished business to attend to. Rei now holds Delphian’s 3000-meter record, beating out alumnus Yamo Morales Nacif who has held it since 2018. Rei was also named boys Track Athlete of the Year for the district.

Moving up from seventh place last season and gaining the reputation from spectators of being “the one to look out for,” Portia Binford found herself at the front of the pack in the 300-meter hurdle race as well as the 100-meter dash where she now holds the Delphian record in each event. To top it all off, Portia was also named the girls Track Athlete of the Year for the district.

Rei Yamazaki, Brandon Lidgard and Portia Binford with athlete and coach of the year awards

Another notable, well-deserved award received at districts was Coach of the Year for Brandon Lidgard as was voted by our OSAA district. When this award was presented to Brandon at the district track meet awards ceremony, he was rushed by his cheering team on the field.

To top it all off, Delphian sent fourteen athletes to the state championship meet, which was held at the University of Oregon’s stadium, Hayward Field in Eugene. At the state track meet, Portia Binford took home 1st place in the girls 100-meter dash. Lucas Curry and Portia both came in second respectively in the boys and girls 300-meter hurdle races. Lucas also took 4th place in the 400-meter race and was a part of the boys 4x400-meter relay team alongside Memo Cervantes, Sage Daniells and Emiliano Chaparro, that took 4th place.

Brandon ended his team’s season by turning to his team after their team photo on Hayward Field and saying,

I want you to look around. I want you to look over at what’s happening over there [gesturing to where the team trophies were being handed out in another part of the stadium], and I want you all to decide that’s where we’re going to be next year.

That’s our goal next year: to not only get enough athletes there but also then get more placements at state to get a team trophy.

Dakota Mincey

Rei Yamazaki and London Whitworth

Lucas Curry

Sarah Kasprzyk

New Records

Girls 100-meter hurdles

Portia Binford with a time of 16.95

Girls 300-meter hurdles

Portia Binford with a time of 48.84

Girls Triple Jump

Sarah Kasprzyk measuring 32’ 1”

Girls 4x400-meter relay

Sanjana Garlapati, Ava Raphael, Coco Rose-Coates and Taeyah Saechao with a time of 4:30.61

Boys 3000-meter

Rei Yamazaki with a time of 9:54:98

Girls Javelin

Sarah Kasprzyk measuring 99' 10"

L-R: Zahar Rutman, Memo Cervantes, Brandon Lidgard, Neal Chinodakufa and Minghan Cui