PODIUM PERFORMANCES PUNCTUATE BIG VIII CHAMPIONSHIPS

The ML King Wolves traveled down to Roosevelt High to contest the Big VIII League Championships and came away securing a massive collection of podium finishes across both the track and field finals.

The Wolves’ speed was on full display in the sprinting and hurdle events, highlighted by a historic performance from Cayden Tillman. Tillman earned a runner-up finish in the 100 Meter VAR with a time of 10.57, a mark that broke the ML King school record. He also secured 2nd in the 200 Meter VAR (21.73), followed closely by teammate Princeton Lewis in 3rd (22.12). Aliyah Rudolph claimed the league title in the Girls 400 Meter VAR with a time of 56.16, while Amaya Lochard followed in 3rd (56.84). Rudolph also secured 2nd in the 200 Meter VAR (25.52), leading a strong Wolves pack that included Lochard in 3rd (25.64) and Sophia Llamas in 4th (25.91). In the hurdles, Zaina Vaughn placed 2nd in the 100 Meter VAR (15.92) and 3rd in the 300 Meter VAR (47.58). The boys’ hurdle crew saw Jacob Cupples take 2nd in the 110m (16.70) and 3rd in the 300m (43.52), supported by Cruz Yslas (3rd, 110m, 17.19) and Caelan Shelton (4th, 300m, 43.82).

ML King dominated the distance and middle-distance events, led by a stellar double-victory from Maximo Zavaleta, who won both the 1600 Meter VAR (4:21.03) and the 3200 Meter VAR (9:15.79). The distance depth continued with Logan Carlson (3rd, 1600m, 4:27.52) and Bradley Quezada, who placed 3rd in the 800m (1:57.39) and 4th in the 3200m (9:44.58). Frank Stewart added a 2nd-place finish in the Boys 800 Meter VAR (1:55.91). For the girls, Jude Abu-Ghazaleh earned 3rd in the 1600m (5:14.59) and 4th in the 3200m (11:40.10), while Natalie Drewitz and Gracie Guzzetta finished 3rd (2:14.08) and 5th (2:16.96) respectively in the 800m.

The Wolves were equally formidable in the field and relay events. ML King swept several podiums, including the Girls Triple Jump VAR where Vanessa Hope took 1st (36-10.50), Imani Barfield 2nd (34-06.00), and Lailani Dial 4th (33-05.50). Hope also took 2nd in the Long Jump VAR (17-09.50), followed by Barfield (4th, 16-07.50) and Hannah Hodge (5th, 15-10.00). Shamar Graham won the Boys Triple Jump VAR (43-08.50) with Robinson Forbes taking 3rd (43-00.50).

Other standout field performances included Reyce Peters winning the High Jump VAR (6-02.00), Justin Coute winning the Discus (166-07.00) and tying for 1st in Shot Put (52-02.00), and Bailey Mann winning the Girls Shot Put VAR (35-01.50) and taking 2nd in Discus (116-11.00). Rounding out the results, Jemeni Mckee took 2nd in Pole Vault (14-06.00), and Allison Kastle took 3rd in the Girls High Jump (4-08.00). The relay teams capped the night with a victory in the Boys 4×400 Meter VAR (3:24.08), while the Boys 4×100 and Girls 4×400 teams both secured 2nd-place finishes.

The Wolves walked away with some amazing performances and personal bests that allowed for multiple athletes to receive a CIF qualification. We are excited to see what this group has in store for the post season!

Justin Coute – Shotput (League Champ), Discus (League Champ)

Bailey Mann – Shotput (League Champ), Discus (2nd)

Jemeni McKee – Pole Vault (2nd)

Reyce Peters – High Jump (League Champ)

Vanessa Hope – Long Jump (2nd place), Triple Jump (League Champ)

Imani Barfield – Triple Jump (2nd place)

Sharmar Graham – Triple Jump (League Champ)

Robinson Forbes – Triple Jump (3rd place)

Daniel Chavez – Shotput (3rd place)

Cayden Tillman – 4×1 (2nd place), 100m (School Record, 2nd place), 200 (2nd place), 4×4 (League Champ)

Princeton Lewis – 4×1 (2nd place), 200 (3rd place), 4×4 (League Champ)

Frank Stewart – 800m (2nd place), 4×800 (#1 in Division 1), 4×400 (League Champ)

Blaise Fincher – 4×1(2nd place), 4×4 (League Champ)

Amaya Lochard – 400 (3rd place), 200 (3rd place), 4×4 (2nd place)

Sophia Llamas – 4×4 (2nd place)

Natalie Drewitz – 800m (3rd place), 4×800(#2 in Division 1), 4×4 (2nd place)

Gracie Guzzetta – 800 (5th place), 4×800 (#2 in Division 1)

Aliyah Rudolph – 400 (League Champ), 200m (2nd place), 4×4 (2nd place)

Abbey Starling – 4×800 (#2 in Division 1)

Jude Abu-Ghazaleh – 1600 (3rd place), 4×800 (#2 in Division 1)

Maximo Zavaleta – 1600m (League Champ), 3200m (League Champ), 4×800 (#1 in Division 1)

Logan Carlson – 1600m (3rd place), 4×800 (#1 in Division 1)

Bradley Quezada – 800m (3rd place), 4×800 (#1 in Division 1)

Zaina Vaughn – 100 hurdles (2nd place), 300m Hurdles (3rd place)

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ML KING TRACK AND FIELD!

Welcome to the Martin Luther King Jr Track and Field Hub! This is your go-to source for all things track and field, from meet schedules and results to athlete spotlights and team updates. Whether you're a runner, jumper, thrower, or a fan cheering from the sidelines, you'll find the latest news, photos, and insights here. Stay connected, stay motivated, and make this season one to remember!

GIRLS WIN BIG VIII TITLE, BOYS JUST MISS IN ROOSEVELT SHOWDOWN

RIVERSIDE: The Wolves welcomed Eleanor Roosevelt High School to King on Tuesday in what turned into more than just another league meet—it was a statement, a culmination, and for the girls, a championship moment.

The varsity girls delivered in dominant fashion, securing an 85.5 – 50.5 victory and officially capping off an undefeated league season to claim the league championship. From the opening events to the final relay, the Wolves competed with confidence, composure, and the kind of edge that defines champions.

The girls defended their 2025 Big VIII title, and the championship is the 176th in school history across all sports. It marks the 11th time for the program to finish the season atop the league.

The distance squad once again set the tone. Natalie Drewitz (2:21.77) and Gracie Guzzetta (2:22.57) went 1-2 in the 800m before returning to take another 1-2 finish in the 1600m, controlling both races from the front. Abbey Starling added a crucial third-place finish in the 800m, completing a dominant showing that created early separation in the team score.

On the track, the sprint group rose to the moment. Amaya Lochard captured the 100m title in 12.28, while Naomi Rudolph and Sophia Llamas added key points across the 100m, 200m, and 400m. The energy carried into the final event, where the 4×400 relay closed out the meet with a win—fittingly putting the finishing touch on a championship performance.

In the field, the Wolves overwhelmed the competition. Vanessa Hope led a sweep in the triple jump with a winning mark of 35-0 and added a second-place finish in the long jump, while the throws squad completely controlled both shot put and discus, sweeping the top three spots in each event behind Bailey Mann. It was total team dominance—and the result was never in doubt.

On the boys side, the Wolves battled in a tight team race, ultimately finishing second 72–64, marking their only loss of the season—and it came against a strong Roosevelt squad. Despite the narrow result, the performance reflected a team that competed relentlessly from start to finish.

Maximo Zavaleta delivered one of the standout performances of the meet, winning the 400m in 50.41 before coming back to dominate the 3200m in 9:27.32. In the sprints, Princeton Lewis put together a huge day, winning the 200m (23.01) and finishing just .001 seconds off the win in the 100m in one of the closest races of the day.

Distance continued to produce, with Logan Carlson winning a tightly contested 1600m in 4:28.39, while Frank Stewart and Bradley Quezada went 2-3 in a fast 800m. The boys closed the meet on a high note, taking a convincing win in the 4×400 relay (3:31.59), showing the fight and depth that defined their season.

At the JV level, the Wolves made it a clean sweep with both teams earning team victories. The JV boys dominated the distance events, sweeping the 1600m and controlling the 800m, led by Smooth Watkins, Andrew Moyo, and Chase Collopy. Watkins also added a 3200m victory to cap an impressive double.

The JV girls controlled the meet from the start, opening with a win in the 4×100 relay and following it up with a sweep of the 100m led by Iayla Carter, who also went on to win the 200m. Emma Castillo added a win in the 800m as the Wolves continued to pile up points across the board.

When it was all said and done, this meet represented more than just results—it showcased the identity of this team. The girls stood alone at the top of the league, undefeated and crowned champions, while the boys proved they are right there among the best, finishing a strong season with just one narrow loss.

With the team titles now completed, the Wolves will battle at the individual level against the best in the league next week as the Big VIII League championships lies ahead!

STATEMENT WEEKEND ON TWO FRONTS

Wolves Take Over MT SAC & IE Championships in Statement Weekend

Splitting squads between the national spotlight of the MT SAC Relays and the highly competitive Inland Empire Championships, King didn’t just show up—they made statements across every level of the program.

Friday night at MT SAC, under the lights and against some of the best competition in the country, the Wolves delivered one of the most memorable distance performances in recent program history.The girls 4x800 relay team of Abbey Starling, Gracie Guzzetta, Jude Abu-Ghazaleh, and Natalie Drewitz rose to the moment in the invitational section, finishing 4th overall while running the 2nd fastest time in school history. Competing on one of the biggest stages in the nation, the Wolves showed they belong among California’s elite. Then came the boys. The 4x800 squad of Bradley Quezada, Frank Stewart, Logan Carlson, and Maximo Zavaleta didn’t just meet expectations—they exceeded them. After breaking the school record just a week prior, they came back and did it again, setting a new school record and winning the invitational section in dominant fashion. The performance now ranks 2nd in the state and 4th in the nation, putting the Wolves firmly in the national conversation.

Saturday at MT SAC brought more history.Maximo Zavaleta continued his incredible season, placing 3rd in the invitational 800m while breaking another school record with a 1:50 performance, solidifying himself as one of the top distance runners in California. Right behind him, Frank Stewart delivered a huge breakthrough, running a 1:54.79 personal best to move into the top 5 all-time in school history.In the field, Jemeni McKee kept climbing toward the top of the record books, clearing a massive 15’9” PR in the pole vault to place 7th overall. The mark strengthens his position at #2 all-time at King, as he continues to chase the school record.On the girls side, Vanessa Hope delivered one of the biggest wins of the entire weekend, taking 1st place in the seeded triple jump with a new personal best of 37-10.5, moving her into 6th all-time in school history.

While records were falling in Walnut, another group of Wolves was making noise at the Inland Empire Championships—and proving that the future is just as strong.The boys 4x800 B team battled to a 4th place finish, continuing a strong showing for the distance crew across both meets.In the distance events, Mason Stehmeier led the charge with a 3rd place finish and a new personal record in the frosh/soph 3200m, while Max Guzzetta continued his consistency with a 2nd place finish in the frosh/soph 1600m.On the track, Princeton Lewis had one of the most impressive all-around performances of the meet, placing 4th in the frosh/soph 400m before coming back to take 2nd in the 200m, showing both speed and versatility.The hurdles and jumps added to the Wolves’ impact. Zaina Vaughn picked up a 4th place finish in the varsity 300m hurdles, while Shamar Graham added another 4th place finish in the varsity triple jump. In the field events, Allison Kastle cleared her way to a 3rd place finish in the frosh/soph high jump, and Ethan Pendleton added a 5th place finish in the frosh/soph pole vault, continuing to build momentum as the season progresses.

From national-level success at MT SAC to rising talent stepping into the spotlight at IE Championships, this weekend was a complete team effort.

Records were broken. Personal bests were earned. Depth was tested—and delivered.The Wolves didn’t just compete—they made it clear that no matter the stage, they are ready for it.