A few weeks ago, on May 17, the Culver City High School boys track and field team won their first CIF title when they captured the Division 2 championship by scoring 51 points against some of the best talent in the state. On Friday, May 30, the Culver City High School girls’ softball team will try to win the school’s first CIF softball title.
The softball team will travel to Irvine to face Rancho Mirage at Deanna Manning Stadium at 1 p.m. while the boys’ track team will travel to Buchannan high school in Clovis to compete in the California state track and field championships on Friday, May 30, and Saturday May 31. The Centaurs continue to produce some of the best high school athletic teams in the state.
“It feels great to see our team at the beginning of the season and to see them now, it’s amazing,” said Culver City‘s first year softball head coach Carlos Chavez last Tuesday. “I am really proud of the girls. They have come together very well, and they play for one another. They play unselfish softball. They have done what the coaches have ask them to do.” His assistant coaches are Kaile Nakao and Brandy Peacock.
“This is my first year as a head coach so this is far beyond what I thought we would do'” said Chavez. “One day the girls will be able to sit back and cherish their journey,” said Chavez. “Not everybody gets to do this. It’s been a total team effort.”
One player that is the heart and soul of the Lady Centaur softball team is senior infielder Xochil Romero. She suffered what could have been a season ending injury to her thumb a few months ago but through her faith and hard work Romero is back on the field playing softball. “I feel like I can appreciate it that much more after being gone for so long,” said Romero during a break in practice last Tuesday. “It’s fun and it’s super exciting. I love playing softball and I love playing with these girls. I wanted to come back and compete again. I am grateful to everyone. All of this could not be possible without God, my family, my teammates and my coaches.” Win or lose on Friday the Centaurs have automatically qualified for the State Regionals.
The boys track team will send six runners to state. Leading the way for Culver City is the 4X400 meter relay and the 4X100 meter relay. The Centaurs also qualified runners in the 100-meter hurdles, 300- meter hurdles and 400 meters.
Centaur hurdle specialist Kingston Waring turned in an elite performance in the state qualifying Masters Meet at Moorpark high school last Saturday when he ran the fastest qualifying time in the CIF southern Section when he clocked 36.91 in the 300-meter hurdles. He also qualified in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.45. Twin brothers Dontay (48.24) and Duaine (48.31) Mayrant qualified in the 400 meters.
The runners on the 4X100 meter relay are Zytel Boyd, Dontay Mayrant, Duaine Mayrant and Dominic Bastiste. They clocked 41.77. Competing on the 4X400 meter relay will be Dontay Mayrant, Waring, Jonah Givens and Duaine Mayrant. Their time was 3:14.80.
“The six young men that are going to state have really stepped up to the challenge,” said co-head coach Jahmal Wright in a telephone interview last Monday. “To have both relay teams qualify for state is special. I think this is the first time Culver City‘s 4X100 team has made it to state. To see Kingston overcome injuries this season and do what he has been able to do is also very special. We just want to represent the school and the city of Culver City at the state meet.”
Culver City‘s other co-head coach LaShinda Demus is hoping experience will help the Centaurs this weekend. “I think because we have been there before our team will be mentally ready to compete. This week we are just sharping up. We are looking forward to competing at a high level this weekend.”
Whatever happens this weekend Culver City High School‘s name will be heard all over the state of California.