Local roundup: April 20

PREP TRACK

Hawks win Arizona City Relays

The Gila Ridge track team won both the boys and girls portions of the inaugural Arizona City Relays on Wednesday at Carver Park.

Curt Weber, event coordinator and Yuma High track coach said the meet was a rousing success, as it provided the local teams a change of pace before the home stretch of the season and state meets.

“It was a beautiful day, great venue down there at Carver,” Weber said. “Everybody likes the neighborhood atmosphere of it and we had great cooperation among the track coaches. It all came together for a good meet today.”

The Gila Ridge boys claimed a slim victory with 80 points, topping second-place Cibola (74) and third-place Yuma High (59). Rounding out the rankings were fourth-place Kofa (55), Yuma Catholic (39), San Luis (21) and San Pasqual (20). Things weren’t as close on the girls’ side, as Gila Ridge (81) had some breathing room over Kofa and Cibola, who tied for second with 64 points. Yuma High (51) finished fourth, ahead of Yuma Catholic (41), San Luis (26) and San Pasqual (8).

“Everybody liked it,” Weber said. “At this point, the theme is to have some fun and run some different races and get ready for the state grind.”

Gila Ridge fared especially well in the field events, in which the top three marks for each school were combined for one overall score. The Hawks won each the high jump, shot put, discus and triple jump events, while Yuma High won the long jump. But the relay events, which also featured some unorthodox distances, were dominated by Cibola. The Raiders won the 800-meter, 1600, 3200, distance medley and mile medley relay events, with Dewayne Dukes taking part in four of the wins. Gila Ridge’s quartet of Jared Philpot, Kenny Brown, Ryan Hinrichs and Kelvin Harold secured the Hawks’ only relay victory in the 400.

Destiny Dilworth shined for the Gila Ridge girls, winning the high jump and long jump to lift the Hawks to team victories in the events, while also taking part in the first-place 400 relay. Gila Ridge also won the girls discus, with Kofa winning the shot put and Yuma High winning the triple jump. Kofa won the 800 girls relay, the 1600, and sprint medley, with Paige Perry taking part in all three. Cibola won the 3200 and the distance medley.

Weber said he received positive feedback about the event from his fellow coaches, saying the Arizona City Relays could become an annual event. Not bad for something that was thrown together in a matter of days.

“It’s ultimately everybody pulling together for the benefit of the kids,” Weber said. “Everybody realizes that and when that happens, it’s a good experience.”

PREP BASEBALL

YC wins sixth straight

The Yuma Catholic baseball team won its sixth game in a row Wednesday, topping Tonopah Valley 10-0.

Brendon Evans pitched all five innings for the Shamrocks (15-5 overall, 11-2 AIA), allowing one hit and striking out four. He added three RBIs at the plate, and Wade McBride hit a three-run home run.