Jordan, Morgan end season at state preliminaries

Ramona High School juniors Tyler Jordan and Ryan Morgan reached the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state track and field meet June 5-6 in Clovis, but they were unable to advance past the preliminaries.

Morgan finished fifth in his heat and 18th overall in the boys 400-meter run with a time of 49.29 seconds. Jordan cleared 6’4” in the boys high jump to share 18th place.

The top nine times and distances in each event at the preliminaries advanced to the state finals.

“They did all right,” said Coach Bob Verhoest.

The ninth-place time in the 400-meter preliminaries was 48.55 seconds. The top six finishers in the state finals receive medals, and the final medal position was achieved with a 48.05-second performance.

“It would have been a tough day anyway,” Verhoest said.

Jordan cleared 6’4” on his first attempt.

“He looked pretty good doing it, but he couldn’t get over 6’6”,” Verhoest said.

The criteria of missed jumps at lower distances was used to determine which jumpers clearing 6’6” advanced to the finals.

“I’m glad he went anyway,” Verhoest said. “He got to see what it’s all about.”

Morgan also competed in last year’s state preliminaries.

Jordan made his debut at the state meet.

“It was nice for them to get there and see what they had to do to get better,” Verhoest said.