Track marks

The Top 8 Meet gave a small indication of what may lie in store in five weeks at the Central Coast Section finals.
 But it didn't paint a full picture.
 Not everyone that is ranked in the top 8 in the CCS showed up.
 And things will look different in five weeks.
 Yet, as we approach the final leg of the season, it's apparent that Chase Pacheco is the class of the CCS in the long jump with a season best of 23-6 1/2.
 The Palma senior is 12 1/2 inches ahead of his nearest competitor. That distance will likely close. At the same time, Pacheco hasn't jumped his best yet.
 Emerging as a state meet contender for the Chieftains in the 300 intermediate hurdles is Devin Hinson, who blistered the track last week in 38.92.
 Having battled injuries most of the spring, the senior ran nearly a second faster than his career best to catapult himself into second in the CCS.
 Mario Gonzalez continues to erase the demons of last year, having uncorked the discus 167-4 for North Salinas, the second-best mark in the CCS. He's also ranked fourth in the shot put (52-8 1/2).
 While Monterey distance ace James Welsh continues to drop time in the 1,600 (4:20.21), the Top 8 1,600 champion will likely have to dip under 4:20.0 to sneak into the top 3 at the CCS finals.
 Welsh is currently ranked fourth, as is Pacheco and Carmel's Nick Lombardi in the high jump (6-6). The top three in each event advance to the state championships.
 Athletes can reach the state meet if they attain a state qualifying mark. For example, if Pacheco and Lombardi both clear 6-5 at the CCS finals, they would advance, regardless of placement.
While marks are expected to get better, North County's Tori Teraji has taken over the CCS lead in the discus at 119-9.
 Despite a personal best of 56.50 in capturing the Top 8 400 last week, freshman Mikayla Revera remains third in the section. The Santa Catalina sprinter is also ranked sixth in the 100 (12.40) and 200 (25.58).