Fri, Mar 3  Friday Night Tiger Invite @ San Jacinto HS (field 1pm, track 2pm)

Sat, Mar 11  Aztec Invitational @ Palm Desert HS (field 8am, track 8:30)

Wed, Mar 15  29 Palms vs. Desert Mirage DAL Dual 3pm

Thu, Mar 30  29 Palms vs. Coachella Valley DAL Dual 3pm

Sat, Apr 1  Flying Tiger Invitational @ San Jacinto HS (field 8am, track 8:30)

Wed, Apr 5  Twentynine Palms at Rancho Mirage DAL Dual 3:15pm

Thu, Apr 13  Twentynine Palms vs. Yucca Valley DAL Dual 3:15pm

Wed, Apr 26  29 Palms vs. Desert Hot Springs DAL Dual 3pm

Thu, May 4  De Anza League Finals @ Desert Mirage (field 4pm, track 5pm)

Team facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/123930771050810/

2016 TENTATIVE Schedule

Wednesday, March 2 - Tri Meet @ Indian Springs HS

Friday, March 4 - Cougar Distance Carnival @ Beaumont HS (pending approval)

Wednesday, March 9 - DAL Dual vs. Rancho Mirage HS  ** Volunteers Needed

Saturday, March 12 - Aztec Invite @ Palm Desert HS

Wednesday, March 16 - DAL Dual @ Shadow Hills HS

Saturday, March 19 - Cougar Classic @ Beaumont HS

Wednesday, March 23 - DAL Dual @ Desert Hot Springs HS

Saturday, April 2 - Flying Tiger Invitational @ San Jacinto HS

Wednesday, April 6 -  DAL Dual vs. Yucca Valley HS  ** Volunteers Needed

Wednesday, April 13 - DAL Dual vs. Big Bear HS  ** Volunteers Needed

Wednesday, April 27 - DAL Dual vs. Desert Mirage  ** Volunteers Needed

Friday, April 29 - Last Chance Distance Carnival @ Ramona HS (pending approval)

Thursday, May 5 - DAL Finals/CIF Qual. Meet @ Rancho Mirage HS

 Saturday, May 14 - CIF Divisional Preliminaries @ Carpinteria HS

Saturday, May 21 - CIF Divisional Finals

Thursday, January 28, Lunchtime (in Gym) Student-Athlete Informational Meeting

Don't grab your lunch, just sign in, and collect your parent packet

Make sure your parents read the packet. 

Those who waited till the last minute to get physicals can get them over the weekend with your doctor or urgent care (call around, there is a place that does them for $40).

Monday, February 1, 2:15pm - Track & Field - FIRST PRACTICE

Make sure you're properly dressed - ATHLETIC clothes.

Wear sweats/sweatshirts/layers.

The weather this time of year is unpredictable.

All athletes should have a gym bag specifically for their track & field gear.

Tuesday, February 2, 2:15pm - Team Meeting

This will be short & sweet.

We're voting in our officers for the rest of this season.

We're voting in our fundraisers for this month.

Thank you to everyone who attended our team celebration yesterday! Especially thank you to all the coaches who I didn't get to get all mushy over yesterday. A very special thanks to all the families who bought a dish!

For those unable to make it, we understand, it was a very hectic part of the season. We missed you all!

Congratulations to everyone who completed the 2015 Track & Field Season... now on to our team honors:

GOLDEN BARS
Coach Katie Chouinard (Jumps): KJ Morton, Freshman
Coach Niles (Sprints): William Ledford or William Ledford, Senior wink emoticon
Coach Wilson (Sprints): Sam Robinson, Senior
Coach Walton (Distance): Synai Salgado, Senior

PLAQUES
Team Valedictorian - Jubilee Bosch
Team Saludatorian - Kamaljot Singh
Most Improved Wildcat - Sam Robinson 
Most Improved Lady Wildcat - Liana Ruiz 
Lady Wildcat Rookie of the Year - Vanessa Walton 
Wildcat Rookie of the Year - KJ Magwood-Morton 
Lady Wildcat MVP - Kerenza Robinson
Wildcat MVP - Ronnie Rondeau
Thrower of the Year - Andrew Cobi Wilson

2015 TEAM CAPTAIN RECOGNITION: Curtis Mohn '15

2016 TEAM CAPTAINS
Seniors - Alex Morrissey '16
Throwers - Andrew Cobi Wilson '16
Female Sprinters - Kathy Lazaro '17
Distance - Spencer Walton '17
Jumps/Male Sprinters - KJ Morton '18

Finally, a special thanks to our managers who worked hard behind the scenes all season and were a great asset to the coaches and to this team. The two of your were amazing all season long and we love you and could not have had a successful season without you:
Lauryn Cabanlit & Kyle Angel Lav!

Congratulations to the Class of 2015, we love you & appreciate you! Have a great & safe summer! Good luck!

Ofa Atu,
Coach Ronda S. Morton

Head Coach & Throws:  Ronda Lockett-Morton, rslmorton@yahoo.com

Assistant Coach (Jumps):  Katie Chouinard, katie_chouinard@morongo.k12.ca.us

Assistant Coach (Relays & Sprints):  Nathan Niles, Nathan_Niles@morongo.k12.ca.us

Assistant Coach (Distance): Chad Walton, chaddad97@hotmail.com

Assistant Coach (Hurdles & Sprints):  M.E. Wilson Sr., warrior1006@hotmail.com (does not prefer to be contacted via email)

Wildcat Track & Field

Congratulations to the Class of 2014, good luck in your future endeavors!

TEAM PLAQUES:

Rookie of the Year:  Makya Bullion '17 & D'Avion Oliver '17

Most Improved:  Ronnie Rondeau '15

Lady Wildcat MVP:  Adriann Miller '16

Wildcat MVP:  Zach Kanlong '14

2015 Team Captains:  Adriann Miller '16,  Curtis Mohn '15

Award Winners & Recognition

2013 Boys' Team Captain - Noel Figueroa - East Central (OK) University

2013 Girls' Team Captain - Stacy Holmes - CSU Dominguez Hills

2014 Team Captain - Zach Kanlong

Golden Bar - Marcus Chestnut - United States Marine Corps

Most Improved - Laveena Benavente - Phoenix College

Outsanding Senior - Jessey Brocar - CSU San Bernardino

Rookie of the Year - David Haney - College of the Desert

Team Valedictorian - Alizabeth Ogdahl - St. Mary's (IN) College

Thrower of the Year - Alan Vander Maas - Ucla

Year 3 Letterwinner - Diante Aiken - Hampton University

Year 3 Letterwinner - Wyatt Giannini - United States Marine Corps

De Anza League Schedule

This is only the DAL schedule.  Additional duals, tri-meets, quads, invites, relays, etc will be posted at a later date.  TPHS Track and Field is ALWAYS in dire need of volunteers to run home meets.  Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact me directly so you can be given an assignment for meet-day.  Tentative Concessions (2),  Long Jump/Triple Jump (3), High Jump (2), Discus (2), Shot Put (2), Clerk of the Course (1), Meet Scorer (1), Announcer (1), Timers (8), Block Crew (3),  Hurdle Crew (THE MORE THE MERRIER).

Wed. Mar. 26th, 3pm, Yucca Valley Trojans at 29 Palms Wildcats

Wed. Apr. 02nd, 3pm, Desert Mirage Rams at 29 Palms Wildcats

Wed. Apr. 09th,  3pm, Big Bear Bears at 29 Palms Wildcats

Wed. Apr. 16th,  3pm, 29 Palms Wildcats at DHS Golden Eagles

Wed. Apr. 30th,  3pm, 29 Palms Wildcats at Shadow Hills Knights

Track and Field Team Celebration:  Wednesday, May 29th, 6:30pm

DESSERT: Nichole, Synai, Madeline, Dominic SANTANELLI, Kamaljot, Taylor, and Alan

FRUIT(S):   Kayla, Aijohn, Beayahn, Kelly, Curtis, Precious

OTHER:  Jubilee, Zach, Alex

RICE:  Laveena, Jessey, Cheryl

NON-WATER BEVERAGES:  Anthony, Noel, Stacy, Caitlyn, Adriann, Keely, Alizabeth

WATER:  Diante, Daneita, Marcus, Dominic, Wyatt, Ishmael, David

Go to the team facebook page for the address to Zach's house or pick up your invitation at lunch today in the TF storage shed next to the boys locker room.  Don't wait till the last minute, get your lunch quickly then come immediately down OR come get your invite first THEN go eat lunch.

Final uniform turn in today (Wed.) at lunch.  No exceptions, the last list will be turned in today at 2pm and you will be billed accordingly.

2013 Track and Field End of Season Celebration

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013 6:00pm

Our team celebration will be May 29th.  Invitations will be given out after Wednesday the 22nd.  This is a potluck style event and you will be given a category to bring items:  rice, dessert, beverages, fruit.  If anyone can think of anything else, please feel free to post information on our FACEBOOK PAGE or email me directly rslmorton@yahoo.com 

We are sending off an amazing senior class and we want to recognize all the underclassman for their contributions and accomplishments this season.  Wear your lettermen's jackets, invitational t-shirts, bring your bathing suits, kimonos, ninja costumes, and anything else to make this thing as festive as possible!  This is a CELEBRATION not just some boring awards dinner.

I WILL BE ACCEPTING UNIFORMS BETWEEN LUNCH UNTIL 2:15 AFTER SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, MAY 23RD!

Please make sure you are there, if you are not there to turn in your uniform you WILL NOT RECEIVE YOUR CELEBRATION INVITATION nor will you get your end of the season AWARDS. 

Aiken and Chestnut Earn All CIF Honors at Southern Section Finals

Diante Aiken and Marcus Chestnut wrapped up their careers as high school athletes on Saturday May 18th at Mt. San Antonio College.  Both returned to CIF Finals earning 18 points for the Wildcats.  Chestnut earned 4th place in the 110 meter high hurdles with a time of 14.99  Aiken scored in two of his three events, high jump and 300m hurdles.  Aikens time of 40.62 placed him 5th overall good for 4 points and another medal.  The top performance of the day was turned in by Marcus Chestnut who brought home a silver medal in the triple jump.  Up next for the Wildcats is their end of the season team celebration held on May 29th!

Thank you to Jubilee Bosch, Stacy Holmes, Jerek Silvas, Hailey Husung, David Haney, Jessey Brocar, Breanna Morrissey, Noel Figueroa, and Alizabeth Ogdahl for going all the way out to Walnut to show support for Diante & Marcus!

Marcus Chesnut and Diante Aiken were both named Wildcats of the Week for their career contibutions to the program!

LIFT YOUR VOICES

MUSD BOARD OF EDUCATION

http://www.morongo.k12.ca.us/cms/page_view?d=x&piid=&vpid=1232369988431
Karalee Hargrove = karaleehargrove@yahoo.com = 760-408-2128
Donna Munoz = dawnartyv@aol.com
Ron Palmer = kcollver46@adelphia.net
Chris Proudfoot = foot0108@gmail.com
J. Edward Will = edwill.rocknroll@gmail.com

MUSD HUMAN RESOURCES

Doug Weller
doug_weller@morongo.k12.ca.us
760-367-9191
extension 4228

DESERT TRAIL

www.desertrail.com

Letters to the Editor

kurts@deserttrail.com

KCDZ FM (z107.7) RADIO

Gary Daigneault
z1077fm@gmail.com

760-366-8471 (Friday call in show)

CIF FINALS TRAVEL INFORMATION

Please bring enough money for the entire day.

We will make a stop close to the stadium for a quick affordable breakfast.

The day is long, bring your own ice water jugs to last, we are NOT taking the large blue team cooler because I doubt any of you are going to carry it.  We are not taking the E-Z up so pack your umbrella, dress for summer, bring sun screen, and wear a hat/visor.

There are many souvenirs available for purchase and awesomely priced discounted track and field apparel as well.  CIF t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats will also be on sale.

Each of you will carry ONE HURDLE to load to the back of the van for hurdle practice/warmup.  They will be locked up (bicycle style) when they aren't being used by TPHS runners.

Finally, once the meet is over, we will head somewhere affordable for dinner.

We will depart from the 29 Palms HS parking lot at 7am.  

Do not be late, or you will be left behind.

Aiken & Chestnut Advance,  Kanlong runs Personal Record, East Central University bound Figueroa completes HS career!

CIF Preliminary Meet - May 11, 2013

The coaches would like to thank the remaining athletes who also finished their seasons for their contributions to the team this year: Laveena Benavente (Senior), Jubilee Bosch (Sophomore), Adriann Miller (Freshman), Taylor Thacker (Sophomore), and Precious Zackery (Senior). 

Wildcats Take First Place at the De Anza League Finals Challenge!

29 Palms' Track and Field teams came away with two victories in Indio against the Shadow Hills Knights

29 Palms Track and Field faced the Big Bear Bears yesterday in a De Anza League matchup. 

The girls battled in a back and forth nailbiter.  The final race of the day saw the girls 1600m relay edge the Bears as Stacy Holmes anchored the victory. Sia Faletagaloa earned two first places in the shot put and discus as the Lady Wildcat throwers swept the Bears and Martini Dogan took first in the long jump, 4x1, and 4x4. The team awaited the results of the triple jump: the final score Bears 60, Lady Wildcats 58.

On the boys side, the Bears jumped out to a 13-1 lead after the first two events. After the 200m run, the score was 33-35 in favor of the Bears. After the first place victory by Noel Figueroa in the 3200m the Cats started to pour points in.  Freshmen Alonzo Tate and Dominic Santanelli helped the jump squad sweep both events. Jessey Brocar, Diante Aiken, and Marcus Chestnut swept both the 110m high hurdles and the 300m hurdles. The final score was Bears 47, Wildcats 80.

Oustanding seniors Marcus Chestnut & Stacy Holmes were named Wildcats of the Week for their hardwork, dedication, and meet performances!

Vander Maas Wins Discus in Norco

29 Palms track and field team traveled to Norco high school for a relays meet.   The Chet Nicholson Relays is a large school event that consists of opponents like Vista Murrieta to name a few.  

Zach Kanlong earned first place in the mile and Alan Vander Maas won the discus. On the girls side Sia Faletagaloa (fall eh tong ah low ah) earned two medals for her efforts in the shot put and discus.

Up next, the Wildcats will travel to Desert Mirage for their first league meet of the season on Wednesday.

Jessy Brocar and Seia Sitagata were named Wildcats of the Week!

Haney Wins Four Events

The 29 Palms HS Wildcats traveled far to Anza to face off against Division 4 foe Hamilton HS.

The girls tried to avenge last years 1 point defeat on the mountain.  The girls battled but lost 78-48.  The day was not without solid performances.  

 Stacy Holmes won 3 of her events with victories in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x4 relay.

Laveena Benavente, Martini Dogan, and Alex Morrissey were all multi event point scorers for the ladies as well.

 The boys feasted on a dominating victory.  David Haney also dominated with 4 first place performances in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x1 relay.

Zach Kanlong led the distance crew to a 1600m sweep and Wyatt Giannini lead the 800m sweep. The distance team scored 26 of the 27 points.

Alan Vander Maas continued his victorious discus streak. The boys swept the discus throw.

Marcus Chestnut also reigned supreme with a 41 foot jump in the triple.

Alex Morrissey and David Haney were named Wildcats of the Week for their efforts!

Team Celebration Says Goodbye to Four Year Seniors and Welcomes Class of 2013!

Team Valedictorian & Lady Wildcat MVP, Jeff Burnett Award Recipient ((also 2011 De Anza League MVP)): Sara Roberts (Fullerton)

Golden Bar, Jeff Burnett Award Recipient: Lenore Roberts

Rookie of the Year, Jack Sunderland Award Recipient: Taylor Thacker

Jeff Burnett Award Recipient: Colton Byers

Martha Antoinette Taufa'asau Barber Memorial Scholarship (Polynesian & Pacific Islander Student-Athletes):  Jacque Morrissey

Jack Sunderland Award Recipient: Curtis Mohn

Wildcat MVP, De Anza League MVP, 2 Time Wildcat of the Week: Diante Aiken

Top Fundraiser: Anthony Arias

Golden Bar Recipient: Zach Kanlong

2011 Team Captain Recognition:

Junior, Stacy Holmes

Junior, Wyatt Giannini

Thank you to Clay & Pam for being wonderful hosts!  

Wildcats earn a 17th Place in CIF

Three Wildcats Head to CIF Finals

Track and Field traveled Carpinteria to compete in the CIF Preliminary meet.  Lady Wildcat of the Week is Ashlee Nixon and Seth Deitz was named Wildcat of the Week. Diante Aiken, Marcus Chestnut, and Alan Vander Maas all qualified to CIF Finals this Saturday!

Sixteen wildcats will travel to Carpinteria next Saturday to compete in the CIF Division IV preliminary meet

Track and Field competed in the De Anza League Finals last week.  Oustanding performances were turned in by seniors Ashlee Nixon 1600m relay), Lenore Roberts (1600m relay), and Jared Bowling (shot put).  

Sara Roberts, Marcus Chestnut, Alan Vander Maas, and Diante Aiken all claimed DAL championship crowns.  Wildcats of the Week are Jacque Morrissey (a two event qualifier) and Marcus Chestnut (a four event qualifier).  Diante Aiken was named a 2012 De Anza League MVP.

29 Palms track and field traveled to Indio for a double dual last week, to face Yucca Valley and Shadow Hills

Athletes Recognized for Contributions to 2011 Season

WILDCAT MVP - Diante Aiken

LADY WILDCAT MVP - Sara Roberts

OUSTANDING SENIOR - Billy Smith

THROWER OF THE YEAR - Alan Vander Maas

MOST IMPROVED ATHLETE - Martini Dogan

JOG-A-THON 1ST PLACE - Anthony Arias

GOLDEN BAR RECIPIENTS -
Noel Figueroa (2nd bar)
Stacy Holmes
Lenore Roberts
Anthony Arias


ALL DE ANZA LEAGUE ATHLETES

DE ANZA LEAGUE MVP
Sara Roberts, Distance

CHAMPIONS
Marcus Chestnut, Triple Jump
Alan Vander Maas, Discus Throw

2nd Team
Diante Aiken
Dromynique Chestnut
Jamal Lowe
Steven Reed
Billy Smith
Ashlee Nixon

Honorable Mention
Allison Bass
Martini Dogan
Stacy Holmes
Lenore Roberts



WILDCAT OF THE WEEK:

Wildcats Honor Golden Bar Recipients

Golden Bar: Most Oustanding Hard Worker

Lady Wildcat = Lenore Roberts

Wildat = Joe Kappus

Golden Bar: Most Improved

Lady Wildcat = Breanna Morrissey

Wildcat = Noel Figueroa

WILDCATS CLAW TROJANS FOR 35TH DE ANZA LEAGUE TITLE

It wasn't pretty, nor smooth, nor graceful, and at times it was downright ugly. At the end of the day it was one thing, a victory.

For the first time in 9 years the Wildcat boys track and field team was able to take home the De Anza League championship. Home to a place where it had been more than 20 times.

In a season full of peaks and valleys the meet ran much the same way. The Wildcats started out by losing the first race in a blowout fashion. The Trojan 4x1 team dominated out of the gate and gave senior Jared Demoss no chance for a comeback victory in the back stretch.

Over the course of the day the Trojans and Wildcats battled back and forth. If we won first, they won second and third, and vice versa. Each event played out like a chess match, an extra point here and there for both sides.

In the 1600 meters Isaac Zapata squeezed in a second place finish while running injured. In the 800m the distance corps ran another two man finish with points earned by seniors Caldwell Perrine and surprise 3rd place Alex Boice who earned valuable points by running a strategically masterful race against the Trojans.

Elvis Percy PR'd in the shot put with a heave of 46 feet and despite a down day at discus it was enough to win the coveted 5 points with a toss of 125 feet. He beat out his best friend and former Wildcat athlete, Trojan senior, Daniel Evans by a couple of feet.

Towards the end of the meet, after the field events results came in the Wildcats were holding on to a slim lead with only 3 events left.

Junior newcomer, Zach Zeitz garnered cheers from the Wildcat crowd with a valiant 5-2 effort to have the bar moved up to 5-4 and remain in contention for much needed points. He wasn't able to clear the height, but still earned the coveted 3 points, with Billy Smith earning 1 for his third place finish.

Up next once again was captain Isaac Zapata with a courageous 3200m effort. He remained in the middle of two Trojan runners throughout the race only to come up short for first place in the last 200m of the race. However he earned valuable points to keep the Wildcats ahead by 2 points heading into the final race.

The 4x4 relay team consisted of 4 seniors, first leg Keith Ross, second leg Gabe Tafoya, third leg Caldwell Perrine, and anchor Jared Demoss. As each athlete performed wonderfully throughout the day in their respective individual events, it came down to this single 4 man effort. The title hopes rested on these legs.

Out of the gate Yucca went with one of their stronger runners to give the Trojans a 40 meter lead. Gabe Tafoya cut the lead quickly meeting up with the Yucca runner on the second, passing him, then giving gave Caldwell Perrine a 20 meter lead. At this point Caldwell came scorching out of the gate maintaining the lead and finally passing the baton to Jared Demoss. "White Lightning" flew out of the first turn and began to hit a wall on the straight away as the Yucca runner began to creep up intensely. Finally as Demoss hit the final turn, his hunting ground, he maintained his lead and cruised in to claim himself, the relay, and the Wilddcats
victorious!

The 29 Palms crowd began to cheer but awaited for the official results before the real celebration started, the announcer made it official: Wildcats 66, Trojans 61.

The Lady Wildcats competed earnestly throughout the meet but in the end came up short. The Trojans had too many horses against our 15 women. There were entire events where the Lady Wildcats didn't have a single competitor and in a dual that makes all the difference. Despite that, the Lady Wildcats finished their season with a respectable 2nd place finish in league, better than the third place from last season.

Outstanding Lady Wildcats were Monica Tree and Shontae Brown, both distance runners who truly forced the hand of Trojan runners making them run their race.

Other meet highlights:
Senior, Jared Demoss, double 1st place, 100m, 200m
Freshman Nofo Fe'ao, double PR, LJ (16-5) and TJ (34-6)
Senior, Stephanie Orozco, in her 2nd to last performance DT PR (57-5).
Senior, Keith Ross, double 1st place, 110HH and 300IH
Senior, Gabe Tafoya, double second place, 110HH and 300IH 2nd places


Coach Comments:
We got points from unlikely sources and it feels good to have kids step up when others stumble. A meet like this really reminds us that track and field really is a team sport. At this meet we were as close a team we've ever been this year and it's a nice feeling. It reminds me of the good old days.

At this point I'd like for Elvis to be further along. Maybe I am not pushing him enough. This weekend will help me gauge his progress and how we will approach training for league finals.

Jared Demoss asked me for words of encouragement right before the 4x4 race. A kid like that doesn't need words. Once I told him that I think he realized that at this point words don't do anything. He knows what needs to be done and they dig down deep and just do it. You either will or you won't. He decided that he would. I felt complete confidence that our relay team would bring it home for us because they simply had no other option. For seniors, there is no next year.

Our girls have made strides this year and if we can keep this group together and just make a couple of additions so we can have a few more girls doing field it will help out tremendously. They did all they could considering we started the meet automatically down 27 points.