Eagles capture league track title

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 11:59 p.m.

The Boulder City High boys track team has long been one of the state's top programs.

They've continued the tradition this spring.

The Eagles captured the 3A Southern League title on May 16 in Overton at Moapa Valley High, riding first place finishes in five of 18 events for a meet best 204 points while Faith Lutheran and Virgin Valley tied for second with 174.50 points.

The Eagles, which also had five second place finishes, qualified 14 athletes for 3A state tournament, May 22 and 23 at Del Sol High in Las Vegas.

The defending state champion Eagles will be aiming for their 17th state title and third crown in five years. It's an impressive streak that dates back to the 1950s, when Boulder City won the all-classification title in 1950 and '51.

Las Vegas High has a state-best 20 championships, but hasn't won since 1992.

Boulder City coach Joe Ringen doesn't rely on the program's tradition to motivate his athletes, but knows they understand the significance of adding to the legacy.

"They see it everyday," Ringen said, pointing to a list of past state championship teams.

If the Eagles score like they did during the league meet, Ringen figures they will be in contention for the title.

Senior Jake Phillips won the 800 in 2 minutes, .71 seconds and is striving to finish under two minutes at state in defending his individual title. He is also the anchor in the defending state champion 3,200 meter relay team that captured the league title in 8:42.18.

Long distance runner Matt Lundgren won the 3,200 at the league meet in 9:54.86 and took second in the 1,600 at 4:52.84. Danny Raddant, who was also part of two championship-winning relay teams, won the 1,600 in 4:47.44.

James Lucas was second at 55.08 in the 400 and was part of the 3,200 and 1,600 championship relay teams. Alex Dillon was second in the pole at 13 feet and second in the long jump at 18-7.

Boulder City's girls, also the defending state champions, took third out of four teams in the 3A Southern League meet with 126 points.

Cally Stanton won a pair of events for the Eagles, capturing the 100 hurdles in 17.96 and the 300 hurdles in 49.82. She knocked nearly four seconds off her time in the 300 and is peaking at the right part of the season.

Boulder City, which has struggled with numbers all season, will have a bigger impact individually at state where Stanton in the hurdles, Ashley Vince in the discus and Sara Richner in the distance events should contend for titles.

Vince won the discus at the league meet with a throw of 111-7 and Richner took second in the 3,200 at 13:16.96.

Vince also took third in two events at the league meet — the 400 at 1:03.22 and the 200 at 27.86.

Baseball bows out against Virgin Valley

The Boulder City High baseball team saw it season end on May 16 in Mesquite against Virgin Valley High.

The Eagles, however, didn't go down without a fight.

After finishing last in the 3A Southern League during the regular season, Boulder City put a scare into league champion Virgin Valley in the best-of-3 playoff series. Virgin Valley needed three games to eliminate the Eagles and earn a spot in this week's 3A state tournament.

Boulder City dropped the first game 7-2 on May 15, but rallied for a 7-6 victory the following morning in an elimination game to force the third game later that day. Virgin Valley prevailed 7-2 to advance.

"I told them (after losing the first game) that I wasn't coming back to coach in just one game," Boulder City coach Bill Strachan said.

Cole Stubitz had a home run and four RBIs in the second game and Adam Eudy pitched a complete game for the win.

Golfer qualifies for state

Boulder City High senior Ryan Roundtree fired a 7-over-par 79 on May 13 during the 3A Southern League golf tournament at CasaBlanca Golf Club in Mesquite to take third and earn a spot at this week's state tournament. Roundtree trailed medalist Yuki Kato of Faith Lutheran by nine strokes.

Boulder City took fourth as a team with a two-day 442 — 35 strokes behind champion Faith Lutheran. The Eagles didn't qualify for the state tournament, which was played May 18 and 19.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.