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South Fork High’s scheduled prom night on Saturday, April 26, caused Cub track coach Tom Olsen to bring an abbreviated squad to the Viking Classic in Santa Rosa, traditionally a favorite meet for SFHS teams.

While the number of attending athletes from SFHS was limited, the performances of Cub senior aces Michael Radenbaugh and Hank Carl were memorable. The boys finished second and third in the 1600-meter run, respectively, both in personal record times, in one of the day’s most scintillating races.

Radenbaugh’s time of 4:25.24 moves him past Carl on the SFHS Top Ten List of all-time records, to number two, while Rocket’s personal record of 4:25.68 has him ensconced in the #3 spot.

The school record-holder, Rio Anderson (’91), ran 4:22.1 that year, en route to the California State Finals. Anderson also was All-State in cross-country in 1991.

The winner of the Viking 1600 was Skylar Thomas of Mendocino in 4:24.10. Thomas had a previous best in the event of only 4:33. He then came back to place second in another great race, the 3200, where he was edged by Sterling Lockhart of Petaluma, a 4:19 miler.

Radenbaugh and Carl took turns

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passing each other during the race, but the former held on during the stretch sprint to beat his teammate and buddy Carl by less than a half second.

”They both ran a great race,” said coach Olsen. “It was also a valuable experience for them to run in a crowded field, against good competition. It should help them as the championship track season begins this week.”

The first leg of that championship stretch run begins this Friday, May 2, at Eureka High, 4 p.m., when the Little Five Conference meet occurs. South Fork’s boys have won seven straight league titles, the girls 11 titles in the past 12 years.

In an admittedly weak league for track and field, both SFHS squads are favorites to win the meet. Most importantly, the top four finishers in each event move on to the NCS “Class A” finals in two weeks. SFHS should have numerous qualifiers for NCS from both teams.

The NCS meet, long held at convenient and sunny Mendocino College, will this year be at San Mateo Junior College on Saturday, May 17. The meet will start at 11 a.m. Fans should note the venue change from last year’s Diablo Valley College in Concord.

In between the league meet and the Class “A” meet will be the county finals on May 9, 5 p.m. at Eureka High.

Other participants at the Viking Classic included the boys’ 4x100 relay team of Bret Manus, Nick Anderson, Jazper Strange, and Austin Clary, who ran a 46.6 clocking, just off their personal best. Freshman pole-vaulter Gabe Miclette vaulted 8-6.

In an H-DNL meet also last week, Cub discus throwers Casey Finch and Josh “Boo” McDonald made breakthroughs in their event, with the junior Finch exceeding 136 feet (#7 all-time at SFHS) and McDonald going over 133. Both will be contenders for the county title next week, an event “Boo” won last year at 137 feet.