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Track Athletic Records Shattered

Juniors Alessandra Gonzales and Daniel De La Torre entered the 2012 Track season with the specific goals of breaking some very long standing school records.  Conversely freshman Dionna Williams didn’t know what to expect.  Alessandra’s goal was to break the 18 year old record of Erika Williams ‘98 of 12.51 (tied by Asha Blades in ’09) in the 100 Meter Dash and for Daniel the 32 year old mark in the 1600 of the legendary Mark Ruelas of 4:14.4 set in 1980.



Upon her arrival at La Salle Alessandra was an unexpected discovery for the coaches.  She arrived with virtually no prior credentials as her prior elementary/junior high school did not participate in CYO athletics.  From the very first meet it was evident that Alessandra had the talent to be exceptional for La Salle track and field.   Her hard work and dedication would culminate in her equaling the 100 Meter record during the 2012 Del Rey League Preliminaries at Citrus College and finally breaking the record with a mark of 12.49 in the Finals 2 days later.  Alessandra was elated to have accomplished her goal.  When informed that her record had been broken, former record holder Erika Williams stated, “It was only recently I learned that I still had the record, but I offer congratulations to the new ‘fastest girl’ at La Salle!”  She also wanted to know if we still ‘torture’ our sprinters with the 800 breakdown.  The answer would be ‘of course’. Alessandra’s future goal is to run under 12 seconds and under 25 during the 2013 track season.  With proper interval, strength and endurance training the Coaches feel she should achieve these goals. 





Freshman Dionna Williams had no expectation of breaking a record on Saturday; she was only trying to PR and equal the existing record of 4’10”.  Saturday’s competition was only Dionna’s 7th meet high jumping and her PR was only 4’8”, which she equaled in 4 meets.  After jumping her PR at 4’10” Saturday Dionna wasn’t feeling confident but the support of her teammates nearby boosted her confidence with a ‘what do I have to lose’ attitude she jumped the new record and afterward, shocked and excited, she shouted her signature, “Yes!!”   The 5 foot clearance qualified Dionna for the Division IV Finals, was a freshmen record jump and made her #2 on the High Jump Top Ten.  Former freshmen record holder Vanessa Casillas-Caulfield ’02 states, “for high jumpers 5 feet is a mental barrier.  It’s a matter of consistent mechanics at the higher heights.  Her potential is unlimited coupled with dedication, hard work and commitment!’  Dionna’s high jump coach, Kjersti Housman-Holyfield ’04 feels that Dionna will have a tremendous impact on the team with her competitive nature and this will influence her teammates to excel.

Daniel’s route to the 1600 Meter record had many twists and turns including injury, rehab from injury, and being part of a relay that set a school sprint medley relay record.   Daniel’s training at a high level has resulted in several nagging injuries (strained calf, inflammations in various foot ligaments, etc.) but perseverance is the key to success after missing most of the 2010 and 2011 track seasons due to injury.  One of Daniel’s 1st races in his return to track competition was participating in breaking the former sprint medley relay (200, 200, 400, 800) record of 3:52.41 set in 1995.  That team consisted of Cory Charles ‘95, Rob Davidson ‘97, Matt Garcia ‘97 and Gabe Magni ‘97.  Daniel (running the 800) with teammates Terrell Oliver, Bobby LaSalle and Ian Greenstreet broke that 18 year old record with a time of 3:43.01.  To break the 1600 mark Daniel had to battle San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret’s Billy Gaudreau in his heat at the CIF Prelims to finish 2nd and run a time of 4:13.87 breaking Mark Ruelas ’82, thirty-two year old mark.  That was La Salle’s oldest record along with the 3200 record also held by Ruelas.  Daniel states that his next goal is to break Ruelas’ record in the 3200 and run under 4:10 in the 1600. 

Daniel, Alessandra and Dionna all competed in the CIF Division IV Finals.