DOWNEY - The Downey High School boys' track team currently holds an overall record of 4-1 with the lone loss coming to Trabuco Hills in a nail biter, 68-64, on March 1. The Vikings finished last season with an overall record of 6-1.Downey is currently 1-0 in league with a 104-31 defeat of Gahr on March 22. Downey finished last season with a 4-1 league record, the lone loss coming to eventual league champion Paramount. Downey took first place at the Downey Relays on March 3, where the Vikings defeated Arroyo, Bell Gardens and Downey Calvary Chapel by healthy margins. Downey returns several key performers from last year. Dakari Archer is back doing the high jump, Jaime Vega (triple jump), Moises Martinez and Enrique Munoz (distance runners), Andrew Gonzalez (pole vault) and Fabian Mendoza (400 meters) all return as well. The Vikings also bring back Ismael Guerrero and former East Knight standouts Lenin Dolmos and Min Lee in the relays. Coach Gleason is very pleased with newcomer Joseph Carter who placed first in the high jump at the Irvine Invitational. The Vikings have lost former Griffiths Indian standout Isaac Dan (discus now at Cal-Berkeley), Stephen Bovey (hurdles) and Clarence Wallace (jumps and sprints). Coach Gleason sees Warren and Paramount as Downey's toughest league competition. Downey competed against Paramount on Thursday (scores unavailable at press time). League foe Warren is scheduled for next Thursday, April 5, at Warren in "The Classic" and will travel to and compete in Arcadia next weekend. Downey will run against Lynwood and Dominguez on Tuesday April 24. Downey boys' track will certainly be busy in the weeks to come. Coach Gleason and his staff are certainly poised and looking forward to making a run at a league championship.

********** Published: March 29, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 50