Burroughs and Burbank High Schools Launch Track and Field Season with Strong Returning Athletes

The track and field season has begun for both Burroughs and Burbank high schools, with each team positioning themselves for competitive campaigns despite lacking major headliners, according to season previews.

Burroughs High School enters the season with particular strength in girls’ sprinting events. Senior Zoe Ben-Yair leads the Bears’ sprint corps and stands as one of the Pacific League’s top performers, according to recent meet results. Ben-Yair recorded a time of 12.67 seconds in the 100-meter dash at Saturday’s Rio Hondo-Pacific League Challenge, while also posting 16.29 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles.

Junior Elizabeth Browngardt will support Ben-Yair in sprint events and relay competitions, giving the Bears depth in their strongest area. The distance running squad features senior Saida Getz leading what team officials describe as a solid group.

The Burroughs boys’ team centers around senior Ethan Rivas, who coaches expect to rank among the Pacific League’s top 400-meter runners this season. In field events, senior Blayne Smith returns as the team’s leading jumper, while Andres Morin has cleared 12 feet in pole vault competition.

Distance runners seniors Liam Ellingsworth and Nathan Marca bring veteran experience to events where they will face strong competition from Crescenta Valley as they pursue postseason qualification.

Burbank High School faces the season after losing a key performer. Senior Daniel Slaughter, who held two school records in hurdle events, transferred to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, creating a gap in the Bulldogs’ lineup.

The Burbank boys’ team will rely heavily on senior pole vaulter Ryan Kochout, who has also achieved the 12-foot mark. Kochout has trained extensively with Ogden Lucsik, who won the CIF championship in pole vault last year, providing valuable preparation for the upcoming season.

Junior Drew Bosman and senior Alen Dilanyan anchor the Bulldogs’ sprint events and are expected to contribute significantly to team scoring throughout the season.

The Burbank girls’ squad features senior Chase Harris as their primary strength in throwing events, competing in both shot put and discus. Senior Rafaela Torokian brings field event depth with an 8-foot-6-inch pole vault mark.

Senior Arpi Airapetian will handle hurdle events for the Bulldogs, while sophomore Cynthia Hairapetyansian is projected as the team’s top sprinter.

Both schools enter Pacific League competition seeking to maximize their strengths while developing depth across multiple events. The Bears appear particularly well-positioned in girls’ sprinting, where Ben-Yair’s early-season performances suggest potential for strong postseason results.

The Bulldogs face the challenge of replacing Slaughter’s production while building around their returning pole vaulters and sprint corps. Kochout’s connection to last year’s CIF champion could prove valuable as the season progresses.

League competition will test both teams’ preparations, with Crescenta Valley presenting particular challenges in distance events. The season’s success for both Burroughs and Burbank will depend on their ability to score consistently across multiple events rather than relying on individual standout performances.

Early meet results, including Ben-Yair’s strong showing at the Rio Hondo-Pacific League Challenge, provide initial indicators of competitive readiness as both teams work toward league championships and postseason qualification.