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Small Squad, Big Heart: PG Track’s Historic Rise to the Top
Small Squad, Big Heart: PG Track’s Historic Rise to the Top
Breakers Conquer the Mission: From Santa Lucia to Division Champions in Four Years
Breakers Conquer the Mission: From Santa Lucia to Division Champions in Four Years
The Pacific Grove High School Track and Field program has been on the rise the last couple of years. A mere four years ago, the Breakers were competing in the Santa Lucia, the lowest division in the Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL). Since then, the trajectory has been a steady upward rise; with a quick two-year stop and a few division titles in the Cypress division, the Breakers earned their entry into the Mission division for 2026. Entering a higher tier of competition often comes with a learning year, but the Breakers skipped the introductions and went straight for the crown, proving they didn't just belong in the Mission...they were ready for it from the start.
The Boys: A Masterclass in Depth
The Boys: A Masterclass in Depth
On a warm early evening at Watsonville High School, the Breaker boys’ team secured the Mission Division Championship through a display of amazing depth. With a final team score of 109 points, Pacific Grove handily took the title over runner-up Carmel (87) and Watsonville (84). The Breakers managed to score points in 13 of the 16 contested events, a feat of versatility that no other team in the division could match. Perhaps even more impressive: outside of Senior Trenton Maciel in the High Jump (6-01.00, a PR and the highest mark in the PCAL) and Junior Silas Schulz in the Triple Jump (43-03.75, the longest mark in the PCAL) taking 1st place, the title was won by flooding the scoring columns from second to sixth.
In the Triple Jump alone, the Breakers took the top two spots with Silas and Junior Sergen Serttunc (41-11.50, PR). The High Jump was even more dominant, with four Breakers scoring: Trenton (1st), Freshman Zevulun Knutson (5-08.00, 4th), Sergen (5-08.00, 5th), and Junior Kabir Sharma (5-06.00, 6th). Rounding out the jumps, the Breakers proved they are an absolute force in the Long Jump pit. The squad locked down 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place respectively (Sergen 20-04.00, Senior Travis Travaille 20-04.00, Junior Betinho Zunguze 20-00.00, and Silas 19-10.00). From those three field events alone, the Breakers hauled in 49 points.
On the track, points came from every distance. Travis took 2nd in the 100m (11.19a) and 5th in the 200m (24.00a), while Sergen added a 2nd place finish in the 200m (23.82a) with Freshman Thomas Diaz finishing 6th (24.85a). Senior Antony Gabrik was a workhorse, taking 2nd in the 1600m (4:24.62a, PR) and running one of the best come-from-behind races ever in the 300m Hurdles (44.30a, 2nd) after hitting the very first hurdle. The distance points were capped by Freshman Ricardo Vargas taking 5th in the 3200m (10:29.78a, PR). Senior Adam Motter took 5th in the 110H (20.60a) and 7th in the 300H, while helping the 4x100 relay team to a 6th place finish.
The night reached a fever pitch during the 4x400m relay. There is truly nothing like having the entire team lining the track and screaming home their teammates until their voices are lost. Driven by that energy, the team of Betinho, Antony, Junior Joseph Grief, and Senior Tadeo Ortiz left everything on the track. In a race featuring three lead changes, they battled the best in the league and dropped over 7 seconds off their season best to take home a 2nd place finish (3:32.06a) in one of the most electric finishes of the year.
The Girls: Small Roster, Massive Heart
The Girls: Small Roster, Massive Heart
The Breaker girls’ squad pulled off a performance that defied every expectation. Competing with a small—only 19 athletes—but elite and willing roster, the Breakers fought their way to a 3rd place overall finish with 85.5 points, trailing only powerhouse programs Monte Vista Christian (138) and Monterey (119).
Junior Izzy Bertolucci led the charge with a triple-gold performance, winning the 100m (12.89a), 200m (26.67a), and Long Jump (15-01.00). The podium finish was secured by athletes who battled for every remaining point. Senior Yeva Yevdash was a scoring machine, taking 4th in the 100m Hurdles (18.83a), 6th in the 300m Hurdles (55.85a), and 4th in the Pole Vault (7-06.00). Freshman Nico Brockmeyer contributed heavily across the board, taking 4th in the 400m (1:04.41a, PR), 4th in the 800m (2:33.65a, PR), and 6th in the High Jump (4-04.00).
Junior Molly Selfridge anchored the throws, taking 2nd in the Shot Put (31-01.00, PR) and 4th in the Discus (85-04, PR). Junior Audrey Gamecho soared to 3rd in the Triple Jump (30-10.25), and the distance crew of Freshman Eleanor Holt (12:36.38a, 3rd), Senior Sofia Liddell (13:28.80a, 5th, PR), and Freshman Lucia Troy (13:47.26a, 6th, PR) swept up critical points in the 3200m.
The most exciting surprise of the night came in the final event. As the sun set, the Breaker ladies (Nico, Senior Sulachhya Gurung, Freshman Gabi Amsler, and Izzy) stepped onto the track for the 4x400m. Surrounded by the deafening cheers of their teammates lining the lanes, they dropped an unbelievable 9 seconds off their best mark of the season. They fought home to a 3rd place finish (4:27.05a), putting the exclamation point on the best meet a coach could ask for.
The Road to Masters
The Road to Masters
With the division meet in the rearview, the focus shifts to the Masters Meet this Friday at Monte Vista Christian. This is the gateway to CCS, where our qualifiers, 14 individuals and 5 relay teams, will compete against the top athletes from all 32 schools in the PCAL. The goal is simple: finish in the top six to advance.
As we celebrate this historic first year in the Mission division, let’s carry that Breaker momentum into Friday’s competition. Best of luck to all our athletes moving on!
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