Santa Ynez senior Malia Ortiz has repeated as the CIF Central Section Division 2 pole vault champion.
Ortiz cleared 11 feet even at the Division 2 meet at Dinuba High School last Friday to win the divisional title. She won the 2024 D2 title at 10-6.
Ortiz qualified automatically for the CIF Central Section Masters Meet that will take place at Clovis Buchanan High School Saturday. Field events will start at 4 p.m., and running events will start at 5 p.m.
Santa Ynez junior Brooke Phelan qualified for the Masters meet in the girls 3,200, and the Santa Ynez girls 4×1 relay team of Haley Townes, Presley Pinoli, Halie Swanson and Ella Gotschall also qualified.
Phelan finished third at the Division 2 meet in 11 minutes, 36.08 seconds. The Santa Ynez 4×1 relay squad finished fifth in 49.91.
The winners in each divisional meet, plus those with the next 14-best marks from all divisions, advanced to the state meet.
Santa Ynez’s Luc Lewis and Ikenna Ofiaeli are alternates for the state meet. Lewis finished third in 40.80 in the boys 300 hurdles at the Division 2 meet, and Ofiaeli finished fifth at 145-00 in the boys discus.
Ortiz is the 2025 Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table (NSBCART) Female Athlete of the Year. Besides her decorated track and field career, Ortiz was a Central Section area wrestling champion at 110 pounds her junior and senior seasons.
In 2024, Ortiz became the first female wrestler in school history to win a CIF championship when she won at the Masters at 110 pounds.
Ortiz won the girls pole vault and high jump titles at the Santa Barbara County Championships last April. Ortiz holds the school girls pole vault record at 11-3.
She will attend Cal Poly and focus on academics.
Santa Ynez battles Paso Robles at new ‘Pirate Beach’ volleyball facility | Photos
Santa Ynez’ Natalie Bailey stuff blocks a Paso Robles hitter.
Santa Ynez battles Paso Robles at the new “Pirate Beach” volleyball facility.
Santa Ynez’ Natalie Bailey, right, receives a Paso Robles serve as Arelie Perez, left, runs up to set the ball at the Pirates’ new beach volleyball facility.
Santa Ynez’ new “Pirate Beach” volleyball facility, shown in the match against Paso Robles, features four sand courts, and a grassy hillside seating area.
Santa Ynez’ Freshman Scarlett Ollenburger hits through a Paso Robles block for a point.
Santa Ynez’ Kailyn Snekvik dives to dig a Paso Robles shot as Helina Pecile encourages her.
Santa Ynez’ Scarlett Ollenburger (2) and Jordan Gann (9) celebrate a point against Paso Robles.
Santa Ynez’ Kailyn Snekvik, left, watches as Helina Pecile dives in to save a shot by Paso Robles.
Santa Ynez’ Pearl Malloy and Kendall Herthel celebrate a point against Paso Robles.
Santa Ynez’ Arelie Perez listens to Coach Melissa Rogers during a break in the match against Paso Robles.
Santa Ynez’ Helina Pecile hits the ball by a Paso Robles block.