Track and Field ‘Crosses the Finish Line’ With Their Third Consecutive PCL Win

Kayley Winata and Zoha Syed

Distance runner and sophomore Nick Perez passes the 200-meter mark while running the 800-meter run, speeding up to catch up to and pass two runners.

Track and field wrapped up 2025 with the Pacific Coast League Finals on May 2 at Portola High, where girls’ varsity won their third consecutive league championship title and boys’ varsity placed third.

Bulldogs who placed top three in their respective events while having a qualifying time moved on to CIF prelims, which includes 13 athletes and all varsity relay teams, while others were able to set PCL Records. Additionally, track and field set more top 10 school records than ever this season and broke their oldest school record, the girls’ 4×400 meter relay, during PCL finals.

“Going into PCL finals on the girls’ side, we knew it’d be a close meet,” junior and team manager Connor Hsiao said. “During [the game at] Northwood, we were missing two key runners, but during League finals, we each had them run, and they were able to collectively score 15 points. We were able to get that lead and become league champs. On the boys’ side, we focused on our individual performances, in which we did have a couple of notable top 10 performances and school records.”

This season, team captains and coaches have been prioritizing teamwork during their meetings, aiming to help support athletes and improve their performance.

“As a captain, I feel like there’s more goals placed upon me to be a leader and a role model,” hurdler and team captain junior Andrew Magpayo said. “I need to set the standard for everyone else and be more outgoing and social. I truly feel like I’ve been able to talk to everyone pretty easily compared to last year. A lot of people have come up to me for advice, which I really enjoy.”

The team captains’ efforts towards team spirit helped distance runner and freshman Audrey Lin achieve her goal of getting an 800-meter time below 2:20 minutes and qualify for CIF for two events in her first year of participating in high school track and field.

“When everyone cheers each other on, the team spirit and vibes are just so encouraging,” Lin said. “Especially during PCL finals, everyone was really hyped up. Before my race, I had a lot of people I saw do well. After that, their good vibes just transferred onto me, and I felt pretty good and confident. So overall, I just like the track needs and how everyone’s really happy and excited.”

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About the Contributors

Kayley Winata, Centerspread Editor

Kayley Winata is the Centerspread Editor for her second year on the Portola Pilot. During Pilot, you can find her sipping her matcha latte (that she woke up early to make) or plotting her next cafe adventure with Nina. In her spare time, you can find her mindlessly scrolling on Pinterest, baking her heart out or listening to Faye Webster and Luna Li on repeat on Spotify. She is so excited to create cute centerspreads and work with everyone on Pilot this year!

Zoha Syed, Staff Writer

Zoha Syed is a staff writer for her first year on the Portola Pilot. If she’s not crying over AP Physics in her room, you can find her spamming Instagram reels to her best friend Kayley or impulse cutting her bangs (eighth time’s the charm, right?). Zoha loves talking to her friends, snacking on sour gummy worms and listening to music; you will never catch her without an airpod in her left ear. This year, Zoha looks forward to connecting with her peers on campus and exploring the world of journalism!