Shot Put

Stamatia Scarvelis of Dos Pueblos saved best for very last in 2013, throwing a season best of 52-1.75 at US Junior Nationals, 3 weeks after the California State Meet. Her state performance of 50-7.75 was still solid enough for the win, to add on to her wins at CIF SS Masters, CIF-SS D2 Finals, and Stanford, to name a few. Scarvelis is the only returner with a mark over 50 feet - having exceeded that standard at seven different meets in 2013. She has already put up a 53-08.75 mark last weekend at the Simplot Games in Idaho, which is already over a foot improvement from last year. That is not only a US#1 for 2014, but is surpassed by only one throw for all of 2013!

The only other returner who has come close to the 50 foot barrier is junior Nia Britt of Notre Dame, who tossed a 49-0.25 mark and bested Scarvelis at the Mt. Sac Relays. [Update 2/18/2014 - Britt transferred from Alemany to Notre Dame this year, joining top thrower Ginika Iwuchukwu under coach Nick Garcia - more from the Daily News]. Britt is the CIF-SS D3 Champion and placed 3rd in last year's state final. After Britt, look for a senior trio of 45 foot throwers including Ginika Iwuchukwu of Notre Dame, Gealdynn Leaupepe of Camarillo, and Destiny Parker of Summit.

Shot Put Top Returners

Stamatia Scarvelis at CIF SS Masters.  

Discus Throw

The story is much the same in the girls Discus with Stamatia Scarvelis entering the season as the best mark by a margin of over 8 feet. Not quite as dominate as she is in the shot, Scarvelis brought home a 3rd place finish at last year's CIF State Championship meet. She brought home titles at CIF-SS D2 Finals as well as the Redondo and Ventura Invitationals.

Newbury Park's Kendall Mader is the #2 returner with a best of 153-05 which she threw en route to winning the Ventura County Championships. Another rising start to keep an eye on is Hannah Chappell of Oakdale. Last year as only a freshman, Chappel qualified for the state meet and tossed an impressive 144-04 in prelims, showing a huge in-season improvement. Another thrower who should be mentioned is Rae Blansett of Liberty (Bakersfield) who has also surpassed the 144 mark and is a returning state finalist.

Discus Throw Top Returners