As the track and field comes to an end for Orestimba High, sophomore Israel Ramirez was the only representative for the Warriors in the 106th CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Clovis last Friday.

Ramirez didn’t qualify for the finals in the men’s 110-meter hurdles after he finished 22nd with a time of 14.91 seconds in the preliminary round.

Despite the sophomore athlete not advancing further, co-head coach Charlie Kothenbeutel said it was a huge accomplishment for Ramirez to even qualify for the meet as 1988 was the last time the program had an athlete participate for the competition until now.

“To do it as a sophomore in such a competitive event like the hurdles just goes to show how much work he’s put in, and then to be able to go out there and compete with the best people in the state of California is a great opportunity,” Kothenbeutel said.

It’s been a breakout season for Ramirez, who continues to break the program’s record books through each meet. He currently holds the school’s fastest times in four events.

While Friday’s competition was the end for some athletes, Ramirez alongside Marian Quevedo will travel to Euguene, Ore. for the Nike Outdoor Nationals from June 19 to June 22. Both athletes are the first in program history to qualify for the premier meet.

“It’s just incredible to see the level of success that those two have had, and to get a chance to go up there and compete, it’ll be just a great environment,” Kothenbeutel said.