By Ed Piper
La Jolla High head track coach Paul Byrne cites Lukas Stritzker's focus and contributions to the Viking track team.
"He's a quiet leader. He is very dedicated," said Byrne, commenting on the senior high jumper's 5'6" mark in La Jolla's opening dual meet at Hoover Feb. 28 in cold, rainy conditions. His mark was good for first place, to lead three teammates in the event, Ben Gomez, Jack Weinberg, and Aviram Raj-Silverman.
"He (Lukas) does what he's supposed to do," concluded the seven-year coach, who is also a teacher on campus.
Added Byrne: "He's a four-year track participant."
Regarding the two-week early start this year, with a dual meet falling in February--an unheard-of event previously--and the heavy rains lately, the coach said, "It was definitely a challenge to get the season started and to get everything organized."
All three sports seasons were started two weeks earlier than in previous years due to the expansion of state playoffs in all sports. Those playoff games extend each sport's season.
Next year, dates will be pushed back one week, since CIF officials realize they overdid it in moving all three seasons up two weeks instead of one.
Said Byrne, "We have practices on rainy days, so we can't have a full practice." More rain was falling as reporter and coach talked by phone (Mon., March 4).
The Vikings next travel to Serra for a dual meet Thurs., March 7.
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