Coming from an undefeated league standing, the boys’ varsity track team is preparing to face Los Altos for the second-to-last dual meet this Thursday, April 19.

Paly coaches appear optimistic, but still acknowledge Los Altos as a strong team.

“I think we’re the favorites but they are a very, very worthy opponent,” distance coach Jeff Billing said. “If they have a good day they can beat us.”

Throwers coach Chris Berg said, “I think that if all our athletes have PRs [personal records] or come close to them we can [win].”

The boys’ head coach is less worried about the upcoming meet.

“I think pretty easily we can beat them [Los Altos],” Jason Fung said.

“They don’t pose a threat I don’t think.”

Paly coaches agree that the boys’ team is well-rounded in all aspects of track and field.

“We have a competitor, someone who can score points, in every event,” Fung said.

Billing said. “Our strengths are the jumps, the sprints, and mid-distance. Their strengths are the hurdlers and the throws.”

Nevertheless, Los Altos has a few exceptional runners who can score a large amount of points in sprints, throws, as well as long distance running, the coaches said.

“They have a superstar hurdler [Eric Hersey],” Billing said. “A guy

who will definitely make it to states in both hurdles [100m and

300m].”

This “stud,” according to Fung, in addition to being a strong hurdler, is also a strong sprinter.

“They [Los Altos] have one or two [throwers] that are legitimate

threats,” Berg said. “But the others are like ours, young and pretty

inexperienced.”

Billing said, “Like us, they have one very good distance runner. But

we’re both probably sitting them out for CCS top eight on Friday.”

The coaches expect PRs in all areas if the winds subside.

“I expect PRs from all out varsity athletes (throwers),” Berg said.

“Fred Koloto has continuously gotten better each week.”

Billing said, “All depends on the weather. There’s so much wind

lately. I would expect that the milers, Julius [Berezein] and Rajan

can have a great race but with the wind their timers won’t be as

great.”

With the league season coming to a close, coaches think the team has a strong shot to win leagues and have several individuals qualify for the CCS as well as the state meet.

“Only two teams left,” Billing said. “I think our chances to go

undefeated in the dual meets are pretty strong.”

“Our relay has potential [to qualify for CCS],” Fung said, ” Also Mike Scott in jumps, Trenton Hart in the sprints, Phillip [MacQuitty] in

distance, Julius (Berezein), and Sam (Margevicious) may qualify.”

Athletes are also expected to advance to the state meet this year.

“Toward the state meet,” Billing said, ” Philip MacQuitty in either

the mile or the two-mile and Mike Scott in the high jump is definitely a contender,”

The team is well on its way to a strong finish of the season, but they still have a few meets to go.

The coaches acknowledge that there are a few small gaps as a team where improvements can be made.

“Our weakness is 300 hurdlers maybe,” Fung said.

Los Altos is currently 4-1, having lost only to Los Gatos, who Paly beat 74-35.

“We don’t have any glaring weaknesses, and they don’t have any glaring weaknesses, ” Billing said. “We’re two very good teams.”

The meet is Thursday, April 19, at the Paly track.