TRACK AND FIELD: 23 years later, Standley has golden touch

No one standing on the infield Wednesday at Hart High understood or appreciated the magnitude or significance of Saugus' Foothill League victory over the Indians more than Centurions coach Christian Standley.

In 1986, Standley was a freshman athlete on Saugus' track and field team, the last Centurions group to capture a league championship, albeit in the Golden League.

After returning to coach at Saugus in 2001 and enduring a couple of agonizing losses in pursuit of the program's first Foothill League title -- including last year's 72-64 loss to Hart at Saugus -- Standley finally received the victory dousing from the water bucket he had waited so many years to experience as the Centurions wrapped up an undefeated league season with a 102-34 triumph.

"(The victory shower) wasn't too uncomfortable," Standley said. "I'll gladly experience that if it means winning league."

The Saugus' girls' team atoned for losses in two previous trips to Hart by recording a 107-29 victory, secured its fourth consecutive championship.

"Those meets were still there in the back of my mind," Standley said. "It feels like we completed everything today."

Saugus distance coach Rene Paragas, a Hart alumnus, now boasts the distinction of guiding boys' and girls' varsity cross country teams as well as boys' and girls' varsity track and field teams to Foothill League titles.

"We made sure we celebrated really loud," Paragas said. "It's a very nice feeling. We're definitely going to enjoy it."