TRACK AND FIELD: Coefield has the last word in sprint showdown with Tartabull

Josh Coefield tried to downplay it after the race. And for once, Valencia's Zach Tartabull didn't have anything to say about his rivalry with the Saugus senior.

Coefield let his running speak for itself Friday night at Canyon, completing a sprint double with a victory in the 200 over Tartabull, atoning for a loss March 26 in the league opener at Valencia.
"He beat me the first time we raced because I kind of underestimated him, but it was different in the final," Coefield said. "It's not like I don't like the guy, he just thought he was the favorite in the 200 and that motivated me."

Although he never trailed in the 100, Coefield needed a well-timed lean to finish ahead of West Ranch's Ross Bacon 11.27 to 11.30. Coefield found another extra burst of energy to pull away from the charging Tartabull in the final 20 meters of the 200 to prevail 22.77 to 22.97. Tartabull sat dejected for a lengthy period following the race, unresponsive to his consoling teammates.

"I knew he was coming and it was just the feeling that I didn't want to get beat again," Coefield said.

Coefield sported a shirt in between races that read "Left no doubt" on the back, in reference to Saugus' sweep of the Foothill dual meets, resulting in the Centurions' first boys' league championship since 1986.

After trailing Hart's Delano Howell last season, Coefield also left no doubt as to who the league's elite sprinter was this season.

"It's definitely a good way to go out," Coefield said. "My sophomore year I won, but last year Delano Howell was there. But this is how I imagined it my senior year."