Dana Hills TC (CA)

Loyola TC (CA)

Team Website / NTN Profile

Top Athletes: Elias Geydon (distances), Jared Baker (sprints), Evan Barr (pole vault), Lee Hightower (sprints), Nick Budincich (throws) and Uka Amah (jumps).

Team Strengths: Loyola TC is incredibly well rounded, scoring big points across a variety of events, hence why despite being an at-large team, they are ranked US#2.  Despite placing second at the California state meet in the pole vault, Jared Baker will focus solely on the sprints, making room for teammate Evan Barr to compete in the pole vault, as Barr has gone 16-0 this season.  These types of interchangeable parts is what makes a good team great, and Loyola has the skills to push for a first place finish.

Key to Success: With deep fields in their respective events, Baker and Lee Hightower will need to score well in their events.  The jumps and sprints are two areas where every hundredth of a second and every inch count.  If Elias Geydon can score big in the distance events, and Evan Barr can clear 16-0 in the pole vault again, Loyola will be sitting strong.

Q&A with Coach Lalo Diaz

NTN: You come in to NTN as an at-large team, yet you are ranked US#2 currently, sitting behind California rival Vista Murrieta.  With so much talent in California this year, do you feel it helps your team prepare for an event like Nike Track Nationals?

Lalo Diaz (LD): What has best prepared our Team for this “ultimate” challenge is Southern Section battles and the State Finals competition. Indeed California is one of the deepest talent pools in the nation; thus, our boys are battle-tested for what the Nike Nationals will expose them to.  We are honored to be involved in this competition and only hope that we will represent our school and State with dignity and class.

NTN: Your Loyola squad is very well rounded.  Is this something you try and build year after year?  If so, what type of steps as a coach do you take to make this happen?

LD: We at Loyola attempt to motivate our student/athlete by challenging them to give their best effort.  Both in the classroom, as well as out on the field, we push them to be the best that their abilities permit.  As the oldest high school in Los Angeles (established 1865), the “bar” has long ago been established.  Loyola is a school of the highest standards, and we as teachers/coaches make every effort to have these benchmarks continued.

NTN: You have some tremendous athletes on this year's squad, including state champion Elias Geydon in the distances, and Jared Baker, who finished second in the pole vault. How has having such great athletes lead the team made the team stronger as a whole?

LD: Athletes like Elias Gedyon (800/1600 Meters), Jared Baker (100 Meters and football), as well as Evan Barr (Pole Vault); set the tone for our team at large.  They have tremendous God-given talent, yet they work very hard.  The younger athletes recognize that they will only achieve if they work at being the best!

NTN: What would it mean for Loyola to bring home the first ever Nike Track Nationals title?

LD: Being part of the First Annual Nike Track Nationals is honor enough!  We are humbled to have been selected.  But, we will certainly give our very best.  We hope to best represent Loyola High School of Los Angeles and the State of California.  Finishing among the best of the best is a tremendous accomplishment.

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