Cybulski, Sperry top contenders for state championships
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com
Hudson Andrews won't be the only area athlete looking for glory at the CIF-Southern Section State Championships at Sacramento City College this weekend.

Andrews' teammate, Michael Cybulski, rebounded from an injury to take second place in the 3,200 last week at the CIF Masters Meet at Cerritos College.

Cybulski was near the back of the pack until the last lap, when the UCLA-bound senior made a huge kick to take the lead before Chad Hall would eventually reclaim the lead to win. Cybulski finished with a time of 9:04.99.

"I still have a little pain from my injury; it's only my fifth week running with it," Cybulski said. "However, I feel right now it's the point of no return with the injury. I've been improving my time by increasing my workouts to make up for the lost time, including running hills, which you usually don't do at this point of the season."

Cybulski is the twotime defending state champion in the 3,200 and is hoping to make it three in a row this weekend.

"We have a unique opportunity of having a chance to have someone from our school win the mile and two mile in the state championships," Royal head coach Ryan Luce said. "I truly believe you will see Michael in the Olympics someday. He is a very gifted athlete."

While Cybulski and Andrews will each be trying to win one event, Simi Valley's Anna Sperry will be looking to win a pair of titles. Sperry will be competing in the girls' 1,600 and 3,200.

"I've had a chance to talk with Anna's coach at Simi (Roger Evans), and we both agreed that the reason Anna is so great is because she is so headstrong," Luce said.

"She has been awesome to watch, and I think it's in her favor that she will place high in both events. The two mile is probably her best event, but she is amazing in the mile as well."