Vallejo Track and Field Rebounds After Early Mistake

Redhawks overcome dropped baton to win multiple events in TCAL tri-meet

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:42pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion and intensity of a high school track and field competition, with bold colors and overlapping shapes representing the Vallejo Redhawks' determined effort.A cubist interpretation of the Vallejo High School track and field team's resilient performance, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of their tri-meet victory.Vallejo Today

The Vallejo High School girls track team overcame an early mistake in the 4x100 relay to win multiple events, including the 100m and 200m dashes by sophomore Michesica Merisier. Other Lady Redhawks winners included Keziah Amos, Ronni Lewis, Asharee Reed, Mahlia Velasquez, and Branae Spencer. On the boys side, senior Austin Saunders led Vallejo with a win in the 400m and strong performances in the relays.

Why it matters

The Vallejo track and field program has been rebuilding in recent years, and this tri-meet performance shows the team's resilience and depth across multiple events. The upcoming Vallejo Invitational will be an important test as the Redhawks prepare for the postseason.

The details

In the girls 4x100 relay, Vallejo dropped the baton on the first exchange, allowing El Cerrito to win the event. However, the Lady Redhawks bounced back with individual event wins from Merisier in the 100m and 200m, as well as victories from Amos, Lewis, Reed, Velasquez, and Spencer. On the boys side, Saunders won the 400m and also anchored a strong 4x400 relay team made up entirely of Vallejo runners.

  • The tri-meet took place on Thursday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Vallejo Invitational is scheduled for this Saturday.

The players

Michesica Merisier

A sophomore sprinter for the Vallejo High School girls track team who won the 100m and 200m dashes.

Keziah Amos

A Vallejo High School girls track athlete who won the 400m event.

Ronni Lewis

A Vallejo High School girls track athlete who won the 100m hurdles.

Asharee Reed

A Vallejo High School girls track athlete who won the 300m hurdles.

Mahlia Velasquez

A Vallejo High School girls track athlete who won the long jump.

Branae Spencer

A Vallejo High School girls track athlete who won the shot put and discus.

Austin Saunders

A senior on the Vallejo High School boys track team who won the 400m and anchored the 4x400 relay.

Jevonte Hines

A Vallejo High School boys track athlete who won the 110m and 300m hurdles.

Llogan Franklin

A Vallejo High School boys track athlete who won the shot put.

Johnathan Shuemake

A Vallejo High School boys track athlete who set a personal best in the triple jump.

Mike Wilson

The head coach of the Vallejo High School track and field team.

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What they’re saying

“We lost it because we dropped the baton. You just have to have a better mindset because you have more races, so you can't let that one race bring you down.”

— Michesica Merisier, Vallejo Sophomore

“When I'm running down, I feel the wind, so it makes me run faster. My mentality is I just have to win.”

— Michesica Merisier, Vallejo Sophomore

“He gives everything. He's not going to slack off. You have to beat him at his speed because he's going to run hard.”

— Mike Wilson, Vallejo Head Coach

“A lot of my teammates were talking some mess, so I had to show them. I already knew I was faster.”

— Austin Saunders, Vallejo Senior

“At first, they hated it, but now even the shot put guys are like 'coach, can I run on it?' They don't realize they're getting a little work in. It's been fun and good for our team.”

— Mike Wilson, Vallejo Head Coach

What’s next

The Vallejo Invitational, featuring 13 teams, is scheduled for this Saturday at Corbus Field. Coach Wilson expects a good meet as many athletes rested this week after competing at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational last weekend.

The takeaway

The Vallejo High School track and field team showed resilience and depth in bouncing back from an early mistake to win multiple events at the TCAL tri-meet. This performance sets them up well for the upcoming Vallejo Invitational as they continue to build momentum towards the postseason.