RHS senior Anthony Sausedo is the only Riponite to ever have the chance to become a State Champion for track and field after he won a gold medal in the 300 meter hurdles at the Masters meet last week. This qualifies him to run at the CIF State Championship Trials on Friday, May 27. 

Sausedo has a difficult decision to make, however, as this date also happens to be the same as his high school graduation. To make his decision even more difficult, Sausedo is also the valedictorian for his class.

Anthony ran a 38.26 in the 300m hurdle at the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Finals to qualify to be able to run at the CIF State Championship. Heading into the State, Sasuedo ranks 8th in the state of California and has a chance to not only be the first Riponite to go to the State Championship but has a chance to become the State Champion for his event.

“Qualifying for state has meant so much because this is really the first year that I’ve been able to have a real track season because of Covid, so being able to make it this far after going through so much adversity is really special to me,” Sausedo stated.

A valedictorian is a student that has the highest academic accomplishments of the entire class, and the valedictorian usually gives the valedictory speech at a graduation ceremony. Sausedo will give this final goodbye speech to the graduating class of 2022. 

   “It means a lot to me to be able to represent the class in such an impactful way and share my wisdom with my classmates, and even though I won’t be at the ceremony I was able to record my speech so it can still be shared.” Sausedo states.