The 100th Annual Russell Cup

April 14, 2019

On Saturday, April 13, the 100th annual Russell Cup took place at Carpinteria High School. The Russell Cup is the oldest track meet in California. Since its inception in 1913, the meet has brought together some of the best “small” school competition from around Southern California. The event has played host to some very talented athletes, including future NFL players and future Olympians.

Cate has been well represented throughout the history of the meet. Since the first race in 1913, the Rams have brought home 15 championships on the boys side and 20 on the girls side.  The first champion for Cate was Graham Hollister ’29, who brought home victory in the 100 yard and 220 yard races. The girls portion of the Russell Cup started in 1960 and it didn’t start in earnest until 1963.  Sarah Allaback ’84 brought home Cate’s first girls championship in 1982 with a victory in the one mile race.

In this year’s edition of the history track meet, the Rams walked away, or perhaps it’s more telling to say the Rams “ran” away, with two champions. For the boys, Buba Fofanah ’20 won the 100m and 200m races, while also winning the Russell Cup award for Outstanding Sprinter. Rivers Sheehan ’19 won the women’s triple jump competition. Sheehan ’19 just missed out on bringing home some more hardware, as she came in second in the long jump.

Simply competing in a historic event like the Russell Cup will create memories for Cate’s track and field athletes; bringing home a few first place finishes on the day makes it even sweeter. For Fofanah ’20 and Sheehan ’19, their names will forever be placed in Cate track and field history. The question is … who’s next?