Illness Keeps Bateman, Lewis Out of Sunkist Track Meet

Morgan Bateman and Brent Lewis of Crescenta Valley High were forced to withdraw from last Friday’s Sunkist Invitational at the Sports Arena because of illness, according to Falcon track Coach Keith Gilliland.

Bateman, the defending Southern Section 4-A Division champion in the 800 meters, contracted the flu 2 days before the meet and Lewis, who tied for second in the pole vault in last spring’s Southern Section finals, was sidelined with mononucleosis.

“The doctor advised us to keep Brent out of the meet,” Gilliland said. “He said if he jumped, there was a chance of rupturing his spleen.”

Lewis, who cleared 14 feet, 6 inches as a junior, is expected to be sidelined for another 3 to 4 weeks. Bateman could resume training later this week.

Bateman, who has a personal best of 1:52.66 in the 800 and ran faster than 1:54 in 5 races last season, may concentrate on the 1,500 this season.

“In the past, Morgan always said he was strictly an 800 runner,” Gilliland said. “But this year, he’s talking about possibly moving up to the 1,500. That’s the event that he’s best suited for.”

Bateman finished eighth in last year’s state championships at 800 meters and is the state’s fourth-fastest returning runner in that event. He ran a best of 3:59.58 in the 1,500 as a junior.