By Town Crier Staff

Brothers Douglas and Casey Roche of Los Altos moved up in age classes and still placed first in their respective divisions at last month’s Junior Olympic Regional Decathlon Championship in Santa Rosa.

Douglas, undefeated in the decathlon the last three years, easily captured the Young Men’s Division (ages 17-18) and qualified for the Junior Olympic National Championships in Miami, Fla. His regional score of 4,797 set a new personal record. Douglas also established personal bests in the 100-meter sprint, shot put, 400 run, 110 high hurdles, discus, javelin and 1,500 run.

Casey won the decathlon in the Intermediate Boys Division (14-15) by more than 1,000 points, qualifying for the Nationals. He set new personal records in the 100 sprint, 400 run, 110 high hurdles, javelin, and 1500 run. Casey also tied his personal best in the pole vault, clearing 12-feet-6. He scored 4,639 points in total.

The Roches followed up this competition with the Junior Olympic Regional Pole Vault Championships, held in 103-degree heat at Fresno State’s Warmerdam Stadium.

Casey won his division by topping his previous best, clearing 13-6. Douglas placed fifth in his age group.

In the fall both Roches will attend St. Francis High, where Douglas enters his junior year and Casey will be a freshman.

Lightning strikes at JOs

Local members of the Palo Alto Lightning Track & Field Club competed in the Junior Olympic Championships last month at James Logan High in Union City.

The local contingent included Mountain View’s Buddy Bello and Los Altos residents Alec Nickolls and David Wobber. Nickolls placed high enough in the 1,500 run to advance to the Regional in Santa Rosa.