Sunday, June 15, 2025
This spring marked a special milestone for the Long Beach girls track and field program as it’s the 20th year under the leadership of coach Megan Grahlfs.
What made this season even more remarkable wasn’t just the celebration of Grahlfs’ long-standing commitment, but the stunning performances of a young, energetic team that shattered expectations and records.
With only two seniors and two juniors on the roster, Grahlfs didn’t anticipate the level of success the Marines would reach so quickly. “I knew they’d be competitive,” she said, “but we broke five school records this season. I didn’t expect to be this good yet.”
Freshman standout Julia Glenz was a force from the very beginning. After qualifying for the state cross-country meet in the fall, Glenz is headed to the Nike Nationals next week in Oregon. She and fellow freshmen Sydney Olivo and Payton Dunckley competed at the Nike Nationals this past winter.
The sprint medley relay of sophomores Grace Briody, Sophia Quezada, Sophia Stevenson, along with Glenz smashed a 25-year-old school record, while the 4x400 relay squad, featuring Quezada, Briody, Dunckley, and Glenz, also rewrote the Long Beach record books.
Olivo now holds the school record in the 3000 meters, Dunckley made headlines of her own by breaking the school's 2000-meter steeplechase record and finishing All-County, and Quezada broke her own program mark in the 200.
Grahlfs credits the team’s tight bond and maturity as key drivers of its success. “They are all so supportive of each other and thrive off the success of each other,” she said. “That positive energy allows them to have this fierce competitive drive. They come to practice ready and willing to work. They are more mature than most typical younger athletes.”
Also contributing to Long Beach's success were sophomore Maia Ross, who finished All-County in pole vault, and sophomore Riley Albanese who scored in the 100 high hurdles.
The Marines finished runner-up to Baldwin in the Divisoin 2A meet following an undefeated regular season.
The culture at Long Beach track and field is one that continues to build year after year. Alumni frequently return to speak with the current team, offer support, and reinforce the values that defined their own athletic journeys, the coach noted.
The growth of the runners extends far beyond medal counts and records. “Each and every one of our girls are progressing and developing a confidence to succeed in whatever they do,” Grahlfs said. “Even if it’s not at a state or national level, the progress each girl makes is amazing to watch.”
