Michael Carner made history recently at the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) Track and Field Championships at Serra High School in Gardena. The sixth-grader became the first athlete ever from Our Lady of Malibu to medal in three separate events.
Carner, 12, was one of six athletes from the Our Lady of Malibu boys “B” team that led the Bulldogs to a fourth place finish out of 70 schools from the Los Angeles Archdiocese. There were more than 2,500 CYO athletes who competed, and the Bulldogs had the fewest members of any team in the finals. Despite the low odds against them, Carner and company came within a point of third place.
Our Lady of Malibu accumulated 24 points, including two silver medals and one bronze medal. Carner’s feat was inspiring to those in attendance.
“It was an incredible all-around performance. He was tremendous,” Coach John Meyers said. “Michael has always done everything that I have asked him to. He has always been someone you can count on. He’s a good leader as well. He really steps it up.”
Carner ran a lifetime best and school-record 2:38.43 in the 800-meter run. His efforts earned him a second-place finish. In the long jump, he had a personal best of 14 feet that placed him third overall. Lastly, Carner ran a strong anchor leg for the Bulldog’s 4×100-meter relay place team that finished in seventh with a time of 1:00.31.
“It’s tough to get there,” Carner said about qualifying for the CYO championships. “Last year I went there for only one event and this year I got into three. To place that well in the events was great.”
And to make history at OLM? “It makes me feel good because there has never been someone that has done that before,” Carner said with a smile.
Carner trained once or twice a week at the Malibu High School track. Next year he might add the 400-meter run to his repertoire. He also competes for the OLM football and basketball teams while playing soccer and baseball in local youth leagues.
His summer plans include practicing for the upcoming football season and going to the Bahamas on vacation.