Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Fillmore Police Department encourages our residents and visitors to rejoice and celebrate over the Fourth of July weekend responsibly and with consideration for the safety of all members of the public and their respective property. With the anticipated increase of the city’s population during the festivities, in addition to the inherent dangers associated with illegal fireworks, the Police Department will have extra patrol deputies deployed throughout the city over the holiday weekend.

The Police Department wants to remind residents and visitors about illegal fireworks and the fines associated with these crimes:

“Safe and Sane” fireworks, bearing the seal of the State Fire Marshal, can be legally sold, possessed, and enjoyed in the city between 12:00 pm, June 28th, and 12:00 pm, July 5th.

Violators may be cited for violating city municipal codes and are subject to a $1000.00 fine for possessing illegal fireworks or violators may be arrested for more serious offenses. If you witness any illegal firework activity, please call the Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-2233 or if there is an immediate threat to life or property call 9-1-1.

Community: Fourth of July News Release
Nature of Incident: Fillmore Police Fourth of July Holiday Weekend Extra Patrol
Location: City of Fillmore
Date & Time: June 17, 2021
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Police Department
Prepared by: Deputy J. Labbé
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Multiple residents of Fillmore have reported damage to their vehicles by having their windows shattered by a rock. The vandalisms occurred from June 9, 2021 through June 16, 2021, between 8:30 pm to 7:00 am. The damaged vehicles were parked on the street in different locations around the city. The suspect(s) may be targeting recent graduates from Fillmore High School.

The Fillmore Police Department is asking citizens who may have information pertaining to these vandalisms to call Detectives Salas or Pewsey at the below listed telephone numbers. The reporting party may remain anonymous.
Residents are urged to be aware of these vandalisms and to park their vehicles in well-lit areas or inside their garage.

Community: Fillmore Vandalisms
Nature of Incident: Request for Public Assistance Regarding Multiple Vehicle Vandalisms
Report Number: 21-75516, 21-75348, 21-75318, 21-78372
Location: Various Locations Throughout Fillmore
Date & Time: June 9, 2021 through June 16, 2021, 8:30 pm to 7:00 am
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Services and Fillmore Detective Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent, City of Residence, Age
Unknown Unknown Unknown
Prepared by: Detective Pewsey
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

In May 1893 the Sespe Town Plan (above) was filed with the County of Ventura and was to be located between Sixth and Seventh Streets with the streets running from Fifth to Eighth. Only a few streets can still be found on maps found today.
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Sespe Depot c 1900
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Sespe School on Grand Avenue, 1896
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Courtesy Fillmore History Museum

After the murder of T. Wallace More in 1877, the property that was Rancho Sespe was inherited by T. Wallace More’s surviving children: Mattie Mae More Storke, Thomas R. More, Wallace More and Alexander More. Mattie Mae Storke sold 3,379 acres to Sespe Land and Water Company headed by Jacob McNab and this became the town of Fillmore. Two of the brothers, Thomas and Wallace, jointly sold their 2,313 acres to Thomas Bard. Royce Surdam bought 1500 acres from Bard and began to develop Bardsdale.

In July of 1887, Alexander More sold about 220 acres to Pacific Improvement Company, a subsidiary of the Southern Pacific Railroad. He also sold 50’ on either side to the proposed railroad track to Southern Pacific.

In 1889 Pacific Improvement Co. sold land to the Santa Paula Methodist Episcopal Church for land for a church in the town of Sespe. They also sold property for a school to the San Cayetano School District.

Alexander More died in late May 1889 while on a fishing trip to Santa Ynez Valley and his remaining portion of Rancho Sespe was sold at auction to settle his estate.

On September 11, 1891, the property was sold to James L. High at auction for $75,000. On November 26, 1892, High sold it for $85,000 to Morton D. Hull.

On May 9, 1893, a plan was filed for the Town of Sespe with Ventura County. It would be built around the Southern Pacific Depot which would be located between Sixth and Seventh Streets with the streets running from Fifth to Eighth, with six avenues, Ventura, More, Main, Walnut, Olive and Orange. Today only Fifth and Seventh Streets can be found on maps. This was on the land owned by Pacific Improvement Company.

In August 1893, a prospectus was prepared for the Hull Subdivision of Sespe Ranch six miles east of Santa Paula with the Southern Pacific railroad running through it. 1,600 acres were offered in 10, 20-, 30-, 40-, and 50-acre parcels. Buyers would also be able to access sufficient water for orchards because “Sespe Water Company has developed ample water to irrigate the entire tract, have wells capable of producing about 3,500,000gallons of water per diem of 24 hours. This Company has just installed a thoroughly modern steam pumping plant …. (and) has laid several miles of large iron mains and a 14-inch line leads the water to their million-gallon reservoir.”

So far research has not found any evidence that these parcels were advertised for sale like those in Fillmore and Bardsdale. Other than laying out the plan and apparently installing water lines, little of this town of Sespe was ever realized.

As E. M. Sheridan wrote in 1928, “…it was hoped that this station of Sespe might really become the chief town of the valley. But by the time of the finish of the railroad in about 1886-7, the new town of Fillmore suddenly dawned on the horizon, with the railroad people given everything they wanted in the way of depot grounds and room for sidings, and first thing known Sespe was forgotten…”

That doesn’t mean there wasn’t a Sespe Community.

Ventura County was separated from Santa Barbara County in 1873. “Sespe” existed as a recognized voting district as early as 1876. The voting district took in everything from Santa Paula, east to the county line with Los Angeles County.

It was an active community. The July 19, 1873, Ventura Signal reported on a well-attended July 4th celebration at Hercynian Grove near “Spraguesville” (at the mouth of the Sespe on the Santa Clara River). Mrs. Guiberson, Messrs. Haskins and Marple sang the Star-Spangled Banner. F. A. Sprague read the Declaration of Independence and later gave an oration “to the perfect satisfaction of all present.”

In 1874 Frederick Sprague and his 13-year-old daughter, Iva, and 14-year-old son, Hartley, traveled by wagon to Ventura to purchase wood for the building of a school. The school he built was located on the north side of the Santa Clara River near the current north approach of the Bardsdale Bridge. It was 20’ X 30’ and, depending on teacher’s estimates, either 11’, 12’, or 16’ high. This was probably near where the 1873 4th of July Celebration was held.

A few years later in 1880, the Sespe July 4th celebration was again going to be at Hercynian Grove with music by “…the Sespe songsters accompanied the vocal band of surrounding denizens; oration by Dr. S. P. Guiberson of San Buenaventura; prayer by Ari Hopper of the mountains, with “Hail Columbia” in the background; to finish with a grand prelude of “Hurrah for Horace and the Sespe.” Horace referred to newspaper man and sometime presidential candidate, Horace Greeley. Frederick Sprague was not in attendance as by this date he was in jail for the murder of T. Wallace More.

A directory from 1898 lists over seventy households in Sespe. “Farmer” was given most frequently for occupation, but there were also “oilman”, “stone cutter”, “oil pumper”, “harness maker”, and “teacher”.

The Methodist Church was built on the property near the Sespe Southern Pacific Depot which had been deeded them by the Pacific Improvement Company. In 1904, it was relocated to near the corner of Muir and Grand Avenue leaving only the depot at the original town site.

In 1894 the Sespe Post Office was established, but not within the limits laid out by the Pacific Improvement Company. Instead, it was established, “at the (railroad) switch just west of the bridge,” and would serve approximately fifty families. This would be far to the east of the planned town. The post office moved with each new postmaster and there were seven between its inception and 1908 when Lee Phillips was appointed moving the Post Office to his store. Phillips would be postmaster until 1932 when the post office was consolidated into the Fillmore Post Office.

Phillips ran the Sespe Store Sespe Avenue, later renamed Grand Avenue. His was not the first store to serve Sespe. The Sespe Cash Store, I. B. Martin, dealer in Fancy and Staple Groceries was in business in Sespe around 1902. The Ventura County Co-Operative, which also had stores in Piru and Fillmore was in business there in 1912. The store and post office would serve the farmers and ranchers in the area but also those working in the oilfields and at the brownstone quarry.

Sespe may never have grown to be the town its promoters hoped to have, but it was a community that many called home.

Fillmore High School hosted their 2021 Graduation in traditional style this year at the Fillmore High football stadium. Although they were limited as to attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were still able to make graduation a success. On Thursday, June 10th at 7pm, FHS seniors took their walk across the stage to say their final goodbyes to Fillmore High. You can view the entire graduation using this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AarhW5fgVRQ

Jahwi Angeles-Ortega, 33, Oxnard, Ca

33-year-old Jahwi Angeles-Ortega of Oxnard was arrested in March 2021 for vehicle theft in Moorpark with a toddler inside, and was apprehended with a assistance of multi-sheriff departments, including Fillmore Patrol stations. He was sentenced to two years probation and 240 days in County Jail. He was charged with felony vehicle theft, misdemeanor receiving stolen property, and misdemeanor prowling. He received 140-day credit for the 240 days as time already served plus "work time-good time" credits. He will be required to undergo substance abuse counseling and treatment among several other restrictions and requirements. At the time of his arrest, he had multiple outstanding warrants, was arrested for vehicle theft, and kidnapping but prosecutors never filled the kidnapping charge.

Summer is finally here, a time when California deer hunters are dreaming about filling their empty freezers and when ranchers are seeing a proliferation of new ground squirrel burrows plaguing their fields. Most hunters and ranchers alike use a firearm to either provide their families with wholesome game meat, or reduce the population of destructive species. In 2020 both these groups saw Assembly Bill 711 (2013) in effect for its first full year, banning the use of lead ammunition for hunting of wildlife. The legislation was aimed at addressing lead poisoning deaths in scavenging wildlife, most notably the California condor.

Multiple studies have traced a link between the use of lead ammunition and mortality in raptor populations, including bald and golden eagles. Lead has deep historical usage in hunting projectiles since it is dense, malleable, and easily mined but it tends to remain in the environment for many years. Shot lead bullets can fragment hundreds of times into an animal, especially when placed on hard tissue. The microscopic pieces left behind in unrecovered game, gut piles, or dispatched livestock become available to scavengers who unfortunately can succumb to lead poisoning.

The new restrictions aside, hunters and ranchers continue to contribute to conservation. Revenue from license and gun/ammo sales are crucial sources of funding for wildlife conservation, while the modern diets of scavengers like the condor rely almost entirely on cattle and large terrestrial game. Making the switch to non-lead provides a clean source of food for condors and other scavenging raptors that frequent the area around Fillmore, and hunters and ranchers who shoot with non-lead are some of the most important stakeholders in the recovery of California’s raptor populations.

Center and Rimfire
Following AB711, many shooters expressed concern about the effectiveness of lead-free ammunition. These concerns were founded as non-lead was unavailable in many calibers, new technology to most manufacturers, and more expensive than lead options. With the advancements in market competition, technology, and research and development non-lead is now competitive in both performance and price.

As a previous Gazette contributor pointed out, you first need to understand how alternative metals fly, then test how new rounds perform with your particular firearm. The difference between densities of lead and copper (the most common non-lead option) alters the flight path and may require resighting. Copper bullets may come with a polymer tip to improve accuracy and expansion of their copper petals such as the Barnes TTSX, Hornady GMX, Federal Trophy Copper, or Nosler E-Tip, while others have an exposed hollow point such as Sig Sauer’s Copper Elite, Barnes TSX, and the Federal Copper HP. The monolithic design undeniably has better weight retention and penetration which is crucial for quickly dispatching tough species like feral hogs or large livestock. They are all manufactured with strict specifications to consistently expand and release their energy on target.

For ranchers and hunters conducting nuisance species management or harvesting furbearers, an appropriately sized round may be available as a frangible. Frangibles are copper-jacketed and filled mainly with powdered copper alloy core to create a single entrance and release their energy rapidly. Options such as the Barnes Varmint Grenade, Hornady NTX, and Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free are excellent choices. The offerings for the old iron sight rimfire rifle now include Hornady NTX, CCI Copper-22, and Norma ECO. Although these lead alternative options are less dense and destabilize in flight at longer ranges, this is not much concern for standard rimfire hunting conditions.

Shotgun
Lead-free shotgun options have been in steady supply since 1991, when a federal ban of lead shot for the take of waterfowl was implemented. This regulation required hunters to adapt rapidly but also saved millions of ducks that had been inadvertently ingesting lead shot. Steel, the most common and cost effective alternative, is less dense but harder than lead, and has a tendency to pattern tighter. Bismuth is closest to the density of lead and tungsten is densest of them all, making them ideal for larger birds like turkey and goose. These metals are on the more expensive end and patterning is still highly recommended.

The lead-free options available for the various gauges and applications of shotguns are too numerous to mention here but the alternative metals- steel, bismuth, tungsten, or alloys of them should be tested to identify if they are conducive to your firearm. At the end of the day the firearm chooses the best performing ammunition, not the shooter. Check that your gun is rated for these harder alternatives as older models and Damascus steel barrels can get damaged. Shot sizes will also change. Steel, as a rule of thumb, should be shot one to two sizes larger than a shooter’s previous lead load, while tungsten can be shot 3 or 4 sizes smaller. A modification of choke size may be in order regardless. Note- if you find small upland loads like size 6 steel right now, congratulations on winning the California lottery.

If competing for rifle and shotgun ammo is running you ragged, many hunters are now switching to air rifles. Unlike the farm’s old Red Ryder, modern designs of pellet rifles can fire a projectile in excess of 1500 feet per second. Pellet alternatives include copper and alloys of tin, bismuth, and zinc that are capable of performing better than lead counterparts. Researching larger calibers like .22 or .25 can help you find a gun and pellet combination that matches your needs, and the best part is that they both ship without a background check right to your door! Some popular options there are Haendler & Natermann H&N Baracuda Green, Predator GTO Lead-free, and Daisy Precision Max Flat Lead-free.

Practicing at varying distances can increase confidence in your bullet choice and lead to success in any scenario. By researching rounds you see on the shelf, thoroughly cleaning guns to remove metal residue, testing multiple options, or buying a rifle with a higher twist rate you can ensure your aim stays true and your target goes down humanely. Ammunition shortages are still very real so it is in the best interest to start buying your ammunition several months ahead of season and get cozy with your local purveyor.

Hunters and ranchers- take pride in the knowledge that you are contributing to the propagation and recovery of scavenging species by shooting non-lead ammunition. You are making the recovery of species such as the California condor possible, all while continuing the sportsman’s tradition of conservation.

If you would like to learn more about the why and how of switching, visit www.huntingwithnonlead.org.

The 1937 Junior High School fire. The cause of the fire was unknown. Both high school and junior high students used the high school building for the next two years after the fire.
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Aerial photo of the high school campus circa 1938.
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The High School's lily pond.
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Fillmore High School throughout the years. (Clockwise from upper left) 1910 first high school at 2nd and Saratoga, 1911 high school at 2nd and Central, 1925 high school on Central circa 1965, and the current high school's administration building.
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Congratulations to the Class of 2021. This had to be one of the strangest school years in the history of Fillmore High School.

So what was the earliest history of Fillmore High School? The first high school opened in 1909 in a house built by Hattie (Mrs. George N.) King on the southwest corner of 2nd and Saratoga. Before that, any student wanting “higher” education had to go to high school in Santa Paula. The building on Saratoga was only used for one year. Haines Hardison, Fillmore’s third mayor, purchased the building and converted it into a dwelling.

In 1910 a new high school was built on 2nd and Central Avenue. The first graduating class was made up of Mary Cummings, Albert Wiklund, Sarah King and Mabel Arthur. The early Copa de Oros not only reported on the doings of the students, but also reported on alumni. According to the 1923 Copa de Oro, Mabel Arthur (now Cummings, she had married Mary’s older brother) was living in Long Beach as was Albert Wiklund. Sarah King (of the Piru King Family) had graduated from USC and was a missionary in Rhodesia, Africa. Mary Cummings (Jones) had sadly succumbed in the influenza pandemic as had one of the following year’s graduates, Vinnie Hinckley.

Speaking of the Copa de Oro, the first “annual” was printed in 1913 and called “El Picadillo,” meaning “Hash”. A contest was staged by the student body to find a new name for the annual. The prize would be three free annuals. Many names were submitted, but the winning name was “Copa de Oro” submitted by a freshman, Edith Moore. Edith was known as Edith Moore Jarrett when she taught Spanish at the High School, wrote a Spanish text which was used country wide for many years and founded the Fillmore Historical Museum.

Looking at the alumni from the following years, a surprising number were attending USC or other colleges and universities including Santa Barbara and Pomona. Fillmore may have been a young, small town, but its young people had high aspirations even then.

Even though the Fillmore High School had only been in existence a few years, it lost no time in excelling in sports, winning the County baseball championships in 1913-1914 and 1914-1915.

By 1924 the school at the corner of 2nd and Central was too small so a new high school was built along side the first. The new building even included an auditorium.

It was during the 1925 school year that the school nickname “Flashes” was selected. According to John Keefe, class of 1925, in a letter to the editor of the Fillmore Herald, July 14, 1988, “Barbara Barnes was on the Student Council as well as the editor of the yearbook. That was the only year the yearbook was not called the ‘Copa de Oro.’ Barbara was the one who submitted the name ‘Flash’, and the yearbook was also called ‘The Flash’.”

If you had attended Fillmore Union High School in 1931 you would have many activities to choose from. Besides the Glee Club, Orchestra, French Club, Spanish Club and sports teams, there was the Trigon Club for math enthusiasts. The Interscholastic Debating team placed second to Moorpark in the county tournament. The school did better in the Ventura County Typing Contest bringing home three trophies: the first-year cup, the second-year cup and the cup for accuracy. Dorothy Bartels, a first-year student brought home the accuracy cup with and average of 58 words per minute with only five mistakes.

In the early hours of January 21, 1937 fire broke out in the Junior High School Building. Although the cause is not known for certain it was believed to have been of electrical origin. For the next two years, the high school and junior high students both used the High School building.

In 1938 students moved into the new Science and Arts buildings which still are in use today.

In the mid-1950s both the “new” high school building and auditorium failed to meet earthquake safety standards under the Field Act and were torn down. In its place the current High School Administration building was constructed.

Over the years, additional buildings have been added with the Career Technical Education facilities under construction at this time. The buildings may change but Fillmore High School continues to prepare students for the future.

Fillmore High School graduation will stream live Thursday, June 10th at 7pm using this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AarhW5fgVRQ. Courtesy Fillmore High School website.

Photograph of a similar model to the suspect’s vehicle involved in the hit & run incident.
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On May 30, 2021, at approximately 5:51 P.M., a traffic collision occurred in the 900 block of Santa Clara Street in the City of Fillmore and the driver fled the scene. The collision was caught on video surveillance. A still photograph of the actual vehicle along with a photograph of a similar model to the suspect’s vehicle is attached.

The suspect’s vehicle was traveling westbound on Santa Clara Street, just east of Glen Way, when it collided with an unoccupied parked vehicle resulting in substantial damage. The suspect’s vehicle was identified as a newer model blue Jeep Liberty or Dodge Nitro SUV (unknown license plate). The suspect’s vehicle sustained front end damage and the suspect quickly fled the scene without reporting the accident.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance with any information regarding this crime. If you have any information, please contact Detective Pewsey at the below listed number or call the Fillmore Police Department at (805) 524-2234. The reporting party may remain anonymous.

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Request for Public’s Assistance with Hit and Run Traffic Collision
Report Number: 21-70702
Location: 900 Block of Santa Clara Street, Fillmore CA 93015
Date & Time: May 30, 2021 @ 5:51 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol / Fillmore Detective Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Unknown Unknown Unknown
Prepared by: Deputy Labbe
Approved by: Captain Garo Kuredjian

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

On Saturday, June 5th, 14 Fillmore track and field athletes traveled to Carpinteria to compete in the CIF Prelims Division 4 Championships. The 14 athletes competed in 21 individual events, and one relay. Currently both boys and girls teams are ranked as the 6 best scoring team. In order to advance to the Finals individuals and teams must finish among the top nine in all heats of their event. Tenth and eleventh qualify and may run as first or second alternate.

The boys varsity discus trio of Justice Rodriguez, Diego Meza and Joesef Vargas started the morning on a positive note by qualifying all three competitors into next Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Divisional Finals. Justice led all three athletes by posting a personal best of over six feet to finish 3rd overall with a toss of 126’ 9”. Joesef Vargas finished in 8th with a toss of 117’ 11”, and Diego Meza picked up the final qualifying spot finishing in 9th with a toss of 111’ 0”.

The girl’s discus trio also performed well. They were led by Ashley Yepez who placed 4th tossing the implement 94’ 4”. Kara Ebell finished in 7th place reaching a distance of 88’ 6”. Both Ashley and Kara qualified and will compete in the Finals. Teammate Sadie Rico finished in 11th with a throw of 79’ 6”. She will be the second alternate.

Ashley followed up her 4th place finish in the discus with a put that she muscled 28’ 6.5 inches for a tenth-place finish and earned a first alternate qualifier for the Finals.

In the boys shot put, Fillmore placed 3 athletes into next week's Finals. Nathaniel Ocegueda was our top finisher, placing 4th with a heave of 43’ 11.5”. Teammate Joesef Vargas finished in 7th tossing the iron ball 42’ 5.75 inches, and Diego Meza finished in 8th with a put of 41’ 9.75”.

Amani Hooker ran the 100 meter hurdles and placed 6th in a time of 16.95 to qualify for the Finals. She also ran the 100 meter dash and finished in 22nd place in a time of 13.40.

Alianna Tapia competed in the 1600 meters and finished in 10th place in a personal best time of 5:34.58. She will be the first alternate in this event next week. She followed that up, later in the meet by placing 17th in the 3200 meter and posted a time of 12:48.33.

Fabian Del Villar placed first in the 1600 meters, winning in a time of 4:20.87. Following close behind was teammate Rey Laureano who finished in 6th place in a personal best time of 4:29.02. Rey also ran and qualified in the 800 meters finishing in 8th place in a time of 2:04.05. Fabi also returned to capture a 3200-meter win in a time of 9:35.94. Also qualifying in this race was Camilo Torres who placed 4th in a personal best time of 9:37.72. Erick Gutierrez finished in 18th in a time of 10:27.66. This was a season best in this event for Erick. Both Rey and Fabi were double qualifiers, with Fabi posting the fastest times on the day in the 1600 meters and the 3200 meters.

The final event of the day, the boys 4 x 400 proved to be exciting and controversial. After a team disqualification, Fillmore moved in to tenth place to finish as the first alternate. Runners on that team were Rey Laureano, Camilo Torres, Juan Alfaro, and Fabian Del Villar. They posted a time of 3:44.26.

Twelve athletes will return to Carpinteria High School on Saturday, June 12th to compete in the CIF Division 4 Championships Finals. A total of 11 athletes will compete in 14 events, with several other hoping to get into the meet as first and second alternates. The meet will start at 1:00 PM.