CLOVIS - Off by himself, Serra hurdler Lloyd Sicard enjoyed his moment of glory. He clutched the CIF state boys track and field championship plaque tightly and looked at it in amazement.
"This is kind of surreal," Sicard said. "To actually hold the winning trophy this year after finishing second last year it is a completely different feeling."
It was a feeling of fulfillment. One of accomplishment. And certainly pure excitement.
The Cavaliers triumphantly climbed the podium, hammed it up for the cameras and rejoiced in achieving a goal it set last year amid the heartbreak of a two-point loss on the same field.
Serra overcame a slow start to run away with its CIF state boys crown since 2000, scoring 47 points at the CIf state finals at Buchanan High to blow past defending state champion Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks (26 points).
It allowed Serra to honor injured star Malik Roberson, who reveled in the championship as much as anyone. It
It allowed Serra to honor injured star Malik Roberson, who reveled in the championship as much as anyone. It also allowed Serra to send out retiring coach Lori Smith-Thompson with a state title.
"In the beginning, it seemed like some of the things we expected to happen were not happening, but we ended up winning by such a large margin anyway," Smith-Thompson said. "It feels good, especially after last season."
Serra already had the meet clinched going into the final event of the night - the 4x400 relay.
Yet the team of Sicard, Ronny Hall, Darrell Fuery and Adoree' Jackson gave a dazzling performance to cap off the state title, running a nation-leading 3:10.59.
"We wanted to make a statement," said Jackson, who placed second in the long jump with a 24-7.5 mark. "Our coaches told us this is the last event and this is how people remember you by. We wanted to leave everyone with a good taste in their mouths."
The team crown was highlighted by an individual state championship by Sicard in the 300 hurdles (37.06) and two relay victories.
Jackson's second-place long jump was a slight letdown, but still gave Serra valuable points. Sicard added a fourth-place finish in the 110 hurdles (14.17), and Hall added key points with a fifth-place finish in the 400 (47.19).
"It is for the team, so it means a little more," Jackson said.
When Jackson struggled - at least by his lofty standards - in the long jump and Sicard fell to fourth place in the 110 hurdles, it was Hall who held the team together at the beginning.
Hall anchored the 4x100 relay team of Sicard, Fuery and Jackson to an impressive 40.49 victory. The time tied Serra for the No. 2 mark in the nation this season.
It was a blazing anchor by Hall that allowed the conquest to begin in earnest.
"I knew I had to get out and hold it down for us," Hall said. "It was the best handoff for me and Adoree' all year. He might start slow on the handoff, but he gets up on you very quickly."
Then Hall delivered a personal-best mark in the 400 meters. He was still fifth in the senior-laden field, but it was another positive sign for the Cavaliers.
"That was my best 400 I've ever ran," Hall said.
Jackson had entered as the defending state champion in the long jump. But he expressed frustration with each of his first three jumps - a 24-2.5, a 24-5 and a 24-7.5.
Jackson had been shooting for a 26 or at the very least a 25. And after he went to run in the 4x100, Castro Valley's Nate Moore had taken the lead with a 24-11.75 mark.
When Jackson came back and learned he had six minutes to get his last three attempts in for the long jump.
"We had just run our hearts out in the 4x100, and then they gave me six minutes for three jumps. It was crazy. It wasn't enough rest," Jackson said.
Jackson didn't get the big mark he wanted, but he patted Moore on the back on the podium in a tremendous show of sportsmanship.
"I gave him a quick congratulations," Jackson said. "I did not know him, but he got it today."
Though her points did not count for the Serra boys, senior Chimere Ezumah also enjoyed a triumphant return to Buchanan.
Ezumah secured a second-place finish in the 400 meters in 54.15, returning to the state podium for the first time since winning the state 400 crown as a freshman.
"I think I could've closed a little harder, but it had been a rough season, and I'm blessed to have the ending I had," the Virginia-bound Ezumah said. "It's a good way to put a stamp on my career."
Ultimately Ezumah joined the celebration.
And there was Lloyd, by himself on the podium, clutching the plaque.
"It might be made of wood, but to me, it represents the sacrifice we all made together," Sicard said.