MOORPARK— Geffen Academy at UCLA sophomore Lila N. became the school’s first athlete to compete at the CIF Southern Section Track and Field Championship Finals on Saturday.

Racing in the girls 800m competition at Moorpark High School, she clocked a 2:26.56, earning sixth place to cement herself among the top middle distance runners in the region. Earlier this month, Lila set a new Bruin record in the same event (2:24.17). She also helped Geffen Academy shatter a benchmark in the girls 4x400m relay (4:23.24) at the CIF-SS prelims at Carpinteria High School.

The sixth place finish earned 3 points, making Lila the first Bruin to compete and earn points at a CIF-SS Track and Field Final.

“Lila has elevated our program in a tremendous way this season,” Program Director Nelson Aviles said. “Breaking school records and competing among the best runners in Southern California is a remarkable achievement, but she is also a captain and leader on our team that other athletes look up to. We believe this is only the beginning for her.”