Two Del Norte High track and field records that had stood the test of time for more than half a century were snapped Friday within minutes of each other.

At a meet in Mount Shasta, Sebastian Espinoza launched the shot put 55 feet, 2 ½ inches, eclipsing the Warrior record held by Loren Schendel of 54-3 ¾ set in 1974.

On the track, Ron Otremba’s 1971 school record in the 400 meters of 50.54 was topped for the first time as junior Landon Balent came through in a record-breaking 49.84 seconds.

How old were those records? Richard Nixon was president when both were set. A gallon of gas costs 36 cents a gallon. And the No. 1 song of 1971 was “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night.

Espinoza, a senior, had a feeling the record was within his reach. He just needed that one perfect throw.

At Mount Shasta, competitors were given just three opportunities to throw the shot. Espinoza's first two tosses were just shy of 50 feet. Encouraged by the crowd, he smoothly launched his final try well beyond the 50-foot mark.

However, because officials only had a 50-foot tape measure handy, Espinoza had to wait until another tape was brought in to confirm the distance.

“There was so much anticipation,” he said. “All the work has been worth it.”

Balent had barely missed the 400-meter school mark several times this season. On Friday, running in 70-degree weather and against high-end competition, he erased the 55-year-old record, finishing second in the race.

“This feels great,” Balent said. “I’ve been wanting this since my freshman year. It feels great to be part of Del Norte history.”

Balent wants to continue breaking the record, with his ultimate goal of making the California State Championship meet.

Del Norte won the boys’ meet by a comfortable margin, while the Warrior girls came in a respectable third.

Del Norte scored big points thanks to Jason Murphy (first) in the pole vault, the 4-by-100 relay team (first), Espinoza (first) in the discus, Nicholas Rodriguez (second) in the long jump and (third) in the triple jump, Michael Haapala (third) in the 800, and Luke Padilla (third) in the 3,200.

On the girls’ side, Melody Brennan took home the Warriors’ lone victory, winning the discus. Annabelle White was second in the triple jump, Aurora Mitchell was second in the shot put. Taking second in the 400 and third in the 200 was Kalayla Robinson. Jeana Erler finished third in the high jump.

On Tuesday, the Humboldt-Del Norte League’s White Star trials will be held at Mike Whalen Field. Competitors in the 100, 200, 400 and the hurdles races will seek one of the top nine spots, allowing them to advance to the HDN championships Saturday in Crescent City.