About $10,000 of Cal High athletic equipment was destroyed last month when vandals tore up lacrosse nets and high jump landing pads.

Luckily, school administrators have some leads of who vandalized the equipment near the football field on March 30 after an anonymous informant provided a name of a student to the office.

The school was offering a $150 reward for any information that leads to the capture of anyone involved.

Campus Officer John Cranford is investigating the crime, and said anyone arrested for the vandalism could be charged with a felony because of the amount of damage caused.

“I’m pissed off at whoever did this,” said sophomore Jesse Gandt, a member of the track team.

Consequences for this degree of vandalism can include up to a year of jail time or juvenile hall if the convicted offenders are minors, and a fine of $10,000.

It is believed the vandals were drinking as the football field had been littered with dozens of empty beer cans.

Athletic director Dave Kravitz said members of the community have expressed the desire to donate money to help replace the damaged equipment.

“I am extremely disappointed in the behavior of these individuals,” said Kravitz. “They have something lacking in their character that they feel the need to destroy our equipment.”

Scott Corso, assistant coach of the women’s lacrosse team, was also upset.

“The nets were put in place to protect the track athletes from lacrosse balls during practices and games,” said Corso.

Corso said the vandals also attempted to burn the flag-pole banners around campus.

“The balls go through the net and we have to chase after them slowing down practices and games,” said freshman lacrosse player Morgan Taylor.  “It’s extremely frustrating that they would do something like this.  It’s so expensive.”

The school custodians have tried to temporarily repair the lacrosse nets by using plastic ties to keep them together until new nets are purchased.

Monte Vista High School loaned Cal some of its high jump landing pads to replace the old ones.

“We just ordered covers (for the pads), so we didn’t have to drag out the heavy pads every time,” Gandt said. “Now we can’t use them because of this.”

Sophomore lacrosse player David Law also was upset about the vandalism.

“I really hate it when people do stuff like this because it only damages things, unlike a graffiti mural which can actually look good if done right,” said Law.

The community support for the track and lacrosse team has been welcomed by the track and lacrosse teams.

“I appreciate all the support from the team members and families, and I hope the vandals will be caught soon,” track and field executive coach Mark Karbo said.

The insurance for the high jump pads will cover costs to replace them, Karbo said.