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Arcadia Invite Previews
April 11-12 - Girls
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2008 Arcadia Invitational
Doug Speck - Editor DyeStatCal
Preview Written late last week for program, and does not reflect 4/5 weekend results
Girls 100 Meters
 
photos by Photo Run.net and Greg Smotherman
(left) Ashton Purvis (St. Elizabeth) in action at the World Youth Championships this past sumer
(right) Yasmin Woodruff leads the charge against the talented soph Purvis
Led by Ashton Purvis (St. Elizabeth, Oakland) the Arcadia century event will once again feature a super group, with five State sections and the best from the Pacific Northwest represented in the blocks. Purvis last year had as decorated a season as any ninth grader in US History, with World age bests highlighting a season that ended with a Gold Medal at the World Youth, under age-18 championships. Purvis returns at a blazing 11.40, and was just edged last year here by Cherelle Garrett in one of their furious struggles, so Ashton hopes to take home a winner’s watch by seriously stomping on those from around the state interested in upsetting the dash pecking order this go-round. Yasmin Woodruff (St. Mary’s) was third here last year and has run 12.07, with San Diego’s best Vanessa Houston (Hoover) 11.97w last week, the Central Section’s leader Megan Del Pino (Clovis West) 12.17 this past weekend. Angela Gradiska (Pinewood) is a small star from the CCS, with vet Erin Reid (Poly, Long Beach) very solid, and Valexia Droughn (Rio Mesa) a frosh age-group star settling in nicely at the prep ranks. Washington’s best Kelly Jacka (Bellarmine Prep, Tacoma) hopes to follow in the footsteps of alum Brie Felnagle, who blasted the locals over the mile distance here in 2005 in quite impressive style.
Girls 200 Meters
Ashton Purvis (St. Elizabeth) showed some fine fitness this winter, and cruises into the spring ready to roll at half a lap. With a short indoor season compared to the East Coast types, Purvis marked her annual trip to New York this March for the National Scholastic Indoor with a soph Indoor National Record 200 of 23.43 to go along with the Frosh National Best she set last year. The powerful Bay Area star is probably more dangerous over 200 meters; with the start not quite the issue, the nation’s top rated half-lapper is ready to defend her title here. As in the 100, the State’s pecking order will start to fall into place here, with six sections from around the state and one out-of-stater in the blocks. State Meet fifth placer and fellow soph Jessica Davis (Highland, Palmdale) is among the nation’s top half dozen at 23.64 during a stunning 2007 season of improvement, with a good 2008 start. She nipped Hawaiian Kailea Tracy (Seabury Hall) during a spring break trip to the islands, with Tracy here also at the starting line. Yasmin Woodruff took the greater Los Angeles area’s best last weekend at the Pasadena Games, with Vanessa Houston (Hoover, San Diego) 24.43w while winning at Mt. Carmel, and Rancho Bernardo’s Tenille Stoudenmire hoping for a second shot at her local rival and the field after at second in that competition. Megan Del Pino (Clovis West) has been very sharp this spring in the Central Section area at 24.3, with Angela Gradiska (Pinewood) a Central Coast flyer with the #4 time statewide for the year at 24.83, and Sara Snipes (Oak Ridge) the Sac Joaquin leader this spring off a 24.96 run and fine Simplot Indoor meet in Idaho.
Girls 400 Meters
 
photos by Spencer Allen and Doug Speck
(left) Jasmine Joseph - (rt) Akawkaw Ndipagbor - Long Beach Poly one lappers go at it!
The one lap event will be a classic with all the state’s main actors coming together in an early April showdown of conditioning! Defending State Champ Jasmine Joseph (LB Poly) 53.15 will face a bevy of flyers led by teammate Akawkaw Ndipagbor, the nation’s top middle school long dasher last year with an impressive 53.73 eighth grade best. State Meet placers Angelica Weave (Rancho Cucamonga) 54.14 and Brittany Harper (Calabasas) 55.14 have shown their strength in 2006 as #3 and #4 on the State lists currently, with New York star Brianna Cromartie (Aquinas Institute of Rochester) one of the nation’s best over 300 meters this past winer at 39.99, sure to stir the mix up front. Thandi Stewart (Logan) cranked 54.90 last year and was 55.58 two weeks back, with Kristen Houp (Valley Christian, San Jose) 55.71 indoors this winter for seventh in the National Scholastic Champs. Area small schools star Carlyle Davis (Marlborough) and Donnise Powell (Logan, Union City) are low 56 second runners who will add to the quality of the field.
Girls 800 Meters
 
photos by Greg Smotherman - Smotherman Images.com and Kirby Lee - Image of Sport.com
(left) Anja DiSiena (Fountain Valley) and Anniya Louis (Culver City) lead the charge of the sub 2:10 800 stars
The two lap event will feature a gathering of the State’s best, a flock of sub-2:10 flyers with five who have placed in the State meet over the last two years. Golden Staters Anja Disiena (Fountain Valley) third in State at 2:09.54, Anniya Louis (Culver City) fifth, with a 2:09.16 best, Megahn Foley (Edison, HB) 2:10.47 and seventh State placing, and Jordan Diaz (Leigh) 2:11.96 for eighth are joined by Mia Lattanzi (Palo Alto) 2:09.61 and second from two years ago. It will be a formidable up-front pack. Brazile Clark (Bishop O’Dowd) blazed 2:11.12 indoors for sixth in the National Scholastic Meet in March, with Utah star Chloe Calton (Ogden) and Westfield of Virginia flyers Kerry Hartman and Brittany Sevachko making for a great field. Keep an eye on Camilla Dencer (West Valley Christian) who soloed 2:13.79 early last month and has interesting range as she's also a State Meet fourth placer in the High Jump at 5-07!
Girls One Mile Run
 
photos by Margaret Gallagher and John Dye
(left) Christine Babcock (Woodbridge) ready for big senior spring - Candace Eddy (Davis, Ut)
sub 4:50 here last year
The nation’s quickest four-lapper, Christine Babcock (Woodbridge, Irvine) hopes to start her march through the record books this spring with a big effort over the Mile at Arcadia. At the #8 position All-Time among US Preps with her converted 4:38.85 solo 1600 meter effort in winning state last June, the Orange County senior ended her fall harrier season right after state to ready for the Olympic year on the oval. The Prep All-Time best of 4:35.24 for a full mile, interestingly set twenty-five years ago by Irvine School District student Polly Plumer (University HS, Irvine), should be square in Christine's sights. Babcock was much improved this fall in Cross-Country, with no reason to not continue the improvement this spring in Track. A strong group will support Babcock in this event, with 2007 Arcadia third placer at 4:49.77 for a mile, Candace Eddy (Davis, Utah, the nation’s #9 miler back) raring to go in some good weather, and '07 fifth finisher here, Shelby Buckley (Corona del Mar) 4:45.39 last year for 1600 meters as the nation’s #5 returnee. The depth is, as usual, very deep. Claire Collison (Crescenta Valley) is among the nation’s top dozen back over four laps with her 4:50.39 1600 meter best, with Nicole Cochran (Bellarmine Prep) Washington’s best at 4:53.88, and Florida distance ace Emilie Amaro (Cypress Bay) 4:55.84. Expect a ton of personal bests, with Virginian Tasia Potasinksi (Westfield), Alexandra Dunne (San Clemente), and Erin Gillingham (Torrey Pines) all having won recent races at under 5 minute equivalents and looking for some good competition,
Girls 2 Mile
 
photos by Margaret Gallagher
(left) Jordan Hasay going for three straight two mile titles at Arcadia
(rt) Laurynne Chetelat just back from top-30 finish at World Cross Country
California’s ‘darling of the long distances,’ Jordan Hasay (Mission Prep) looks to continue her undefeated string over eight laps at Arcadia into her junior year, with the crowd hopefully helping to inspire her and the field looking to be something special. Since we last saw Jordan here, she has ventured out in track meets as far as eastern Europe, where she was second to a strong Kenyan duo in the World Youth (under 18) World Championships over 1500 meters. An intriguing group is entered along with Jordan. Ashley Brasovan (Holy Trinity Academy, Florida), winner of the December Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego, is on the entry list and hopefully can overcome winter injury problems to toe the line and bring her slashing racing style and 10:13.45 3200 credentials to the party. Christine Babcock (Woodbridge) raced a stunning 4:45.42-10:15.54 16-3200 double last May and may drop the four lap event here to give the longer distance a singular effort. Laurynne Chetelat (Davis) is just back from the World Cross-Country Championships, where she was twenty-ninth in the entire World at the “under-20" junior level, with the 10:23.31 star (#7 returnee US) having taken her whole running act to another level this year. The quality depth continues, with Emily Sisson (Omaha Marian, Nebraska) 10:29.97 two miles and Emilie Amaro (Cypress Bay, Fl) 10:32.39, along with Californians Jacque Taylor (Casa Grande, Petaluma) 10:34.39, Kaylin Mahoney (Saugus) 10:36.51, and the always tough Kauren Tarver (Serrano) potentially making this one of the deepest prep eight lap events in regular season history.
100 Meter Hurdles
photo by Joy Kimani
Julian Purvis (St. Elizabeth) here on the way to a Gold Medal in the World Youth (under age 18) Championships
13.32 for second at State last year
One does not look at the yearly returning list, but rather the All-Time US historical prep listing of short distance girls hurdles to sense the quality of our current crop of timber toppers. Vashti Thomas (Mt. Pleasant, San Jose) has come down with a slight injury, but the field is still loaded!! The road to the top of the victory stand will be not be an easy one, with a very talented group challenging. Julian Purvis (St. Elizabeth, Oakland) sits among the top dozen US Prep Hurdlers of All-Time with her 13.32 runner-up State Meet run, was second at the National Scholastic Indoor in March over the 60 Meter Hurdle distance and she won the World Youth (under 18) Championships last summer. Dahlys Marshall (Valley Christian, San Jose) gives the State three of the nation’s four best Hurdles back off her 13.66 fourth place State Meet run. Talented Bianca Stewart (Logan, Union City) is not going to be left out of the party, with a blazing 2008 clocking of 13.85 that currently sits as the US’s #2 Prep time of the spring season. Golde Ibia (Evergreen Valley) is among the top ten in the country with a 13.99 best, with Kori Carter (Claremont) a state finalist last spring as a frosh and sub-14 with the wind, leading the challenge to the frightening Northern California crew in this event.
300 Meter Hurdles
 
photos by Spencer Allen and Doug Speck
(left) London Finley (St. Mary's, Inglewood) 42.15 best among the nation's best off her 2007 State runner-up effort
Kori Carter (Claremont) surprised with a 42.69 at the California Relays from Lane 2 - Nation's #2 time of Year for 2008
A great group that will be the best gathering of Long Hurdlers so far this year in the nation will battle here. London Finley (St. Mary’s, Inglewood) was second at State last June at 42.15 and rates as one of the nation’s best. Kori Carter (Claremont), sixth in State last year in this event, is #2 Nationally in 2008 off an impressive 42.69 run out of Lane 2 in the California Relay. April Tate (Carter, Rialto) was 42.98 and fourth last year at State. Angelica Weaver (Rancho Cucamonga) toyed with the 400 Hurdles last summer in age-group action, and emerged as the World’s best at her fifteen years of age over that distance for 2007 at 58.73. She has raced 44.42 this year over the 300 Meter barriers and can go faster. Shaquana Logan of probably the Northwest US’s strongest team, Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma, was 43.30 to win the State 4A title last May, with Britt’nay Crabb (Rancho Cucamonga) giving her school two super hurdlers off a 43.53 best in a win here last April.
High Jump
 
photos by Neil Neilson and Spencer Allen
(left) Ashley Smith (Millikan) has been over 5-09 in the High Jump
Adrienne Johnson (Carondelet) is a 5-08 jumper
The State’s top four High Jumpers for the year will battle, led by Ashley Smith (Millikan, Long Beach), runner-up at the State meet last June and among the Nation’s Top Ten jumpers with her 5-09 best. Tied for fifth at last June’s State title meet with 5-08 2008 bests were sophs Tara Richmond (Long Beach Poly) and Adrienne Johnson (Carondelet), with Central Coast Section star Kristin Rambach (Los Altos) jumping 5-08 this spring and CCS Champ and State Finalist Kristin Dolbec (Saratoga) looking to up her 5-06 best. Langley Iverson (Galena, Reno, NV) is a three-time state champ and gives the field five over 5-08 with her best there. Karen Han (Arcadia) and Lauren Crockett (Ogden, Utah) were placers in the National JO Championships locally last summer at 5-07.
Pole Vault
photo by Andrew McClanahan
Emily Mattoon (Rancho Bernardo) 13-footer is among the nation's best
A group of super vaulters will gather here. Emily Mattoon is among the nation’s top half dozen in the event with her lofty 13-00 best, off to a fine start to her 2008 season with a 12-07 mark (equal #3 in US so far in 2008) from mid-March. Arizonans Shaylah Simpson, from the strong Desert Vista HS program from Phoenix was the State Meet of Champions winner there last May at 12-00, and 12-footer Cara Carpenter (Moutain View, Mesa) was the 5A State Champ in 2007. Brooke Arthur (Mater Dei, Santa Ana) has been over 12-00 already this spring in local dual meet action, marking her among the nation’s top dozen so far this season. Upstart frosh Carissa Culver (Los Alamitos) has already been over 11-07 during dual meet action, with some great competition here for the first year star.
Long Jump
photos by Doug Speck
Karynn Dunn (Diamond Ranch) had a 20-06.5w to lead the country's returnees under all conditions!
It is bombs away here as the nation’s best go at it. Karynn Dunn (Diamond Ranch) was 20-06.5 wind-aided last year and is the longest returnee nationally under any conditions. Vashti Thomas was third at State, with Dunn two inches behind in fourth, so they are familiar with each other. The Northwest’s top jumper is along, with Curtis, Washington star Andrea Geubelle a 19-07 leaper in 2008. Ashtynn Baltimore (Marlborough), another top hurdler/jumper, was sixth at State last June with a 19-04.75 best, with Alitta Boyd (Moreau, Hayward) a 19-03.25 2007 leaper, and Arizona star Samantha Collins (Westwood, Mesa) 19-00 and the State Meet of Champs winner in 2007. Over 19-00 in 2008 are super frosh star Ciarra Brewer (Logan, Union City) at 19-04 (#3 US for the spring), with Alycia Herring (Rancho Verde, Moreno Valley) a 19-00 jumper. This is a great field with the results much anticipated as the group battles for medals.
Triple Jump
  
photos by Doug Speck
Briana Stewart (Logan) - Alitta Boyd (Moreau) - Amanda Hunter (Marlborough) all 41-footers in the Triple Jump
A bombing group from California return as the top group ever back in one state in US Prep history, all with bests of over 41 feet and super competitive records. A couple in the group are off to great starts in 2008 and this is a field event worth paying close attention to. Briana Stewart (Logan, Union City) has a 41-08.5 lifetime best, Alitta Boyd (Moreau, Hayward) 41-02.75 this spring, and Amanda Hunter (Marlborough) 41-02.25 from 2007. Stewart is a top hurdler, with a 13.85, the nation’s #2 clocking there, and she was the National Junior Olympic titlist last summer locally at 41-08.5. Alitta Boyd has stretched out to a personal best 41-02.75 already this spring, and looks poised for a bigger effort this weekend. Amanda Hunter was eighth last year at State (Thomas second and Stewart fourth there last June if you are keeping score) with a 41-02.25 best, making the battle for the top three here obviously very torrid! The quality in the event is far from over at this point, with super frosh Ciarra Brewer (Logan) 40-00 as the nation’s #3 outdoor jumper this spring, and Fabrina Espinoza (Wilson, Long Beach) #5 in the US for 2008 at 39-05. LA City Champ Starasia Childs was 39-11w last spring, with Melissa Keltner (Chino Hills) 39-06.5w, and Karynn Dunn (Diamond Ranch) learning the event and out to 39-00.5 two weeks back, making this one of the deepest Girls Triple Jump fields in US history.
Shot Put
 
photos by Shafter HS and Greg Smotherman - Smotherman Images.com
(left) Anna Jelmini the National Discus Leader and also a top Shot Putter
Destanie Yarbrough (Clovis East) was fifth at State in 2007
National Discus Throw leader Anna Jelmini (Shafter) is also a super Shot Putter, with the improved Central Section star sitting among the nation’s top ten for the 2008 season in the event at 45-06.5. Anna was seventh in last year’s State Meet, with Destanie Yarbrough (Clovis East) the top returnee from that competition in fifth with a 44-07 best. Washington’s Anna Albrecht (Pullman) was the State 2A Champ at 44-0 there last May. Kayla Kovar (Burroughs, Ridgecrest) was serious in this event over the summer and was out to 44-07 in addition to her Discus exploits. Rachal Hammer (Buhach Colony) was sixth at the California State Meet with a 43-02 best, with Brandy Dyer (Vista) a State Finalist at 41-11. Stephanie Aliimatafitafi (Paramount) had a fine 43-09 2007 best and was fourth in the Southern Section Championship meet, with Utah’s Nicole Knighton (Bountiful) 42-08.5 already this spring while things are still thawing out, and Jackie Ahloo (St. Mary’s, Stockton) a nice 42-06.5 in recent weeks. A ton of people are here way past forty feet so it will be a great competition.
Discus
 
photos by Collatz Family and Doug Speck
Alex Collatz (Stockdale, Bakersfield) super start to her frosh year with 159-04 throw
Kayla Kovar (Burroughs, Ridgecrest) is among the nation's best with a 155-05 best mark in the Discus
Anna Jelmini (Shafter) exploded off the basketball court and has had a series of great throws in March competitions under all conditions, topped by a 172-08 National Leader. She has been kept honest locally by super frosh Alex Collatz (Stockdale, Bakersfield), who shocked with early efforts topped by a 159-04 that is currently the nation’s #3 mark in the event. Kayla Kovar (Burroughs, Ridgecrest) is the nation’s #6 returnee at 155-05 and was one place behind Jelmini at State last June at fifth, so the duo will rekindle an old rivalry with Kayla out looking for 2008 competition. Anna Albrecht (Pullman, Wash) was the State 2A Champ at 145-06 last May, with Heather Snyder (Saugus) 143-05 and Samantha Gutierez (Temescal Canyon) 141-09 ranked among the top dozen in the nation for 2008 with their efforts. With magic in the Discus ring at Arcadia through the decades, including four national records (one still standing-- the 234-03 by Niklas Arrhenius from Utah in 2001 that may never fall), history could be added this evening with a deep and talented group.
Girls Relays
4x100 Meter
The State’s pecking order will be sorted out as the top seven squads on the State yearly list will be battling across the middle of the facility! Long Beach Poly was the State runner-up last year, with the Jackrabbits probably intent on establishing 2008 superiority at the start of Saturday evening’s Invitational portion of the meet with another big win here. They lead the state at 46.76 from two weeks back, with St. Mary’s of Inglewood (47.06) taking a Pasadena Games showdown that featured rival Long Beach Wilson (47.33) and small schools upstart Paraclete (Lancaster). Rancho Verde flew to the State title last June, and the talented Mustangs are working on a best 2008 combination of forces. LA City power Birmingham, North Coast speedsters Logan, and a young, talented Rio Mesa crew can all run very, very fast.
4x200
The current National Record, a more than half-a-second destruction of the record set in Texas as they do it through their State Meet, was set here at 1:33.87 by Long Beach Poly in 2004. An interesting part of Friday’s relay action is where teams decide to place their athletes with the ‘Burnin’ Batons’ session giving coaches with stars a ton of options. Some good groups will toe the line here, with Poly, the State’s leading 4x100 team at 46.76 capable of flying here also. St. Mary’s of Inglewood took Long Beach Wilson at the Rancho Verde Relays 1:39.77-1:40.07, early season times which still hold up as #7 and #8 in the entire US for the year. North Coast power Hercules has been very sharp lately and could challenge up front here, with Centennial (Compton) winners at the Gahr Relays back in very early March in a good time.
4x400
At the end of a long weekend, just like at the close of an end-of-season championship competition, the great teams find a way to bring it in the four-by-one-lap relay. In a tremendously emotional weekend, the powers still bring their pride at the end of the show for this event. California squads went 1-2 at the National Scholastic Indoor Meet in New York in mid-March, with a club group from Long Beach Poly the 3:49.85 winners, and South Bay Track Club, with a Valley Christian (San Jose) core second at 3:50.41. Outdoors Long Beach Wilson has blazed 3:50.33, with a number of other squads capable of running very fast. Names like Deer Valley, Hercules, Rancho Cucamonga, St. Mary’s, and James Logan coupled with rising Paraclete make this potentially a barn-burner!
4x800
Friday afternoon’s action usually starts with nation-leading efforts, as amazingly deep middle distance programs bring their athletes together with a baton. The absolute prep standard of excellence, 9:00 or a 2:15 average, that has been met by less than thirty squads in US High School history may be pressed here with some great groups along. Westfield High School of Chantilly, Virginia was one of the nation’s best indoors this past winter at 9:07.70, with 2:12 star Tasia Potasinski and 2:14 flash Kerry Hartman leading Coach Scott Raczko’s squad. The Coach’s name may ring a bell, as he still mentors Alan Webb, with Alan’s 4:01 mile here from 2001 on the way to his prep record 3:53.43 a product of Raczko’s program while a Virginia prep. Defending Champions Xavier Prep of Arizona was a blazing 8:57.81 last year as the nation’s #4 team outdoors, with 2:11 star Sarah Penney and 4:56 miler Jessica Tonn leading the talented 2008 squad. Corona del Mar (Newport Beach) has Shelby Buckley 2:09.66, Allison Damon 2:11.72, and Kim Condino 2:17.59 heading one of California’s top groups for the contest, with Long Beach Poly bringing Tia Leake 2:12.42 and talented frosh Dynasty Gammage 2:15.35 leading a talented squad. Great Oak has Kaitlyn Malloy 2:17 leading a good foursome, with Callie Mulgannon 2:15.37 of Los Gatos heading a deep squad. Edison (Huntington Beach) can draw Meghan Foley 2:10.47 and Hillary Hayes 4:52 1600 up front, so the contest will fly!
4x 1 Mile
Another frightening crew will send the stat types running for the all-time record lists, with the late Friday evening air usually perfect for this dynamite contest featuring a number of strong squads. The Golden State’s best-ever Cross Country squad from Saugus High School this fall has rolled into the spring in fine style, with frosh Kaylin Mahoney and Katie Dunn both running systematic sub-5:00 1600 clockings two weeks back at the Pasadena Games. Anne Randall (5:06.08) and Nina Moore (5:08.45) would appear the next two for Saugus, with Coach Rene Paragas having seven athletes who are capable of sub-5:15 efforts. The California all-time best is 20:20.38 by Corona del Mar from 2005. A talented group is not just going to hand the title to Saugus, with Westfield (Chantilly, Virginia) Tasia Potasinski 4:59 this winter and Kerry Hartman 5:01 last spring to lead their charge. Crescenta Valley has Claire Collison 4:50.39 and Rachel Lange 5:02.8 and improving back-up, with La Costa Canyon Katy Andrews 4:56.43, improved Paige Rackley and Courtney Clark. Davis (Sac Joaquin Section) has Laurynne Chetelat leading a talented squad, with Oak Park Courtney Lightfoot and Melissa Skiba on top. Lutheran (Orange) can draw on Stacy Foster 4:59 along with frosh stars Taylor Williams and Eva Kent, Great Oak has Abby Gallher 5:11 leading a deep crew, with Cross Country power Trabuco Hills Kristin Arkin leading a capable squad. Almost everyone else in the Invitational field has a super distance program and this could be one of prep history’s deepest races ever.
Shuttle Hurdles
Ridgewood, New Jersey won the National Scholastic Indoor Shuttle Hurdles event this winter, with Brianna Stewart 13.85 and Victoria Johnson 14.51 heading a fine James Logan team from the Bay area. Mission Viejo, led by Chelsea Taylor, leads the state at 1:05.68 off their Earl Engman Relays win, with Murrieta Valley’s Amber Middleton and Katy Hall leading a 1:06.8 team that won the Rancho Verde Relays.
800 Sprint Medley
Another squashing of the National Record took place here in 2003, with record setters Long Beach Poly still two seconds ahead of anyone else in history off their 1:38.73 run. This year’s event is the one that Mike Kennedy of Track and Field News picks as his ‘darkhorse event of quality,’ as the field contains teams that have run five of the nation’s top six times for the year, with others who can threaten for the win! James Logan leads the nation at 1:44.95 off their Percy Knox Invite win, with Rancho Verde #2 nationally off their early March RV Relays 1:46.01 run. Wilson (Long Beach), with dangerous State 400 placer Angele Cooper probably on the anchor, is #4 nationally at 1:46.90, with St. Mary’s (Inglewood) #5 in the country at 1:47.24, and Monterey Trail #6 in the US at 1:47.43. Bishop O’Dowd has a team that can challenge at the front end of the talented field.
1600 Medley Relay
Another fine group graces this event, with the yearly top marks lists, nationally and statewide, assuredly ungoing a huge revision after some good teams are finished here. James Logan can draw on a deep program for leaders here, with Thandi Stewart 54.90 and Jamie Hardy 2:11 800 capable of challenging all the records if they weight this event down. Long Beach Wilson has State 400 placer Angele Cooper and a quality squad to load up on, with Centennial of Compton Robinea McClendon anchoring a talented group of short dashers. Laura Meadors has run 2:11 for 800 meters and can anchor Harvard-Westlake, with Ridgewood (New Jersey) a fine 4:12.09 indoors this winter, and Claremont the current State leader at 4:13.05.
Distance Medley Relay
Some great squads will gather for this contest, with a program or two that focuses on relays here capable of racing very, very fast. Corona del Mar has recent great tradition, with Shelby Buckley, a 4:45 1600 runner and 2:11 800 star Allison Damon leading the 2008 version. Davis HS possibly counters with Laurynne Chetelat on the anchor and Christine Bowlus and others steadily developing this spring. Torrey Pines has sub 5 minute miler Erin Gillingham, Allie Billmeyer and Megan Moore strong this spring, with Woodbridge possibly dangerous if Christine Babcock is on the anchor, and Edison possibly drawing on 2:10 800 star Megan Foley and 4:52 miler Hillary Hayes. Esperanza, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Buena Vista, Great Oak, Gunn, Los Gatos, Dana Hills, Chaparral, Fountain Valley, O’Connor (Az) and Redlands all had super fall cross country programs and the ability to race under 12:30 here in a very talented field.
DyeStatCal.com
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