Leonel Manzano 4:06.29

photos and text by Ricky Quintana

lap 1	lap 2
lap 3	finish

First of all, the Texas officials really know how to run races. They used
three waterfall starts instead of one. The runners were able to get out of
their allies wit no problem. The first 200m was a quick 28. Tommy Colven
lead the charge. By 400m, the pace hadn't slowed much as Culven hit 59.4.
The lead pack was still with him, though they were single file because of
the fast pace. Colven continued to lead as Kyle Miller began to make his way
to his heels. They were 2:03.2, 63.8, at 800m. There were four to five
runners still in it at that point. Manzano hung back trailing the lead back.
At 1200m, Miller went to work. He kept the pace honest with a 64.5, 3:07.6.
Manzano followed and with his overstriding style came up on Miller. His
style is decieving because depsite his small stature, his legs do not
turnover that quickly. It is pure power. He pulled up on Miller with 250 to
go and then kept up the pressure with a 31 second 200m. From there he
continued to power on to finish in an awesome 4:06.29. His last 200m was 37
and his last 400m was 58! Miller held on to run a personal best of 4:09.06.

Kyle Miller
" I was really nervous going into it. With all these people.. it's the Texas
Relays. Everyone gets kind of nervous. The heat was a little bit of a
factor. I was really excited going into it. After everyone was running 4:10,
I wanted to get into the mix. I came out and ran my race. But Leonel, he
comes with 300 to go. You never know he's there. When he gets you, he just
goes. I tried to stick with him, but with 200 to go, he just took off. I was
trying. He has one good kick. He's a really good runner.
I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a 4:03 or something. That kid, he's
awesome. He's unbelievable. I'm not surprised at all by his time. I knew he
could do it.
I feel really good. I tried to take the lead 400m into it. I got good
position. I took the lead with two to go. Almost one to go and tried to push
it, but then Leonel just came up on me. I felt like I ran a really good
race. I feel I ran pretty good. I had a good time. I'm very very satisfied."

Leonel Manzano
" I didn't think my indoor meet was too good. It was my first meet of my
season. I didn't think I did that bad. Referring back to last year, I was
running a whole lot slower. I was playing soccer, but my interest revolves
all around track. I quit soccer and got a new truck so I'm trying to pay
that off. I haven't planned on giving up track yet.
I think I'm a whole lot better this year than last year. I usually try to
improve at least 5 seconds in every event I do. This year, it went great
for me and I did it. [Any doubt] Actually, I did. I thank my parents and my
coaches. They always believe in me. One of my weaknesses is that I don't
believe in myself. Even if I do well, I usually don't believe in myself. The
thing is my coach is always there, believing in me. I guess that's what
makes up for my weakness.
On my third lap I was thinking I needed to push it. Before the last lap, I
knew I needed to pick it up and hopefully get in the lead. What happened is
that Kyle Miller got in front of me. I guess he knew my strategy was going
to be. He went out there and didn't break. He's quite a competitor and I
guess he knew what he was doing. I was right behind him on that curve and
that's what helped him out. I decided that instead of going at the 400, I
was going to try to get him with 300 to go. And that's what I did. I was
thinking of running, hopefully, a 58, and that's what happened.
I'm a little more mature than last year. Everybody grows and matures more.
Everything just gets better.
[On the 3200m] My expectations aren't too high. I just want to run a good
time. Last year, I went to state in the mile and two mile and won both of
them. My best time was a 9:07 and in the mile it was 4:11. This year, I'm
thinking of dropping the two mile and running the 800m. The reason for that
is to improve my speed.

Boys 1600 Meter Run High School
 1, Leonel Manzano, Marble Falls, 4:06.29M. 2, Kyle Miller, Cinco Ranch, 
 4:09.06M. 3, Pete Janson, Highland Park, 4:10.52S. 4, Mitch Sanders, Cypress 
 Falls, 4:13.23. 5, Scott MacPherson, Plano, 4:14.90. 6, Charles Hampton, 
 Brophy Coll Prep, 4:15.20. 7, Tommy Colven, Dallas Jesuit, 4:15.43. 8, Jose 
 Moctezuma, Lockhart, 4:18.40. 9, Seth James, Lockhart, 4:19.21. 10, Tyler 
 Schmiedeberg, Edmond Memorial, 4:20.42. 11, Todd VanVelson, Nederland, 
 4:20.51. 12, Tim Simmons, Cedar Park, 4:21.68. 13, Clay Schubert, Willis, 
 4:22.47. 14, Kevin Miller, Flower Md Marcus, 4:23.53. 15, Wes Johnson, San 
 Marcos, 4:23.89. 16, Rio Reina, SA O'Connor, 4:25.87. 17, Dane Hurtubise, The 
 Woodland, 4:25.94. 18, Jonathan Norris, The Woodland, 4:26.51. 19, Luke 
 Hansen, New Braunfels, 4:37.41. 20, Tyler Waseileski, SA Reagan, 4:40.12.  

Texas Relays