ELEVEN NATIONAL LEADERS HEADLINE

88TH ANNUAL CIF-STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Rich Gonzalez -- Editor, DyeStatCal

(NORWALK) -- One will be exiting donning the trademark orange knee-high socks. The other will be entering sporting the trademark blonde flowing waist-length hair. One seeks a national record. The other is a national prodigy. Both have carved their niche among the all-time Golden State elite. And this weekend, they’ll still have to share the stage.
        Welcome to the 88th Annual CIF-State Track and Field Championships, a traditional showcase for some of the leading talent in the nation, but currently boasting a true benchmark year for quality and depth along the Golden State landscape. The aforementioned David Klech (a senior seeking a national record at the 300-meter intermediate hurdles) and Jordan Hasay (a freshman already owning a truckload of national age-group records) are among a cast of 11 national leaders (from 32 events) assembled at Cerritos College’s Falcon Stadium for what promises to be among the most exciting and talent-filled track and field meets in history. Here’s our detailed preview of the blockbuster event:
        BOYS HURDLES – Already stamping himself as one of California’s all-time great all-around athletes (ranking nationally in seven different events over the last 14 months), California of San Ramon’s David Klech now aims to be the all-time best in one: the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. Klech’s amazing 35.45 clocking in setting an Arcadia Invitational meet record in early April ranked fourth-fastest in U.S. history, and second in California to national record setter George Porter’s 35.32 effort while attending Lompoc Cabrillo 21 years ago. Klech, whose lanky frame and good-natured demeanor is in stark contrast to his energetic aggression across the barriers, should benefit greatly from the wide-sweeping turns found on the Cerritos College track. Keep an eye on Woodland Hills Taft’s Jeshua Anderson as the L.A. City Section champion has shaved more than two seconds off his personal best in recent weeks. Also keep tabs on JW North’s Reggie Wyatt, whose 37.42 last month established a national record for 9th graders! The UCLA-bound Klech is also the state leader in the 110-meter high hurdles at 13.69, with Diamond Ranch junior Terry Prentice (another at sub-14.00) being his most dangerous rival with several others coming on well down the stretch.
        BOYS SPRINTS – Speed thrills a crowd and this year’s collection of male dashers is one for the history books. National 100-meter leader Rodney Glass of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (SS) rocketed down the straightaway in a lifetime-best 10.32 to win the Mission League Finals, a mark .04 faster than previous national leader Jamere Holland of Woodland Hills Taft (LA) in mid-April action. Holland has been injured of late, but has shown signs of strong health in his most recent outings. Jonathan Williams of Temecula Valley (SS) moved onto the national radar with a stunning 10.39 clocking last weekend. Glass, Holland and Williams rank 6th, 10th and 13th on the all-time state lists, making this the strongest single-year field of state meet 100-meter sprinters in California history!
        The longer sprints may belong to Long Beach Poly’s Bryshon Nellum, with the age-group sensation breaking new ground this year in pulling off a thrilling come-from-behind and nation-leading 46.20 effort at Arcadia, then impressing the historians with a superb 45.1 anchor-leg carry in 4x400 relay action last week. Nellum also holds the state lead at 200 meters (21.00), although NorCal wunderkinds Jahvid Best (Richmond Salesian-NCS) and Devin Mays (Stockton Lincoln-SJS) and SoCal talents Ennis Jones (Riverside La Sierra) and Zach Chandy (Newport Beach Sage Hill) are also in the mix.
        BOYS DISTANCES – Distance-running fans have been salivating at this year-end showdown since BEFORE the season started, as the 1600-meter run could very well pit the top two finishers from last December’s FootLocker Cross-Country Championships, national winner A.J. Acosta of El Camino Oceanside (SDS) and Michael Coe of Cabrillo Lompoc (SS). The two have not met on the oval this Spring, with the UC Berkeley-bound Coe winning at Arcadia and the University of Oregon-penned Acosta posting a superb 3:45.73 effort over 1500 meters (#2 all-time for Californians) recently at an open meet. Coe (also the CIF-State Scholar Athlete Award winner, see page ##) hammered a sizzling 4:05.07 jaw-dropper to set a CIF-SS Division 3 record last month, signaling his fitness for “The Showdown”. Marlon Patterson (Franklin of Elk Grove-SJS) was the surprise winner at the Sacramento Meet of Champions (4:09.70) and Michael Perez (Lower Lake-SS) has been the downright national surprise this season (a string of sub-4:15 efforts highlit by a 4:09.70), with the red-hot Knight Twins, Dylan and Spencer (Riverside La Sierra-SS) making huge improvements in recent weeks to loom as lethal darkhorse candidates in the four-lap race.
        Defending state champion Michael Cybulski (Simi Valley Royal-SS) looked dominant in peeling away from his rivals at last weekend’s Masters Meet, closing strongly to win in lifetime-best 8:52.24, the #3 time in the nation this year for the talented junior from the powerful Ventura County distance arsenal. El Camino’s Acosta, the national leader in winning Arcadia at 8:51.30, is expected to double back here, with national-class standouts Ben Sitler of Mountain View St. Francis (CCS) and Diego Mercado of West Covina (SS) (8:53.47 and 8:55.20, respectively) helping California hold down 4 of the 5 fastest times in the country this Spring. State leader Scott Crawford (1:51.60) of El Dorado Hills Oak Ridge (SJS) weathered illness to survive his section qualifying, with healthy efforts needed here to hold off fast-surging Ryan Gamboa (Upland-SS) and Cory Primm (Westlake Village Westlake-SS). Several leading threats are poised to upset here, with Central Section champion Rocky Richardson aving a penchant for setting a very fast opening-lap pace en route to his best efforts.
        BOYS JUMPS – A storybook showdown occurs in the pole vault, where Granite Bay (SJS) teammates Scott Roth and Ryan Shuler vie for the school’s fourth consecutive crown in the event. The UC Berkeley-bound Shuler won the 2003 state title as a freshman, with the University of Washington-bound Roth winning the crowns in 2004 and 2005. Roth’s seasonal-best 17-05 came at the Modesto Relays, but Shuler has matched his high-profile teammate’s marks in their last two meetings, including a personal-best 17-04 in winning at the Sac-Joaquin Section Finals. They currently rank 3rd and 5th on the all-time state list. Orange County recordholder (16-08) Johnny Quinn of St. Margaret’s-SS and area rival Greg Woepse of Mater Dei along with junior Casey Roche of St. Francis (CCS) are others who’ve had good looks at 17 feet this Spring.
        Zuheir Sharif, the lithe acrobat from Franklin of Elk Grove (SJS), uncorked a lifetime-best 50-10.25 wind-aided triple jump effort last weekend, with the Texas A&M-signed talent arriving here as the favorite, although SJS runner-up Neelon Greenwood of Fairfield and SS Masters champion Richard Sherman of Dominguez are also fresh off 50-foot efforts. The battle over in the long jump pit might be a bit more intriguing, with state leader Terry Prentice of Diamond Ranch (SS) soaring out beyond 23 feet only twice outdoors this season, but one was a dazzling 24-05 tape-measure job that ranks among America’s best. Late bloomer Chris Macke of Huntington Beach Edison (SS) smashed his school record with fine 23-11 at the CIF-SS Division 2 Finals, the #2 legal mark in the state this season. Very consistent leaper Josh Harrison of Rio Mesa, all-around talent Kyle Mills-Bunje of St. Francis (SS) and section winner Tevion McDowell of Tulare Western (CE) also wield fine credentials.
        The high jump is a wide-open event this weekend, with state leader Brandon Adams of San Ramon Valley (NCS) falling just a quarter-inch short of the 7-foot barrier last month. Ben Nelson (Vacaville-SJS), Alex Black (Downey-SS) and Terrance Austin (Long Beach Poly-SS) have each negotiated 6-10 this season, with Austin and teammate Nick Armstrong seeking big team points for a Jackrabbits squad in the hunt for the team title.
        BOYS THROWS – Sensational Southland trio locks horns in the throwing events, with national discus leader Bo Taylor of Newport Harbor (SS) unleashing a stunning 208-05 effort in league competition in late April. San Diego Morse’s Darius Savage had previously held the yearly national lead with a 206-04 mark three weeks prior in winning at Arcadia, with that duo ranking 7th and 9th on the all-time state list. El Toro weightman Nick Robinson has turned heads as well in recent weeks, including a huge 65-01 bomb two weeks ago that checked in as the state leader in the shot put. Hours later further down the highway, Savage unleashed a 65-footer of his own before fouling, but then powered a state-leading 65-09.75 last weekend to arrive here as the red-hot favorite. Get this – all three will remain in the Southland for college while competing at the juggernaut throws program at UCLA.
        BOYS RELAYS – The baton events will figure prominently in overall team fortunes, especially after some surprising developments in state qualifying. Long Beach Poly suffered a huge blow last weekend when its state-leading 4x100 quartet was DQ’ed for a lane-line violation, thus leaving Glass-anchored team Notre Dame (41.55) of Sherman Oaks as the favorite in the short relay. Southern Section squads hold down the top six times in the state this year, with James Logan (42.05) heading up the Northern representation. JW North of Riverside blazed its way to a head-on triumph over rival LB Poly (3:11.86 to 3:12.12) at the SS Masters Meet, although the latter was anchored in a mind-boggling 45.1 split by Nellum, who brought last weekend’s Cerritos College crowd cheering and to its feet. No other squad in the state is within four seconds of these two fine units in an event shaping up to seal the team championship.
        BOYS TEAMS – A sensational back-and-forth three-team battle for the crown is projected between Long Beach Poly, Dominguez and J.W. North, all Southern Section schools. Poly is favored to score well in the sprints ang long relay, with key points looming in the high jump. Dominguez is powerful in both relays and is doped to fare well in the hurdles and horizontal jumps as well. North is well armed in the long relay and the long sprints, with valuable points possible in the short relay and the hurdles.
        GIRLS DISTANCES – As of 10 days ago, it was three distance events on the dais ... and all three were topped by nation-leading marks from California-based athletes. Only one leader (1600m) remains, but here’s a golden chance for the trifecta to be regained. Freshman phenom Jordan Hasay (San Luis Obispo Mission College Prep-CE) has been the buzz on message boards across the nation, drawing comparison to the all-time prep greats such as Mary Decker. It’s for good reason. The national leader at 1600m and 3200m for much of the season, she remains the top performer in the latter (an age-14 and freshman national record 10:07.56 in early April) and is poised to improve that in her lone action this weekend. Possessing exceptional strength and the trademark waist-length hair, Hasay is pitted against another phenom is Corona del Mar’s Annie St. Geme, the national leader at 1600m (4:42.10), and mega-tough racer Christy Adamyk of Glendora.
        St. Geme is the favorite over four laps, with exceptional race savvy and lighting speed to pose problems for the competition regardless of pace. Also among the leading talents in the mix are Saugus’ Shannon Murakami (SS), Oak Ridge’s Alex Kosinski (SJS), and Royal’s Nicole Blood (SS). Murakami defeated Blood in their CIF-SS Division I showdown, with the latter being a prep East Coast legend of sorts while competing as a four-time FootLocker Nationals qualifier while attending the famed Saratoga Springs (NY) program. She transferred to Royal late this winter. Murakami ands Kosinski rely on speed, while Blood cajoles determination in achieving her successes. The quest for the 800m title took on a bit of a twist last weekend when Palo Alto sophomore Mia Lattanzi came from a tad off the big-name radar to record a state-leading 2:09.65 at the CCS Finals. The big threat down south comes from Marlborough’s Kate Grace, the Southern Section champion who is flashing a sensational peak for the second consecutive track season.
        GIRLS SPRINTS – The one-lap wonder with the purple-tinted hair and purple-and-white striped socks, junior Sa’de Williams of Rancho Cucamonga (SS) regained the national lead at 400 meters two weeks ago in storming to a 52.56 clocking at her section finals. Short in stature but harnessing a powerful gallop, Williams seeks to hold off frosh phenom teammates Turquoise Thompson (53.94) and Jasmine Joseph (54.14) of Long Beach Poly and Los Angeles City Section champion Myra Hasson of Gardena (54.18). The short sprints scene has witnessed the re-emergence of USC-signed senior Elizabeth Olear of Woodland Hills Lousville (SS) in recent weeks. The brazen competitor fell victim to injuries a year ago, but is beginning to peak masterfully at the close of her prep career, evidenced by lifetime-best 11.45 and 23.41 clockings in the 100 and 200, respectively, the former being the state leader and the latter just .02 off Sa’de Williams 2006 best. Williams indeed is entered here, among with mega-talents Jeneba Tarmoh of Mt. Pleasant and Khrystal Carter of San Jose Valley Christian, two Central Coast Section dashers. The same combatants are expected to vie for the top step on the awards podium in the 100 as well as the 200.
        GIRLS HURDLES – While there is much talk of David Klech chasing a national hurdles record, don’t be shocked if the all-time standard falls in the girls’ long hurdles race. Long Beach Wilson’s Ebony Collins arrives at the season-ending meet on a roll, including seasonal-best showings in her last two outings. Her 40.45 last weekend is quickly inching closer to last year’s lifetime best 40.10 (#2 in state and national history, behind Wilson alum Lashinda Demus), with the mini power pack truly among the nation’s most dominant athletes in her event. If Collins finds her stride groove, the record is going down. Logan’s Teirra Ward and Hercules’ Jamesha Youngblood are also major West Coast talents.
        She’s only a 10th grader and she was often mistaken for her sister (same last name, different school), but Julian Purvis of St. Elizabeth created her own track identity with a co-nation-leading 13.60 scorcher in the high hurdles at the Sacramento Meet of Champions. Her time, a sophomore state record, also tops the nation this year. Gardena Serra’s Kimyon Broom, fresh off a Southern Section divisional record in recent weeks, and Hercules’ Youngblood are the leading challengers.
        GIRLS JUMPS – With Merrill West’s Brittany Daniels spoiling us in recording a national record triple jump last year, it’s time to start trying to fill those awfully big shoes. Oakland Holy Names’ Ke’Nyia Richardson and Claremont’s Ashika Charan are superb starting points. Richardson, the North Coast Section champion, spanned 42-02.25 indoors this past winter and already ranks as this year’s national outdoor leader (41-09.25) and among the state’s all-timers outdoors. Charan, an amazingly versatile talent with explosion to spare, has lept 41-10.00 indoors at altitude. Long Beach Poly (with Kimarie Black) and James Logan (Tracey Stewart) seek to score big team points here. Charan is the favorite in the long jump, already stretching just a shade under 20 feet this year. Benicia’s Amber Purvis, Diamond Ranch’s Karyn Dunn, Fresno Hoover’s Jackie Lewis and Long Beach Wilson’s DaAna Carson all court realistic title aspirations as well.
        GIRLS THROWS – Sarah Robles (San Jacinto-SS) has been a winning machine this Spring, posting a slew of big-meet discus wins and holding a seasonal-best toss of 160-02 to rank 2nd in the nation and hold a six-foot edge over Oakland Bishop O’ Dowd’s (NCS) Miranda Wilson. California boasts five 150-footers this season, with Southern Section standouts Jennifer Steed (Arroyo Grande) and Hilary Fraser (Lake Forest El Toro) and SJS talent Lauren Guerreri (Davis) rounding out the quintet. The battle for shot put supremacy could be a two-person showdown between state leader (47-02.75) Erin Delaney (47-00.00) of Paso Robles (SS) and Rosario Sanchez of Selma (CE). No other throwers have eclipsed the 45-foot barrier this Spring.
        GIRLS RELAYS – The great Long Beach showdown is expected in closing down the meet, with the Moore League rivals and perennial baton powers set to renew the battle for bragging rights. Poly and Wilson have combined to record the eight fastest squads in state history in the 4x400 and 7 of the 10 fastest in state history in the 4x100. Wilson still holds the nation’s top clocking this season via a 45.12 win at the Texas Relays, with the Collins-Carson led squad primed to close down the meet with a big 10 points in the 4x400 and perhaps the team title. Poly, however, beat Wilson in the 4x400 at the CIF-SS Division I meet. Rancho Verde (46.00 in the short relay), Mt. Pleasant and James Logan are among a deep cast of challengers.
        GIRLS TEAMS – Long Beach Wilson projects as the slight favorite over rival Long Beach Poly, with Mt. Pleasant of San Jose also squarely in the hunt for the team chmpionship. Wilson should score very well in both relays, the sprints, and the hurdles while Poly counters in both relays, the 400 and the triple jump. Mt. Pleasant looks strong in the relays, the short dashes and the hurdles.