By Rich Gonzalez
Editor, DyeStatCal.com
          (--) Temperature readings are forecast to hike quickly during the afternoons this weekend, but the action will be even hotter once the sun goes down at the Hughes Stadium track and field complex. An amazing 11 national leaders will be on display among the 32 events being contested at the 89th Annual CIF-State Championships, a fitting celebration to perhaps the strongest single-year talent contingent in Golden State history.
         Topping the entry list of star-studded entries is Long Beach Poly senior Bryshon Nellum, seeking to emerge as the greatest long sprinter in state history and perhaps the first to win gold medals in the 200, 400 and both relays in a Jesse Owens-like achievement. Nellum courts the fastest time in America in both of his open sprints and has also carried Poly to the fastest time in the long sprint relay with an Olympian-level split time on anchor.
         UCLA-bound talents Cory Primm of Westlake and Michael Cybulski will try to bookend the distance races with repeat showings, the former aiming to successfully defend his two-lap title and the latter seeking to become the first three-time 3200m champion in meet history.
         Believe it or not, the wealth of talent is even stronger and deeper on the girls' side, where Californians check in with a stunning seven nation-leading marks (nearly half of the 16 events) and a plethora of nationally ranked performers.
         Leading the way are FOUR national record setting athletes (two outdoors and two indoors) that have marveled crowds all year long. The action has been especially hot on the oval, where Oak Ridge star Alex Kosinski (SJS) and Mission Prep phenom Jordan Hasay (CE) have traded off the National Federation 1600m record. On the field, seniors Tori Anthony of Castilleja (CCS) and Ke'nyia Richardson of Holy Names (NCS) have dominated. Anthony set the national indoor pole vault record while Richardson spanned her way into the indoor record books in the triple jump.
         Then there's Hercules senior Jamesha Youngblood, who leads the nation in TWO events this year. She already boasted the top LJ mark in the land, then added the best 300m LH performance to her ledger last weekend. Long Beach Poly, despite being hobbled by injury recently, still holds the fastest seasonal time in the nation in the 4x100.
         Teamwise, Long Beach Poly's boys and Mt. Pleasant's girls are favored for the crowns. JW North, Rancho Cucamonga and Los Gatos are among the leading boys team challengers for the crown, with Hercules, Long Beach Poly and St. Elizabeth heading the list of threats for the girls title.
        So dress comfortably, select your favorite refreshment, find yourself a good seat and prepare to witness and enjoy the best high school track and field meet in the nation -- the CIF-State Championships!

BOYS DISCUS THROW --
Senior Derek Johnson of Agoura (SS) has been ultra-consistent this spring, being unbeaten while earning major meet crowns at both Arcadia and Mt. SAC. The Cal State Bakersfield signee (6-3, 203) achieved a lifetime-best 205-05 performance (#2 in U.S.) in a small mid-April meet and has recorded seven throws farther than the second-best thrower in the state, Central Section champion Dayshan Ragans of Foothill in Bakersfield. Ragans is the #2 11th-grader in the nation with a 193-03 best. Blake Ayles (6-4, 235), a sensational tight end on the Division II state champion football team at Orange Lutheran (SS), set an SS Division III record with his 190-06 mark two weeks ago. West Valley's Jake Fuller (186-03) broke the Northern Section Finals record last weekend.

BOYS SHOT PUT -- Southern Section Masters champion Joe Canavan of Palm Desert arrives as the most boisterous athlete in the meet, bellowing barks of support to others or audible eruptions to psyche himself up. He's not only the loudest, but the hottest -- with tape-measure jobs of 64-10 or better in 4 of his last 9 attempts this postseason. A decorated lineman in football, he opted to skip the gridiron season to focus in the ring, with his 66-00 Arcadia-winning effort the best mark in the nation at the time (and #2 currently). He doesn't put the shot, he catapults it airborne at great speed. Dayshan Ragans of Foothill (CE) is another accomplished footballer, with his 64-01 heave tabbing him as the top junior putter in the nation. Chris Krychev of Monte Vista (NCS) and Colin Quirke of Los Gatos (CCS) are also very hot of late.

BOYS HIGH JUMP --
With the state's lone 7-foot jumper (Gary Francis of De La Salle-NCS) derailed by a mid-season injury, five jumpers arrive with 6-10 credentials. The most impressive of the bunch in Central Section winner Kenny Phillips as the springs skyward and slinks his diminutive 5-foot, 7.5-inch frame over the bar. Masters Meet winner Chris Hicks of Palmdale leads three super elites from the Southern Section, joined by Trabuco Hills' Daniel Kirkpatrick (coached by Olympian Dwight Stones) and Loyola's Jonathan Clark, also that section's top triple jumper. Buchanan's Travis Smith, a convert from water polo and the Central Section runner-up, is one of the leading sophomore jumpers in America.

BOYS POLE VAULT --
The international clash between two of the globe's top teens failed to materialize when defending Central Coast Section champion Casey Roche of St. Francis shockingly no-heighted three weeks ago, ending his CIF season. Los Gatos junior Nico Weiler, however, is just starting to pick up steam. A foreign-exchange student from Germany, Weiler soared to a Central Coast Section and junior class state record 17-06.25 last week, the nation's #2 mark this spring. (Note: Under CIF rules, foreign-exchange students are granted only year of eligibility, so he will not compete in CIF in 2008.) Seniors Connor Landry of Placer and Masters Meet winner Kyle Inks of Bret Harte renew their SJS rivalry while junior Justin Miller of California (NCS) is the state's lone 16-footer with eligibility for 2008.


BOYS LONG JUMP --
Incredible athleticism will be on display in the sand pit, where Terry Prentice of Diamond Ranch (SS), Nelson Rosario of El Camino (SD) and Gary Lee of Hoover (SD) headline a very deep and explosive field. Prentice, the reigning national indoor pentathlon champion, has spanned over 24 feet indoors while Rosario soared to an all-conditions best (but wind-aided) 24-06.50 jaw dropper in San Diego Section competition recently. Lee is the state outdoor leader (wind legal) with his 24-02.50 mark winning the big Arcadia clash in April. Sac-Joaquin Section winner Roman Gray of Laguna Creek is also an exceptional sprint talent vying for a podium spot in the 400.

BOYS TRIPLE JUMP --
Will the hop, skip and a jump be "going Hollywood"? Thus far, Hollywood High's Gyasi Rivers has the best legal and wind-aided marks (49-01.50/49-04.75) in the state in 2007, with his personal best coming in winning last week's L.A. City Section Finals. Southern Section Masters winner Jonathan Clark of Loyola (49-02.50w), Sac-Joaquin Section Masters victor Ray Green of Ceres (49-00.50) and athletic wunderkind Nelson Rosario of El Camino (SDS) are all in bounding grooves of late, with each seeking to ride those blustery Sacramento winds to a few extra inches and the state title this weekend.

GIRLS HIGH JUMP --
Historians may be put to work this weekend thanks to a late-season surge by a veteran jumper and the arrival of a clutch newcomer to the high school scene. La Costa Canyon's Whitney Sisler (SDS) is the veteran, a consistent 12th grader who elevated to the state lead (and #2 in U.S.) with a big 5-11 clearance last weekend. The newcomer is Ashley Smith of Long Beach Millikan (SS), whose 5-09 effort won the Division I crown and staked her to the best frosh mark of the year nationally. The state meet record is 6-00 while the state 9th-grade record is 5-10.25; both marks could be threatened this weekend.

GIRLS POLE VAULT --
America's two finest vaulters and the Golden State's most decorated aerialists in history will be on display here as seniors Tori Anthony of Castilleja (CCS) and Allison Stokke of Newport Harbor (SS) lock horns. Anthony owns the state senior and junior class records (13-10 and 13-04, respectively) while Stokke lays claim to the state sophomore and freshmen records (13-05.75 and 12-08, respectively). Anthony raised her game to another level by whistling to an indoor national record 14-00 effort during the winter and competed against professionals at the USATF Indoor Nationals earlier this year. Stokke achieved a lifetime-best 13-07 five weeks ago in Orange County action. Veronica Stimson (Bella Vista-SJS), Natasha Barthel (St. Francis-CCS) and Emily Mattoon (Rancho Bernardo-SDS) give the Golden State five 13-footers, matching the most from any one state in a single year in U.S. history. Mattoon is also the #2 sophomore in the nation.

GIRLS SHOT PUT -- If Rosario Sanchez is on her game -- and she usually is -- this one may be decided early. Sanchez (Selma-CE) has well over four feet of advantage on the rest of the gathered field, firing the 8.82-pound iron ball to a stunning 50-05 measurement in late April and holding at least 8 other efforts this season that have outdistanced all others within the state. Miranda Wilson (Bishop O'Dowd-NCS) is the top Northern Californian entered, winning on this very track with a fine seasonal best 45-10.25 at the Sacramento Meet of Champions in late April. From the deep southern end of the state, Hilary Fraser (El Toro-SS) heads the charge and is the Orange County Championships winner.

GIRLS DISCUS -- Perhaps the most competitive girls field event is forecast to play out within the discus sector, where four combatants are roughly within a yard of each other in their respective best measured effort, each covering more than half the length of a football field. Hilary Fraser (El Toro-SS) boasts the best mark this spring, a big 158-10 bomb that won the Orange County Championships in late April. Miranda Wilson (Bishop O'Dowd-NCS) is the Sacramento Meet of Champions winner, Lauren Guerrieri (Davis-SJS) arrives as her section's Masters Meet champion, and Anna Jelmini (Shafter-CE) is the top entry from Central California. Kayla Kovar (Burroughs-SS) is among the nation's premier 10th graders.

GIRLS TRIPLE JUMP --
For the better part of two years, Ke'nyia Richardson (Holy Names-NCS) has ruled California's airspace over the triple jump pits, including a national indoor record 44-06.75 explosion during the wintertime and a superb 43-04.25 legal outdoor best last year. But after nearly being grounded early this season by a back injury, the state's premier female leaper has returned to find more aircraft hovering close by. Vashti Thomas (Mt. Pleasant-CCS) joined rarefied air with a wind-aided 42-00.25 mark in mid-April and Jamesha Youngblood (Hercules-NCS) also raised her leaping game with a big 41-08.50 mark last weekend that was within a foot of the favored Richardson. This is the deepest and strongest TJ field in U.S. prep history!

GIRLS LONG JUMP --
While the rest of the nation falls back, Californians continue to "step up" when it comes to girls long jumping. Golden Staters own the top three wind-legal marks in the nation in 2007, paced by Jamesha Youngblood's (Hercules-NCS) 20-06.00 flight on this very track in late April. Vashti Thomas (Mt. Pleasant-CCS) is America's lone other 20-footer (20.02.00) and seeks to score big points factoring into the team title hunt. Ke'nyia Richardson (Holy Names-NCS) soared to her best marks at the Stanford Invitational to help headline this field which features four other 19-footers.

BOYS HIGH HURDLES --
Terry Prentice has already been stung once before this postseason; don't look for the Diamond Ranch (SS) star to leave himself shortchanged a second time. The state high hurdles leader (13.77 to win Arcadia) eased much too early in intermediate hurdles qualifying, falling just short of advancing due to jogging the final few strides. But Prentice has the power, the form and the renewed motivation to battle familiar Southern California foes Jeshua Anderson (Taft-LA), Trevor Habberstad (Canyon/CC-SS), Michigan-bound footballer Zion Babb (Alhambra-SS) and Maurice Shaw (Colony-SS). Rashad Smith (Pinole Valley-NCS) and the now healthy Eric Hersey (Los Altos-CCS) are also in the lead mix.

BOYS INTERMEDIATE HURDLES --
Jeshua Anderson (Taft-LA) has been untouchable thus far. But then so has Reggie Wyatt (JW North-SS. The two Southland stars hook up for the first time this weekend, with Anderson easily holding down the better seasonal time (35.75), but Wyatt (state sophomore record 36.52) coming on very quickly of late. Pinole Valley's Rashad Smith (NCS) and Los Altos' Eric Hersey (CCS) are rounding into fine form of late as well. West Valley's Josh McOmber, the Northern Section record holder, is one to watch as well.

GIRLS HIGH HURDLES --
Vashti Thomas (Mt. Pleasant-CCS) is the top high hurdler in this half of the nation, with the amazing junior seeking to torch a fine field that includes three other nationally-listed standouts. Sacramento MOC champion Ke'nyia Richardson Holy Names (NCS), St. Elizabeth junior Julian Purvis (NCS) and Valley Christian (CCS) star Dahlys Marshall are also sub-14.00 hurlers in the field. Kiani Profit (Muir-SS) was the surprise winner of the Southern Section Masters Meet, clocking a lifetime-best 14.04 despite running in Lane 9.

GIRLS LOW HURDLES --
There's a revolving door of national-class talent in this event, but even in the worst of times, outside states are unable to shake California's stranglehold on supremacy. With top U.S. returnee Ebony Collins (Locke-L.A.) surprisingly unable to qualify and new U.S. #1 Turquoise Thompson (Long Beach Poly-SS) succumbing to recent injury, it was Hercules' Jamesha Youngblood (NCS) firing on all cylinders for a new U.S,-leading 41.23 clocking last week. Kiani Profit of hurdles factory John Muir (SS) pulled off a surprise sweep of the barrier races in sectional competition last weekend, with Claremont's Kori Carter among the top 9th graders on the map for 2007.

BOYS 100 METERS --
The unofficial title of "State's Fastest Teen" traditionally goes to the 100m dash winner (although Long Beach Poly long sprinter Bryshon Nellum might have something to say about that), and the sport's most dramatic event took an extra twist last weekend when Southern California added three sophomores to the title mix. Salesian of Richmond's Jahvid Best (NCS) remains the slight favorite after a super 10.36 effort (#3 in U.S.) won the Sacramento Meet of Champions affair here in late April. But Southlander Charles Saseun (say it "Sass-soon") shocked the Southern Section with a wind legal 10.39 burst (#5 in U.S.) to lead a parade of 10th graders to the top spots. The mysterious Sacramento wind currents and the Mondo track surface at Cerritos College were both key components in previous fast times, but the conditions are equal for everyone in this weekend's anticipated final!

BOYS 200 METERS -- Just when it seemed the engraving was complete in Bryshon Nellum's favor on the deuce dash medal, Jahvid Best whirled on through to blow the instrument out of the machinist's hand. Nellum (Long Beach Poly-SS) has been downright dominating and close to legendary in his SS record 20.58 clocking (#4 state all-time, close behind two eventual Olympians), absolutely racing away from several marquee stars. But Best (Salesian-NCS) stunned dash aficionados last weekend when he blitzed to a 20.92 clocking in the face of a very brisk headwind. Nellum will have to go full throttle to hold off the NorCal blazer. The Central Section's Kenny Alston (Roosevelt) blew away the competition in local action this spring, with SJS speedburners posted great marks amid the favorable Hughes Stadium winds last weekend.

BOYS 400 METERS -- "The Man" is on the track. Bryshon Nellum (Long Beach Poly-SS) is seeking to etch his name indelibly alongside the Golden State's year-end sprint greats, with the USC-bound start seeking to be the first male in meet history to win gold medals in both long sprints as well as both relays. Nellum's specialty is the one-lap dash, where he has been without peer thus far. His winning Arcadia Invitational time (46.02) still tops the national list, but has followed that up with a 45.9 relay carry at the Penn Relays and then an unheard of and Olympian-like 44.6-second relay clocking (!!) at last weekend's Southern Section Finals. JW North's Nevin Gutteriez (SS) has been getting an up-close look at Nellum over the past 13 months and might court the best shot at upsetting the phenom. Remington Blair (Reedley) and Jason Ward (South, Bakerfield) renew their hot Central Section rivalry by taking up well up Interstate 5.

BOYS 4X100 METER RELAY -- Long Beach Poly is ailing, which has the door swinging wide open for all challengers. Poly had Southern Section Division I 100m champ Isaiah Green derailed by re-aggravation of an injury last weekend, with rival JW North swooping right on in for a seasonal best and race-winning 41.12 clocking against the Jackrabbits (41.17 in the race, but a seasonal best of 40.71). Rancho Cucamonga, with SS 100m champ Charles Saseun anchoring, and Rio Mesa, with precision passing execution in the exchange zones, are two other Southern Section powers in an event where the strength truly tilts toward the southern part of the state. Poly, which also set the 800-meter sprint medley national record at Arcadia in early April, should be favored in Green if good to go.

BOYS 4X400 METER RELAY -- Perhaps the most anticipated event of the night will be the last one, where national leader Long Beach Poly (SS) rocketed 3:09.89 to defeat powerful Jamaican contingents at the Penn Relays in late April. But the Jackrabbits really brought the house down with a thrilling 3:11.17-to-3:11.73 decision over JW North in the Southern Section Masters finale last Friday. In that one, Poly anchor Bryshon Nellum unleashed an unheard of 44.6 anchor to rally the Jackrabbits to victory. North anchor Nevin Gutteriez was timed in 45.9 in that one. Rancho Cucamonga (SS), which has been oozing with talent in recent years, has twice clocked in the low teens while Central Section powerhouse Edison of Fresno and relays juggernaut Dominguez (SS) of Compton are also in the picture.

GIRLS 100 METERS -- Frosh phenom Ashton Purvis (second in state annals among 9th graders to the legendary Angela Williams) of St. Elizabeth (NCS) and Cherrelle Garrett (Mt. Eden-NCS) are set for a rematch of their big Sacramento Meet of Champions clash that produced the top two times in the state this spring. But super dasher Jeneba Tarmoh (Mt. Pleasant-CCS) brings international experience after representing Team USA in World Juniors competition last summer. Tarmoh, sidelined by injury for much of the season, returns to the dash scene just in time for the fun. Alicia King is rising national power Rancho Verde (SS) won her sectional Masters Meet despite running in Lane 1 and is a great dark horse threat here.

GIRLS 200 METERS -- The same major players return here as in the short sprint, with frosh phenom Ashton Purvis (St. Elizabeth-NCS) holing the best legal time (23.50), but Mt. Pleasant's (CCS) Jeneba Tarmoh rounding quickly into peak form after a stubborn injury ruined most of the regular season. Purvis and Garrett went 1-2 on the Hughes Stadium track at the Sacramento Meet of Champions, still courting the two fastest legal times in the state this year. Keep your eye on two rising talents -- Monterey Trails' Andra Harris and Highland's Jessica Davis. Harris (SJS) hails from a new program making waves very quickly while Davis is among the top 9th graders nationally after a poised upset win at the SS Masters Meet last weekend.

GIRLS 400 METERS --
Long Beach Poly was projected to score major points here, but the devastating hamstring injury to Turquoise Thompson robbed the Jackrabbits of one of their aces, Regardless, SS Masters champion Jasmine Joseph has been downright dazzling, including a lifetime-best 53.48 (#4 in U.S.) effort in early April. The San Gabriel Valley has been well represented here, with Bonita's Brianna Atkins and St. Lucy's Joy Eaton -- both of the SS -- revving into overdrive of late. Acclaimed age-group star Thandi Stewart of James Logan (NCS) in another in a deep list of sub-55 second talents gathered here.

GIRLS 4X100 METER RELAY -- Long Beach Poly was rolling along nicely until a key cylinder was blown as Turquoise Thompson succumbed to injury. The Jackrabbits were then toppled by rising Rancho Verde at the Southern Section Masters Meet last weekend, continuing a benchmark spring campaign for the Mustangs. Long Beach Wilson is another major threat come championship time, with the Bruins topping Poly at the Moore League Finals and posting among the top five times in the nation this year. Mt, Pleasant will be one to watch, with international-class talent Jeneba Tarmoh now having returned from injury.

GIRLS 4X400 METER RELAY -- What a way to close down the girls' meet! Perennial national baton powers Long Beach Poly (SS) and James Logan (NCS) are set to clash leading a parade of super-deep teams in a state where nine squads have blazed under 3:50! Poly has taken a major hit of late with the injury to Turquoise Thompson, but the Jackrabbits remain solid. Logan breathes fire at this time of year and will be tough to catch under the leadership of legendary coach Lee Webb as the Colts aim for the big prize here.

GIRLS 800 METERS -- California has been absolutely on fire in this event, with recent national leader Emily Dunn of Esperanza (SS) leading a phalanx of 5 girls ranking among the top 9 in the nation on the seasonal lists as well as 7 of the top 13. Although the red-hot Dunn (2:06.48) has been dominant at the forefront and primed for competition, the state has taken some hits here in recent weeks. Alex Kosinski of Oak Rige (SJS) befell injury at last weekend's Masters Meet (in her specialty event, the 1600, where she recently bettered the National Federation record) and Justine Fredonic (Carlmont-CCS) also had her campaign derailed by injury. Archbishop Mitty's (CCS) Renisha Robinson has been money of late, with Southern Section stars Anniya Louis (Culver City) and Shelby Buckley (Corona del Mar) also hitting new highs of late.

GIRLS 1600 METERS -- In one of the most amazing seasons ever in any event, California has been absolutely amazing in the four-lap challenge this fall. Two girls have bettered the National Federation records in the event and Golden State girls currently claim the top SIX times in the nation in this event. Interestingly, however, neither record setter may compete in the event, with new all-time leader Alex Kosinski of Oak Ridge (SJS) suffering a serious foot injury last weekend in leaving her status unknown while Jordan Hasay (Mission Prep-CE) has opted to focus solely on the 3200m this weekend. If Kosinski regains her form, look for the lethal kick which also carried her to the Nike Indoor Nationals mile crown in March. But some will argue that Woodbridge (SS) junior Christine Babcock is just as good as the aforementioned duo, with the defending state champion seeking the same clutch peak she unveiled at this time last year. Babcock has been sharp of late, seeking to be the state's third sub-4:40 performer this spring. Super talent Shannon Murakami of Saugus (SS), durable workhorse Anna Sperry of Simi Valley (SS) and late-charging SS Masters champion Shelby Buckley's of Corona del Mar round out the nation's lead "six-pack".

GIRLS 3200 METERS -- Age-group phenom Jordan Hasay continues to purr along, with a trio of sub-10:10 clockings this year putting her atop the performance ladder nationally. Hasay's smooth-paced and power-rooted style have eventually worn down her race-day rivals at this distance, but she suffered a rare loss to Laurynne Chetelat (Davis-SJS) in the back end of a grueling double (also lost to Jordan Kosinski earlier that day in a National Federation record performance at 1600m). Defending 1600m state champ Christine Babcock (Woodbridge-SS) has blistering speed and will be dangerous here, with Chetelat and Southland gems Anna Sperry of Simi Valley (SS) and Shannon Murakami of Saugus (SS) also flashing national-class credentials.

BOYS 800 METERS -- Cory Primm of Westlake (SS) loves discomfort, and loves putting his rivals through pain even more. Primm's breakneck opening-lap exploits in major races have been unmatched, netting the defending state champion with a litany of big-race wins this season and the nation's best time (1:49.50). Nathaniel Richardson of Madera (CE) is another who enjoys a fast early pace and admits he'll be ready for such a challenge should Primm follow his script. State meet veteran Ryan Gamboa of Upland (SS) and a deep collection of vastly improved Southern Section two-lappers should also be in the hunt.

BOOYS 1600 METERS -- The top five times in the state come from the Southern Section, led by perfectly peaking senior Hudson Andrews of Royal (SS), who timed his kick admirably in barely reeling in Big Bear's Chad Hall in their thrilling clash last weekend. Hall, the FootLocker Nationals cross-country champion, rode an aggressive early pace in that one before becoming vulnerable down the stretch. UCLA-signed talents Fawad Khan and Dylan Knight are also dangerous last-lap speed talents, with late-blossoming star Adam Cunningham of Milken Community (SS) also now shining brightly on the radar. Mt, SAC Relays winner Brad Surh of Carlmont (CCS), top national sophomore Mac Fleet of University City (SDS) and exceptional talent Brian Cole (St. Helena-NCS) also very capable of a sensational showing come championship time.

BOYS 3200 METERS -- Senior Michael Cybulski of Royal (SS) is trying to be the first to win three state titles in this event, a mind-boggling achievement given the star-studded cast of multi-lappers marching through the Golden State ranks over the years. Cybulski's chances took a major hit with a season-long stress fracture that just recently began to cooperate, with the UCLA-bound star stunning onlookers in a clutch showing and narrow loss to FootLocker Nationals cross-country champ Chad Hall of Big Bear (SS) at last weekend's Masters Meet. The great Trabuco Hills duo of J.T. Sullivan and Scott Blair have enjoyed a remarkable year as among the best 1-2 punches in state history, with Davis' Brendan Gregg (like Sullivan, having signed with Stanford) also a top-level performer. Two sensational underclass talents to watch here are Chris Schwartz of Foothill (CE) and Philip MacQuitty of Palo Alto (CCS).

 

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