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2008 Arcadia Boys Preview

Nation's best to April 11-12 Competition

2008 Arcadia Invitational - April 11-12, 2008
Arcadia High School


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Come be part of the magic in 2008!


2008 Arcadia Invitational
Doug Speck - Editor DyeStatCal

Preview Written late last week for program, and does not reflect 4/5 weekend results



Boys 100 Meters

photos by Greg Smotherman - Smotherman Images.com and Robert Lopez
State Leader Randall Carroll (Cathedral) will battle a great field in the 100 that includes Chris
Owusu (Oaks Christian), who has 10.42w and 10.45w 100 wins this Invitational season


Take the best from up and down the state, with the best from neighboring Arizona and Nevada, and you have one burning contest! California flyers in 2008 are led by junior Charles Saseun (Rancho Cucamonga), who is the nation’s #4 returnee and was State runner-up at 10.39 last June. He has run 10.64 on the year, with a second place finish to Randall Carroll (Cathedral, LA) two weeks back at the Pasadena Games. Carroll, third last year at state as a soph with a 10.57 best, was a 10.70-10.77 winner over Saseun in a tension-packed contest at Pasadena CC. Chris Owusu (Oaks Christian) a Stanford bound wide receiver, was the Las Vegas Invitational winner last weekend into a negative wind at 10.74, with the Ventura County star 10.42w and 10.45w efforts in Invitational settings locally so far this spring in nice Invitational wins. Adam Long (St. Bernard) has run 10.70 (10.53w last year) and can challenge at the front end here. San Diego’s best and a huge winner at Mt. Carmel at 10.54w was Jamal Alston (Rancho Buena Vista), who comes north looking for competition. Arizona’s best, Allante Battle (Desert Vista, Phoenix) is a State 5A Champ with a 10.64 best. Nevada’s Demarrion Horton has a 10.4 seasonal best and was second to Owusu in the Las Vegas Invite. It will be the kind of a contest with tension you can physically cut in the stadium at the start ,as another super Arcadia sprint field races for glory and a confidence edge as the season moves along.

Boys 200 Meters

photo Kirby Lee - Image of Sport
Adam Long (St. Bernard) 21.25 last spring over 200m

Another dynamite group will toe the line at the half lap distance. State leader Chris Owusu (Oaks Christian) impressed with an early 21.30 clocking, and he will face some good competition here. Colorado’s Dominick Roberts (East, Denver) was the 5A Champ there at 21.14 last May and he brings 46.80 400 meter strength to the table. This winter, Roberts rocketed 47.98 on a tight indoor track for the 400 meter distance. At the Pasadena Games, Randall Carroll (Cathedral) impressed with a 21.42-21.44 win over State 200 third placer Adam Long (St. Bernard), who was 21.25 last spring. Nico Reaves (Lincoln, San Diego) was a winner, 21.67w-21.70w, over Jamal Alston (Rancho Buena Vista) two weeks ago at Mt. Carmel in a big San Diego showdown. Demarrion Horton (Western, Las Vegas) was the winner of the Las Vegas Classic two weeks back.

Boys 400 Meters

photo by Kirby Lee Image of Sport
Joey Hughes (LB Poly) is rounding into top shape over 400m

A strong California group had better buckle their helmets tightly, as a couple of burners from out of state are coming to test the Golden State’s best. Dominick Roberts (East, Denver, Colorado) is one of the nation’s best with 46.80 in winning the State 5A title last year, and he adds wicked 21.14 200 meter speed while gobbling up that championship distance as well. Arizona’s 5A winner Allante Battle (Desert Vista, Phoenix) likewise was a State Champ at 47.17, with 10.64 and 21.33 dash bests to back up the one lap power. California’s top five at the moment will toe the line to defend local honor. Marc Watley (Crespi, Encino) was 47.71 in taking Jonathan Byrd (Carson) 47.77 at the recent Pasadena Games, with Nico Reaves (Lincoln, San Diego) 47.77 in taking the Mt. Carmel 400 by 10 meters. Joey Hughes (Poly, Long Beach) was 47.86 last year in taking third at State. Michael Rideout (Valley, Sacramento) cranked a super 600 indoors and leads Northern California with his 48.54. William Scudder (Rancho Cucamonga) has run 48.54 to add depth to what will be a great event.

Boys 800 Meters

photo by John Sullivan
Blake Shaw (Texas) has run 1:49.41 for 800m this spring


A dynamite two lap field is led by the nation’s best. Texan Blake Shaw (Cypress Creek, Houston), a veteran of international competition last year as a member of the US World Youth (under 18) Championship team, has blasted a 1:49.41 already outdoors in local action to lead the US. Arizona’s James Eichelberger (Catalina, Tucson) took a big showdown at the Chandler Invite with state rival John Kline (Desert Vista, Phoenix) 1:51.55-1:52.33. Golden State list leaders Sebastian Sam (Oak Grove) 1:54.21, Doug Bettisworth (Oak Park) 1:54.43, and Louie Gallardo (Mater Dei) 1:54.46 will have some great pacing to feed off as they go in chase of clockings closer to 1:50 this evening.

Boys One Mile

photo by John Dye
Secton last year - Colorado's Charles White hopes to move up a notch this year at Arcadia

A couple among the nation’s best will lead a great group here. Charles White (Cherry Creek, Englewood, Colorado) was second here last year, and has a 4:09.36 best mile. White was also winner of the National Scholastic Indoor Championships mile last month. Alabama’s Patrick McGregor (Hoover) doesn't have the fastest PR in the field, but was a surprise 2nd at NIN, racing 4:16.79 for a full mile. Carlmont’s Brad Surh, who ran 4:10.42 for a mile last year, is also national-class. Spencer Doolittle (Ayala) impressed with a 4:13.54 run a few weeks back locally, while Steve Norton raced to 1:52-1:53-4:16 800/1600 relay splits over two days at the California Relays. State Division Cross Country Champ James Attarian and others are hoping to make the big drop in time here as part of a great pack.

Boys 3200 Meters

photos by John Dye and Kirby Lee - Image of Sport
Trans-Pacific Flavor to the Two Mile - New Zealand's Gannon - Utah's Luke Puskedra - German Fernandez from California

The eight lap Arcadia tradition will hold true in 2008 with a stellar International field gathered. Coming from New Zealand is Dominic Channon (Bowden Nelson). The ‘down-under’ star blazed a NZ under 18 record 8:09.61 3k recently and has also run 14:31.52 5k on the track. The best the US can offer will be here to meet the challenge. Defending Arcadia Champ Luke Puskedra (Judge, Salt Lake City, Utah) is fresh off an 8:49.58 Nike Indoor National Two Mile win, while National Junior Cross Country Champ German Fernandez (Riverbank) is just back from Scotland, where he came in ahead of Channon in the World CC Junior Championship contest. Fernandez had a legendary distance triple that finished with an 8:53.6 3200 prior to leaving for the World CC Meet, with locals wondering how fast he can run eight laps after a fabulous local fall harrier season (we may find out here). Eleventh grader Wes Rickman (Falcon, Peyton, Colo) was 9:00.38 for two miles indoors. Foot Locker Finalists Evan Appel (Dakota Ridge CO) and Patrick Campbell (Mooresville NC) are also in the field, as is Sean Keveran (Brentwood TN), who ran 8:55.16 for 2M at NON last spring. State Division I Cross Country Champ Chris Schwartz (Foothill, Bakersfield) and Riley Sullivan (Trabuco Hills) have both run 9:08 for 3200, and Mohamed Abdalla (Willow Glen) has gone 4:16.14 for 1600 meters. They are among several others hoping to join the pack for a special ride to sub-9 minute land in another Arcadia distance classic for the books.

5000 Meters

photo by Kirby Lee
Chris Derrick won the Nike Team Nationals and was second in the Foot Locker Finals a week later

A first year event, the 5k gives the real distance types a chance to excel over this distance in a quality event during the regular prep season. The field is led by NTN individual champ and Foot Locker Cross Country runner-up Chris Derrick (Nequa Valley, Illlinois), who showed great poise in his pacing of the San Diego harrier Championship run in December in San Diego. Derrick has run 8:54.64 for 3200 meters and is obviously looking for a good time in this event that will take place near the end of Saturday’s program. Two of the nation's best from New Jersey will be there to challenge him. Brandon Jarrett (St. Benedict's) was 6th at the Foot Locker Finals last fall and was a sub-9:00 performer indoors. Doug Smith (Gill St. Bernards, NJ) was second at the Nike Outdoor Nationals last June at 14:40.76 as a soph, with an impressive 8:24.3 3000m this winter indoors. Ryan Prentice (Mt. Rainer, Wash) was 9:06.58 for 3200 meters and the Junior Olympic Outdoor Track 5k Champ locally here last summer. Nate Beach (Acalanes, Lafayette) has run 9:18.97 for 3200 meters already this spring, with Arcadia’s Kris Romero 9:23.67, Foot Locker National CC Finalist Brett Walters (Sultana) 9:24.84, and Crescenta Valley’s Eric Kleinsasser 9:27.74 and 15:17.74 for a full 5k on the track. If the pack will keep on the pace something special could happen here.

Boys 110 Meter High Hurdles

photos by Doug Speck
Califonria's top hurdlers this spring have been Dale Morgan (Taft soph) and Ryan Holmes (Loyola, LA)

California’s best will again face great challenges from visitors around the nation, with Cedrique Smith (Agua Fria, Arizona) blasting a 13.97 to take the Chandler Invitatonal over Chris Ingrassia (Desert Vista, Phoenix) 14.25. Mountain Point of Phoenix’s Michael Woodham was the State 5A Champ there last year with a 14.12 best, with New York State Indoor Champ James Kehrer (Colonie HS) fourth in the recent National Scholastic Indoor Champ Highs. Fine soph Dale Morgan (Taft) will welcome the competition, as the world’s best at his age last year in the ninth grade at 14.22 has raced 14.46 to lead Golden Staters two weeks ago in a narrow win over Ryan Holmes (Loyola) 14.47. Devron Walker (Dominguez) was 14.49 as the State’s next on the list with his Mt. Carmel win two weekends back. This will be a very solid event.


Arizona's Cedrique Smith Hurdler at 13.97 and 38.49 will be tough to handle!

300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles
California’s best long hurdlers will tangle with the best from Colorado, Washington, Arizona, and New Jersey in this event. Dale Morgan (Taft, Woodland Hills) was the best of his age in the world last year, while a frosh athlete, with an impressive 39.01 best and 53.09 for the full 400 hurdles. He has dropped a full second already this year to 38.07. The State Leader facing Arizona’s best, the Chandler Relays Champ Cedrique Smth (Agua Fria) at 38.49. Ryan Holmes (Loyola) was 38.58 chasing Morgan at the Pasadena Games, with Arizona’s Michael Woodham (Mountain Pointe, Phoenix) 38.60 chasing Smith in Arizona. New Jersey group champ Akira Monri (Ridgewood) will add to the mix.

High Jump

photos by Doug Speck and Costner McIntosh
7-footers in the High Jump - Maurice Valentine - Harrison Steed - Tynan Murray

Three seven-footers grace a fine field, with five in the group who have cleared 6-10 this season. Maurice Valentine (Castro Valley) was 7-00.25 last summer after a State Meet runner-up effort as the nation’s top soph in the event. Harrison Steed (J Serra, San Juan Capistrano) hopes to have the grade honor this year, with the hopping Orange County tenth-grade star already over 7-00 in 2008 with goals much higher. Tynan Murray (Poway) joined the 7-foot crew with a dual meet effort a week back. Nick Ross (Vista Murrieta), Obom Gwacham (Ayala), and Jules Sharpe (Oaks Christian) have been over 6-10 this spring and all have jumped high in a couple of competitions along the way. Solid group who should perform their best with the pressure on here.

Pole Vault

Nico Weiler (Los Gatos) State Meet Record Holder

A super group of 15-06-or-better Vaulters could make this one of the better regular season prep fields in history. Nico Weiler (Los Gatos) has about all the honors prior to the serious part of his senior year. The German foreign exchange student was the World Youth (Under 18) Champion last summer, and the State Champion and Record Holder off his 17-02 win in Sacramento last June. His 17-06.25 best is the #15 mark in US Prep History, with his efforts to move up that ladder of history towards the 18-03 National Prep Record a fun one to watch. Riley Egan (St. Thomas Aquinas, Florida) was 16-06.25 at the Nike Indoor Nationals, while Blair Wallingford (Roseville) 16-04 while runner-up at State last year. Michael Woepse (Mater Dei), only a soph, has cleared 16-02 this spring, and Justin Miller (California, San Ramon) cleared that height this winter indoors. Another half-dozen in the field have bests of over 15-06 for one of the deepest prep fields gathered during the regular season in recent years.

Boys Long Jump

Spencer Allen photo
Ryan Butts (Antelope Valley) State Finalist challenges the out of staters in the Long Jump

Another group of strong visitors will test California’s best in this event, with Will Claye (Mountain Pointe, Phoenix) having a 24-03 from the Chandler meet a couple weekends back, and Colorado Regional Champ Roman Holmes (Cherry Creek) at 24-02.5, and Connecticut Indoor Champ Daryl Baptiste (Danbury) at 23-06.25. Ryan Butts (Antelope Valley) returns as a State Finalist, with Kenny Phillips (Central, Fresno) 23-05 to go along with his 6-10 High Jump abilities. Gahr junior Aaron Bradley 23-03.5 and Ryan Swafford (Vista Murrieta) join a solid group of Californians with some significant personal bests sure to come from this event that helps keep the main field action going early Saturday evening.

Boys Triple Jump

right photo by Rich Gonzalez
Obum Gwacham (Ayala) and Ryan Swafford (Vista Murrieta) are 48-foot Triple Jumpers

Will Claye (Mountain Pointe, Phoenix) was second here last year as just a tenth grader and, with a 2008 best of 49-11, plans on walking away with the Winner’s watch this year. Chris Benard of the fine jumping program at Santiago (Corona) shocked with improvement to 49-03 in a recent weekend at the Nicholson Relays. A good group will make a run at the favorites, with Eastern States Indoor Champ from Colonie in New York, Steve Crouse, 48-09.5 this winter; Ryan Swafford (Vista Murrieta) 48-09.5w during a great 08 spring; and Obom Gwacham (Ayala) 48-00 (and a 6-10 High Jump). A slew of 47-footers will make it interesting, with Nick Ross (Vista Murrieta) 47-04w, Chad Jones (Bishop O’Dowd 47-03.25w, and Chris Kelly (Ridgeview, Bakersfield) a 47-footer last spring.

Boys Shot Put

Joe Hartman photo
Dayshan Ragans (Foothill, Bakersfield) leads the weight events

A good group of 60-footers will make a run at the awards! Dayshan Ragans (Foothill, Bakersfield) has thrown 63-04.75 (64-01 from last year where he is the nation’s top returnee), with a bevy of 60-footers keeping him honest this evening. Bryce Hall (Davis, Utah) has tossed 62-11, and was fifth here last year at 60-07.25. Blake Poole (Esperanza, Anaheim) has improved this season to a fine 61-00, with Nigel Davies (Loyola, LA) 60-06.5 to join that 60 foot club, and with Arizona’s Steven Figureroa (Desert Vista, Phoenix) 60-00.25 for sixth here last year. That is quite a good group! 58-footers hoping to use the super competition to press close or over 60 feet are Joe Riccio (Horizon, Az), David Spates (Monte Vista, Spring Valley), and Justin Roberts (Cheyenne Central, Wy).

Boys Discus
Dayshan Ragans (Foothill, Bakersfield) attempts a big weight double win here this evening, leading off in the Discus. He has thrown 197-05 for the #2 throw in the US this spring, and would like to have his first 200 foot toss here. Blake Ayles (Orange Lutheran) was 190-06 last year and is among the nation’s top half-dozen in the event. Kenny Sugishita (Arroyo Grande) 177-04, Steven Figueroa (Desert Vista, Phoenix) 175-06, Bryce Hall (Davis, Utah) 175-02, Korben Boaz (Nipomo) 174-10, David Spates (Monte Vista, Spring Valley) 174-03, and Justin Cutler (Templeton) 174-02 all have good marks and are in search of a good group to inspire them further. It will happen here, as this event always starts the evening session off in fine style with super depth.

Boys 4x100 Meter Relay
A great group of teams from around the state will welcome Desert Vista of Arizona to the track. They were the winners of the Nike Web Nationals in 2007, one indicator of one of the nation’s top all-around programs. They will be right in the hunt with a 41.73 big Chandler Relays win in their state. Rancho Cucamonga leads the State at 41.69 from early March at the Rancho Verde Relays, but Crespi handled the Cougars with a 41.74 Pasadena Games run two weeks back. Traditional powers Inglewood, Dominguez, Dorsey, Muir, and Rancho Verde have been joined by Temecula area power Great Oak, quick developing into a power in the sport.

Boys 4x200 Relay
This is a very deep event with a ton of people who have run under 1:30 this year. Long Beach Poly was 1:28.27 indoors at the National Scholastic Indoor on a tight 200 meter track, so they are poised to drop that time, with Western of Las Vegas flying in action in their state with a 1:28.53 best, here looking to be challenged. Rancho Cucamonga won the Cal Relays at 1:28.89, with Gahr, Lutheran (Orange), Dana Hills, and Serra all teams in the mid 1:29's looking for competition, which will happen here.

Boys 4x400 Relay

This super baton event will close out Saturday evening’s action in fine style. A flock of sub-3:20 teams are out looking for better competition, with all here having the ability to drop under that four-times-50-flat barrier of 3:20 into quality time land. Dominguez (Compton) was 3:16.65 in winning two weeks ago at Mt. Carmel, with Crespi (Encino) 3:17.80 in taking Dorsey 3:19.43 at the Pasadena Games. Great Oak (Temecula) popped a 3:18.0 in a dual meet two weeks ago, with Lincoln, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Verde, and Long Beach Poly just over 3:20 this season. Poly is extra dangerous, with their 3:21.12 best coming on a tight indoor track in March.

Boys 4x800 Relay
A great group of out of state powers are heading west to keep the Golden State folks honest, with this a regular season event in many places around the nation. Littleton and Battle Mountain from Colorado, Somers from New York, Danbury from Connecticut, and Indian Hills of New Jersey have all run the event under 8:00, an impressive effort requiring a sub-2:00 average, which the Californians have to match up to be competitive. State Division I Cross Country Champs Dana Hills has Tyler Valdes and Rusty Parker well under 2:00 this spring with some good depth. Loyola has run 8:00.15 without key squad members, and the balanced Cub squad could be quite a bit faster if everyone possible is out on the track. La Sierra has wicked Steve Norton (1:53.10) on the anchor, with Vista Murrieta having Tyler Owen leading 4 sub 4:30 1600 runners who can step down. Mira Costa has Alex Adler leading; Corona has Raul Arcos and William Chase; and Servite has Brendon Confer and Trent Perez. All are among schools who can crash the 8 minute barrier.

Boys 4 x One Mile
This will be another fun event at the end of Friday’s schedule that will feature the nation’s best indoor team, Danbury of Connecticut, who averaged a stunning 4:22 per runner during a 17:28.47 performance this winter, against the Golden State’s best. This will be a super deep group of squads that can run very fast with the baton. Willow Glen (17:59.43) leads the State, with Mohamed Abdalla 4:16.14 on top. Aptos was 17:59.87 and close behind in that race, with Rylan Hunt 4:18.47 the squad’s ace. Buchanan has Jonathan Sanchez, Carson Keller, Heath Reedy, and Dan Vartanian as a formidable foursome. Woodcreek’s Cameron Mitchell, Chris Romo, Garrett Seawell, and Raja Handa is another solid crew. Ventura had Mike Barnes pop a 4:15.84, with Daniel Simmons and Jon Hooke under 4:30 this spring. Skyline has Ryan and Sean Purcell and Andrew Sylvester under 4:30 already, with Raul Arcos 4:18.12 for Corona leading three others under 4:35 this spring. State Division I Cross Country Champ Dana Hills has Tyler Valdes leading a super group who will be ready, with host Arcadia having Kris Romero, Renaud Poizat, and Ryan Ernst very fast this season. State Divisional CC Champ Barstow has Anthony Solis, Isaac Chavez, and Andrew Romano quick this season, while Valencia'sTalal Khan, Jose Guttierrez, and Angel Aguirre showed good form at the Azusa Meet of Champs. Trabuco Hills has James Henra 4:18.95 and Riley Sullivan 9:08.31 up front. Crescenta Valley has Zack Torres, Eric Kleinsasser, and Brett Matejka, and El Toro Toby Villalva 4:14.93, Matt Johnson, and Ryan Germann on top of a strong squad. This a race looked forward by many as the distance groups pound the hills and trails in months of preparation. It looks like dynamite on paper!

Boys 800 Sprint Medley
Big-time National Record here last year at Bryshon Nellum anchored Long Beach Poly to the US Prep standard 1:28.43. A good group will battle in 2008. A talented Gahr group leads on paper, with James Logan, Bishop O’Dowd, Muir, and Skyline talented groups up through the 400 who could challenge for the win.

Boys 1600 Sprint Medley Relay
Colonie High School of New York blasted a super 3:29.67 indoors this winter while placing at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships, with Danbury of Connecticut close behind at 3:30.44. La Sierra (Riverside) paces Californians this spring with Steve Norton anchoring 1:52 during a 3:31.85 California Relays win. Dana Hills was 3:33.89 in winning the Santa Barbara Easter Relays, with Tyler Valdes down to 1:56.8 in the open 800 this spring. Rancho Verde, with 1:55 800 flyer Ruben Danielson on the end of a talented group, could fly.

Boys Distance Medley Relay

Danbury Connecticut returns the stalwarts from a 2007 squad that blazed 10:07.49, the nation’s #5 clocking of the year. They averaged 4:22 for a 4x1 mile indoors this winter so they should be ready to roll. On paper Loyola (LA) can run with anyone should all the stars be on the track, and they have run 10:28.8 without the absolute first team. Indian Hills New Jersey was right at 8:00 for a 4x800 indoors this winter which should translate nicely here. El Toro has Toby Villalva 4:14 on the anchor. Crescenta Valley leads the State at 10:28.34, with University City (SD) possibly having Mac Fleet (4:08.09) anchoring. Joey Divizia and Thomas Finnigan are rounding into shape for the distance legs for Glendora. Buchanan, Cherry Creek (Colo), Ridgewood (NJ), and Vista Murrieta all have the talent to challenge for medals here.

Boys Shuttle Hurdles Relay
Crowned the nation’s top all-around team last year in the Nike Web Nationals, Desert Vista (Arizona) brings a good group here, led by 14.25 star Chris Ingrassia. Mt. Pleasant (San Jose) has run 64.00 with Matt Brown and Dexter Sulit both sub-15 second hurdlers. Loyola has Ryan Holmes 14.47 and Warren Woods 15.00 leading, with Ridgewood (New Jersey) an eastern power in the event.

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