Dri Mustin was able to help the North Canyon girls lay ahold of the fastest 4x400m in the state at the Arcadia Invitational this weekend. Arizona Milesplit Photo.
As a runner who was regulated to the slower heat more than once in my career, I have an affinity for athletes that go out and conquer such a circumstance. Ali Kallner did just that. Even though she did not make it into the elite mile she kept a positive attitude. In fact, she set the meet record for the 1600m in the morning session. Her coach informed me that her goal was a bowl of ice cream, whatever the motivation was it worked. Ali was not the only Chaparral harrier to excel from the slow heat.
Even though Brandon Jamieson didn't make the fastest heat he still left his mark on the 2015 Arcadia Innovational. Brandon was able to secure a 5th place time in the 110H out of the slower of two elite heats. Despite crossing the finish line 5th in the fast heat of the 300H he placed sixth overall, karma I guess. It is probably important to note that when the fields are as stacked as they are at the Arcadia Invitational, there isn't that big of difference between a fast and slow elite heats. In both of Brandon's events, his times move him into elite company in the state of Arizona. Only Isaiah Oliver has run faster on the year over the hurdles.
Taking the week off his signature hurdle races, Isaiah he was able to win the Arcadia decathlon competition earlier in the week. It looks like his hard work in a varying set of events is paying off. Speaking of hard work, Paul Lucas has been working hard getting back into shape. It is really starting to show. Even though he had to scratch the 200m finals, he was able to run a season best 10.58 in the 100m. Assuming the timing at the Yuma City meet was accurate (can anyone reading this verify???), this puts him a close second to Derrek Monroe for the top sprinter in the state of Arizona.
Another top athlete in Arizona is Jasmine Stauffacher Gray. Anyone who has been around Arizona track and field for the past few years knows the North Canyon harrier is among the most elite runners in the state, and even the nation. This weekend she placed 2nd in the 300H at Arcadia with a state leading time of 42.45. Fellow Arizonans Autumn Smith and Danielle Burns also recorded top times in the 300H. As if the 300H was not enough for Jasmine she joined a junior triumvirate of Dri Mustin, Kayla Jones, and Symone Wright-Flowers to post a state leading 3:52 4x400m. To put some perspective on this, this would have placed them 6th in the collegiate division at the Sun Angel Classic, right behind a fully loaded BYU team. Next time you see one of those ladies, makes sure to give them a pat on the back.
Another lady you might want to give a pat on the back to is Dani Jones. She took down Sarah Gorton Slattery's 3200m state record that has stood since 1999. If Dani can manage to beat Lauren Ellsworth's 800m time from last spring, she will have a complete sweep of the Arizona individual distance records. Another athlete who stand a good shot of at least cracking top 5 in all the distance records is Rio Rico's Carlos Villarreal. This weekend he placed 6th in the 800m, clocking a 1:55.26. That time means that Jordan Gardner retains the fastest 800m time in the state, at least for the time being. I look forward to seeing them duel at state in the 800m. Another fun race at the state meet to watch will be Carlos taking on Jeffery Miller in the 1600m. Jeffery was able to run a 9:00 3200m this weekend, placing third after briefly leading the entire race. This is only 1 second off Carlos' 8:59 from the Scottsdale Distance Classic. While it remains to be seen if Carlos will run the 3200m again, it is obvious they are on the same playing. With the strong aerobic fitness he displayed tonight, look for Jeffery's 1600m to drop in the weeks to come.
Some of you may be reading this article just to find out who won the free subscription, don't worry it was posted in the preview article that John McMahon had the most accurate guess. The Desert Vista girls placed 2nd in a time of 19:59.9. Despite a courageous late charge by Dani Jones, they still placed second to Great Oak. Also competing for the Thunder was Vanessa Davis who placed 4th in the compeition. Even though she beat instate rival Nikki Baker by 4 positions, they both cleared 12-7.
Stay tuned to Arizona Milesplit to see how the rest of the season develops for these star athletes that competed in California this weekend. Results from this meet and previous meets can be found on az.milesplit.com, each athletes also has their own profile. Claim your athlete profileand you will be able to see historic results. Shoot, if you want you can even edit your athlete profile to make it look spiffy.
Dri Mustin was able to help the North Canyon girls lay ahold of the fastest 4x400m in the state at the Arcadia Invitational this weekend. Arizona Milesplit Photo.
As a runner who was regulated to the slower heat more than once in my career, I have an affinity for athletes that go out and conquer such a circumstance. Ali Kallner did just that. Even though she did not make it into the elite mile she kept a positive attitude. In fact, she set the meet record for the 1600m in the morning session. Her coach informed me that her goal was a bowl of ice cream, whatever the motivation was it worked. Ali was not the only Chaparral harrier to excel from the slow heat.
Even though Brandon Jamieson didn't make the fastest heat he still left his mark on the 2015 Arcadia Innovational. Brandon was able to secure a 5th place time in the 110H out of the slower of two elite heats. Despite crossing the finish line 5th in the fast heat of the 300H he placed sixth overall, karma I guess. It is probably important to note that when the fields are as stacked as they are at the Arcadia Invitational, there isn't that big of difference between a fast and slow elite heats. In both of Brandon's events, his times move him into elite company in the state of Arizona. Only Isaiah Oliver has run faster on the year over the hurdles.
Dri Mustin was able to help the North Canyon girls lay ahold of the fastest 4x400m in the state at the Arcadia Invitational this weekend. Arizona Milesplit Photo.