By Leonard COUTIN

This past weekend, Californian distance runners got a chance to strut their feathers as they participated in the Distance Meet of Champions High School Distance Classic held on the Azusa Pacific University track. Sponsored by Adidas, this meet is unique; it only runs the 800m, 1600m and 3200m races, starts at 7:30 in the morning and finishes with a late night venue of special rated and invitational races that dazzle spectators.
Falcon Colin FitzGerald, with the advice from his coach, was placed in the 1600m race rather than the invitational race of the evening. This was to give him more experience before other high profile races this season.
Feeling competent, FitzGerald immediately jumped out and dominated the pace of the pack. Looking smooth throughout the race, he continued to push the pace of each lap to run one of the most exciting races of his career and posting his personal best time. Finishing first in a time of 4:17.37, FitzGerald finished two strides ahead of Laykyn Branoc (Redwood Vist) who captured second in a time of 4:18.12. Timothy Sterkel (West Ranch) finished third (4:18.23). FitzGerald, who can run a good time in both the 1600m as well as the 3200m, will have to make a decision as to what race he will concentrate on at the end of the season in the CIF division.
Pleased by all his runners’ performances, CV’s Head Coach Evans said, “We are very excited about how well we ran. We have 18 boys under 5:00 in the 1600. The boys were in 36 races and had 30 personal bests. The girls were in 20 races and had 17 personal bests. We had five girls under 6:00 in the 1600. Everyone ran well. Colin had a great 1600 to win the rated 1600 in 4:17.37.”
In the Boys Varsity Running Warehouse Legends Invitational Mile, Paso Robles’ Trad Berti snagged the victory from San Luis Obispo’s Callum Bolger, last year’s event winner. Berti made an aggressive move at the last 300 and put several strides between him and top runner Bolger. Bolger made one last attempt to catch Berti in the final stretch, but failed. Berti’s time of 4:10.55 at this time of the season is phenomenal. Bolger claimed second running 4:11.13, and Claremont’s Owen Bishop placed third running 4:11.86.
In the Girl’s Running of the Warehouse Legends Invitational Mile, the crowds witnessed runner Mariah Castillo of Saugus grab the win of the day with her boost of speed in the final 100m to run 4:52.88. Claremont’s Annie Boos ran an impressive race to take second (4:54.61) followed by Chloe Arriaga of Walnut, who captured a CIF Cross Country title, running 4:55.60.
In the Invitational 3200 Girl’s Race, Malibu star athlete Claudia Lane, who won the Footlocker Nationals in Cross Country, secured her victory by running a time of 10:12.21 ahead of the pack by 100m. Castillo came from the back on the final 100m to place second (10:36.79) followed by Mira Costa’s Elizabeth Chittenden who took third (10.37.27). This was a strong showing by Castillo who ran two races against top competitors.
From El Camino Real Justin Hazell won the boys’ 3200 invitational in a time of 9:10.03 followed by Carson Bix of West Torrance (9:13.41). Arroyo Grande’s Christian Ricketts placed third running 9:13.60.

Photos by Leonard COUTIN