Laila Kirk is coming back from an injury and it doesn't seem likely that she will be in good enough shape in 3 weeks to beat Grace Smith. But Kirk is talented enough to eventually break the CA state record in the 800.
She ran 2:10 a week ago. Injury since then? That is unfortunate.
No. An injury earlier this year which cost Kirk a lot of training time.
2:10 is a good time but she will probably need to run at least 2:07 and maybe 2:06 to win. And she is running out of time to get into that kind of shape.
No. An injury earlier this year which cost Kirk a lot of training time.
2:10 is a good time but she will probably need to run at least 2:07 and maybe 2:06 to win. And she is running out of time to get into that kind of shape.
She's going to need to run faster than 2:06 if she wants to win a state title. She will do better than that some day, but not this year. Braelyn Combe ran a 2:04 at the Ten in March and split a 2:03 at Arcadia in the 4x8. If Braelyn doesn't run the 800, Grace Smith will probably win with a 2:05. Combe might beat the state record in the 800 this year, but Smith or Kirk will probably beat that time before they're done, as Trackflation continues.
Alright, its that time of the season again. Pre-division state champion predictions. As per usual, everything interesting happens in the next three weeks:
B100: Benjamin Harris
B200: Nicolas Obimgba
B400: Ayden Parker
B800: Josiah Bowman
B1600: Maximo Zavaleta
B3200: Cooper Stream
B110H: Jasir Fontenot
B300H: Jayden Rendon
B4x100: Servite
B4x400: Central East
B4x800: Mira Costa
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I wouldn’t be surprised if JSerra boys win the 4x800
Alright, its that time of the season again. Pre-division state champion predictions. As per usual, everything interesting happens in the next three weeks:
B100: Benjamin Harris
B200: Nicolas Obimgba
B400: Ayden Parker
B800: Josiah Bowman
B1600: Maximo Zavaleta
B3200: Cooper Stream
B110H: Jasir Fontenot
B300H: Jayden Rendon
B4x100: Servite
B4x400: Central East
B4x800: Mira Costa
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I wouldn’t be surprised if JSerra boys win the 4x800
It may come down to who has more fresh legs by Saturday night. Heats in 800 and 1600 on Friday in 100 degree heat followed by Finals just one hour after 800 is pretty brutal. Morales actually ran faster on his relay leg after finishing 3rd in individual race and split 1:50 point. Both teams have guys that could make individual finals (Desai, Burger, Morales, Burnett) but it sure would be nice if CIF scheduled this event when teams could have fresh runners so there could be a shot at a sub 7:30 time.
... it sure would be nice if CIF scheduled this event when teams could have fresh runners so there could be a shot at a sub 7:30 time.
I love that the 4x8 is one of the last events at State, as it is always one of the most exciting. The silly thing this year is that teams have to run it 3 more times than they did last year to qualify for finals, so it's putting even more races on the legs of the stars who run other events.
The depth of the southern section on full display today in the 800, as well as other events. Several 1:54/1:55 runners won't be moving on, and there's still divison finals, section prelim/finals to go. Good thing a lot of them can find some redemption in the 4x800
Just watch the SS Division 1 and I was impressed by Portola's sophomore Azra Gercek. She split 53.6 in the 4 X 400. Right now she is at 2:10 for the 800. With that much speed I will not be surprised if she gets under 2:05 at state and wins.
Just watch the SS Division 1 and I was impressed by Portola's sophomore Azra Gercek. She split 53.6 in the 4 X 400. Right now she is at 2:10 for the 800. With that much speed I will not be surprised if she gets under 2:05 at state and wins.
When Azra Gercek was in 7th or 8th, she was clocking 26 secs for 200m (you can see them on the old Tesoro Open or Erin Joyce Open in 2023 or 2024). She used to train at the Northwood HS track during 7th and 8th grade.
Just watch the SS Division 1 and I was impressed by Portola's sophomore Azra Gercek. She split 53.6 in the 4 X 400. Right now she is at 2:10 for the 800. With that much speed I will not be surprised if she gets under 2:05 at state and wins.
Thank you for the comments. We were expecting sub 2:10 but sometimes it is taking a bit time to cross the barrier. She is trying to compete for U18 Championship in Europe also if she is selected for National Team
Just watch the SS Division 1 and I was impressed by Portola's sophomore Azra Gercek. She split 53.6 in the 4 X 400. Right now she is at 2:10 for the 800. With that much speed I will not be surprised if she gets under 2:05 at state and wins.
