Who to look out for this year? Thoughts and predictions?
Sadie…oh wait…😞
Although I believe that Sadie made the right move to end her HS career, I wonder if the less then stupendos NXN results played a big factor. Hard to claim you are the bomb when in the biggest CC race each year you run in you finish poorly.
Not to mention Sadie will be just a tad short of 19 at the time the CA season is over. Time to move on.
Although I believe that Sadie made the right move to end her HS career, I wonder if the less then stupendos NXN results played a big factor. Hard to claim you are the bomb when in the biggest CC race each year you run in you finish poorly.
Not to mention Sadie will be just a tad short of 19 at the time the CA season is over. Time to move on.
she mentioned in a couple of her interviews this year that her college career will be more important than her HS career
few things to watch out for this season, writing them down now so that I can say "I told you so" if I get any of the esoteric ones correct.
Guys side:
- Freshman Zion Williams of Mira Costa ran 10.25(!!!!) last summer. Looks like he moved to Texas though - not sure what is going on there.
- Brandon Arrington Jr leads a bunch of very young, very fast sprinters. Included are Jalen Ford of Bakersfield, Demare Dezeurn of Bishop Alemany, Benjamin Harris of LBP, Jaden Jefferson of DLS, Kaedyn Burroughs of Wilson, Prince Najeed-Babaloa Buchango of Archbishop Mitty, and Roosevelt Reuben of Cathedral.
- Watch out for freshman Jaelen Hunter of Servite and Kwanna Smith of Jesuit, who come into HS with PRs of 46.84(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dude these kids aren't real) and 47.91 in the 400m.
- Alden Morales of Jesuit - not sure what he's been up to but if he stays healthy he's gonna be a threat in the 800. Wyland Obando of Wilson dropped 10 seconds off his 800 last year, and has already gone 1:19 this year in the 600.
- The 4x100 was deeper than usual last year. Long Beach Poly ran 40.80 with a team of 3 freshman and 1 sophomore. Watch out for Notre Dame and Chaminade, who ran 40.97 and 41.08 respectively with teams of all underclassmen. Rancho Cucomonga had a notably deep team as well, running 41.1 despite getting DQ'd sometime around leagues.
- The 4x400 was deep as well, and the top 5 programs in the state last year, Wilson, LBP, Central, Culver City, and Cathedral always reload. Watch for some crazy showdowns at Arcadia, Masters, and State this year. I wouldn't be shocked to see one of the teams run 3:09.
- The 4x800 only gets deeper. Now in it's 3rd year as an event, I have no doubt that someone will run low 7:30s this year. I do think qualification to the state meet does need to be revisited though. No at-larges means some very good teams stayed home last year.
- Joshua Harrell - 7 feet as a sophomore, Davis Benson, 6'8 as a freshman.
- State title frontrunners: Poly, Wilson, Central. I think De La Salle could do some serious damage with it's combination of a star sprinter, fast 4x100, and star distance runner Trey Caldwell. Notre Dame has a great relay, and some good individuals in the field events, and often gets a transfer.
- The girls 800 was unusually deep last year, with a number running sub 2:10 and sub 2:08 last year. Keaton Robar, who had a late peak last year, leads the group.
- Sisters Makenna and Morgan Herbst, the defending 300mh champion who went undefeated last year, of Carlsbad offer a devastating 1-2 punch in the 800 and 300 hurdles.
- Wilson has an insane group of underclassmen sprinters that include Saniah Varnado, Brooke Blue, and Kaylin Edwards. I would the defending champions as the heavy favorites to repeat their title yet again.
- Loren Webster of Wilson returns with a PR of 20'9. She could jump historically far this season.
- JSerra ran 3:46 in the 4x400 with a team of all distance runners! It seems like at least two were injured this XC season, but it should be interesting to watch how they do again this season.
- As mentioned previously, Wilson is the heavy, heavy favorite for the state title going into the season, but Santiago could pull an upset with it's heavy distance strength, Notre Dame has field prowess, and Carlsbad has the afermentioned Herbst sisters.
By the way, Brandon Arringon ran 6.79 with a still wind and 15.41 with a negative 0.5 wind a few weeks ago. Considering he ran 20.4 and 10.27 with PRs of 6.80 and 15.6 at the end of the winter last year, I think we could be in for some historical times from him this year.
Although I believe that Sadie made the right move to end her HS career, I wonder if the less then stupendos NXN results played a big factor. Hard to claim you are the bomb when in the biggest CC race each year you run in you finish poorly.
Not to mention Sadie will be just a tad short of 19 at the time the CA season is over. Time to move on.
She turns 19 in August next year... she'll still be months away from 19 when she graduates HS. That's fairly common. She's not that old bro lol
few things to watch out for this season, writing them down now so that I can say "I told you so" if I get any of the esoteric ones correct.
Guys side:
- Freshman Zion Williams of Mira Costa ran 10.25(!!!!) last summer. Looks like he moved to Texas though - not sure what is going on there.
- Brandon Arrington Jr leads a bunch of very young, very fast sprinters. Included are Jalen Ford of Bakersfield, Demare Dezeurn of Bishop Alemany, Benjamin Harris of LBP, Jaden Jefferson of DLS, Kaedyn Burroughs of Wilson, Prince Najeed-Babaloa Buchango of Archbishop Mitty, and Roosevelt Reuben of Cathedral.
- Watch out for freshman Jaelen Hunter of Servite and Kwanna Smith of Jesuit, who come into HS with PRs of 46.84(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dude these kids aren't real) and 47.91 in the 400m.
- Alden Morales of Jesuit - not sure what he's been up to but if he stays healthy he's gonna be a threat in the 800. Wyland Obando of Wilson dropped 10 seconds off his 800 last year, and has already gone 1:19 this year in the 600.
- The 4x100 was deeper than usual last year. Long Beach Poly ran 40.80 with a team of 3 freshman and 1 sophomore. Watch out for Notre Dame and Chaminade, who ran 40.97 and 41.08 respectively with teams of all underclassmen. Rancho Cucomonga had a notably deep team as well, running 41.1 despite getting DQ'd sometime around leagues.
- The 4x400 was deep as well, and the top 5 programs in the state last year, Wilson, LBP, Central, Culver City, and Cathedral always reload. Watch for some crazy showdowns at Arcadia, Masters, and State this year. I wouldn't be shocked to see one of the teams run 3:09.
- The 4x800 only gets deeper. Now in it's 3rd year as an event, I have no doubt that someone will run low 7:30s this year. I do think qualification to the state meet does need to be revisited though. No at-larges means some very good teams stayed home last year.
- Joshua Harrell - 7 feet as a sophomore, Davis Benson, 6'8 as a freshman.
- State title frontrunners: Poly, Wilson, Central. I think De La Salle could do some serious damage with it's combination of a star sprinter, fast 4x100, and star distance runner Trey Caldwell. Notre Dame has a great relay, and some good individuals in the field events, and often gets a transfer.
Good God. I don't know what's up with all the freshmen this year. I hope the stars from last year, along with the upcoming ones, stay healthy and consistent.
At the end of the day, no one cares how young you are if you're not able to replicate your impressive times.
The state meet is long overdue for some Arcadia level national-ranking times. Closest we've had in the last 5-6 years or so was Dijon Stanley's 45.7 in 2023. Hoping to see 10.2x, 20.3x, 45.xx and 1:49.xx this coming season.
few things to watch out for this season, writing them down now so that I can say "I told you so" if I get any of the esoteric ones correct.
Guys side:
- Freshman Zion Williams of Mira Costa ran 10.25(!!!!) last summer. Looks like he moved to Texas though - not sure what is going on there.
- Brandon Arrington Jr leads a bunch of very young, very fast sprinters. Included are Jalen Ford of Bakersfield, Demare Dezeurn of Bishop Alemany, Benjamin Harris of LBP, Jaden Jefferson of DLS, Kaedyn Burroughs of Wilson, Prince Najeed-Babaloa Buchango of Archbishop Mitty, and Roosevelt Reuben of Cathedral.
- Watch out for freshman Jaelen Hunter of Servite and Kwanna Smith of Jesuit, who come into HS with PRs of 46.84(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! dude these kids aren't real) and 47.91 in the 400m.
- Alden Morales of Jesuit - not sure what he's been up to but if he stays healthy he's gonna be a threat in the 800. Wyland Obando of Wilson dropped 10 seconds off his 800 last year, and has already gone 1:19 this year in the 600.
- The 4x100 was deeper than usual last year. Long Beach Poly ran 40.80 with a team of 3 freshman and 1 sophomore. Watch out for Notre Dame and Chaminade, who ran 40.97 and 41.08 respectively with teams of all underclassmen. Rancho Cucomonga had a notably deep team as well, running 41.1 despite getting DQ'd sometime around leagues.
- The 4x400 was deep as well, and the top 5 programs in the state last year, Wilson, LBP, Central, Culver City, and Cathedral always reload. Watch for some crazy showdowns at Arcadia, Masters, and State this year. I wouldn't be shocked to see one of the teams run 3:09.
- The 4x800 only gets deeper. Now in it's 3rd year as an event, I have no doubt that someone will run low 7:30s this year. I do think qualification to the state meet does need to be revisited though. No at-larges means some very good teams stayed home last year.
- Joshua Harrell - 7 feet as a sophomore, Davis Benson, 6'8 as a freshman.
- State title frontrunners: Poly, Wilson, Central. I think De La Salle could do some serious damage with it's combination of a star sprinter, fast 4x100, and star distance runner Trey Caldwell. Notre Dame has a great relay, and some good individuals in the field events, and often gets a transfer.
Good God. I don't know what's up with all the freshmen this year. I hope the stars from last year, along with the upcoming ones, stay healthy and consistent.
At the end of the day, no one cares how young you are if you're not able to replicate your impressive times.
The state meet is long overdue for some Arcadia level national-ranking times. Closest we've had in the last 5-6 years or so was Dijon Stanley's 45.7 in 2023. Hoping to see 10.2x, 20.3x, 45.xx and 1:49.xx this coming season.
I think we will soon. We haven't seen those times at the state meet mostly because of the weather. The past few years there have been enormous gusts of wind that really hold back any sort of fast times in anything other than the 100/200.
In the 800 at least no one has wanted to take it out fast from the gun. Joe Lighthall won in 2023 by taking it far out and no one went with him.
I think we will soon. We haven't seen those times at the state meet mostly because of the weather. The past few years there have been enormous gusts of wind that really hold back any sort of fast times in anything other than the 100/200.
In the 800 at least no one has wanted to take it out fast from the gun. Joe Lighthall won in 2023 by taking it far out and no one went with him.
This is probably more of a pet peeve nitpick but I also just despise the way Cali starts the 800. It should never be a waterfall start. I understand if it's to accommodate slightly more athletes but the 800 should not be treated like the mile.
Running a fast first 200M is imperative in running a blazing 800M time and it's harder to do that when you have everyone trying to merge into one lane at once with a waterfall
I don't think we've seen a 1:49 at state since 2011 or 2012
Agree, that water fall start in the ,800 is just plain stupid. Anyone disagree?
I have been summoned at the mentioning of 800 waterfall crap talk. And no, I’d be shocked if anyone disagrees. Lanes are just better in every way
I think back in the early 2010s is when CA switched to a waterfall start, so it hasn’t been around for very long. And they were able to add the whole 4x8 to the state meet, which shocked me but was a welcome surprise, so… I hope they too can consider going back to starting the 800 the right way so we can see some faster times.
Agree, that water fall start in the ,800 is just plain stupid. Anyone disagree?
I have been summoned at the mentioning of 800 waterfall crap talk. And no, I’d be shocked if anyone disagrees. Lanes are just better in every way
I think back in the early 2010s is when CA switched to a waterfall start, so it hasn’t been around for very long. And they were able to add the whole 4x8 to the state meet, which shocked me but was a welcome surprise, so… I hope they too can consider going back to starting the 800 the right way so we can see some faster times.
Part of the issue when figuring out waterfall vs lanes for heats and stuff for state prelims is that the number of people that go to the state meet every year is variable because of at-larges and stuff like SF and OK having time standards at their masters meet.
Sure, you can add more heats if you have more people, but the more heats you add, the less people auto-Q out of each heat, which would have the effect of slowing down times in state finals the next day because athletes would need to race harder to even get out of their heat.
Although I believe that Sadie made the right move to end her HS career, I wonder if the less then stupendos NXN results played a big factor. Hard to claim you are the bomb when in the biggest CC race each year you run in you finish poorly.
Not to mention Sadie will be just a tad short of 19 at the time the CA season is over. Time to move on.
she mentioned in a couple of her interviews this year that her college career will be more important than her HS career
I have been summoned at the mentioning of 800 waterfall crap talk. And no, I’d be shocked if anyone disagrees. Lanes are just better in every way
I think back in the early 2010s is when CA switched to a waterfall start, so it hasn’t been around for very long. And they were able to add the whole 4x8 to the state meet, which shocked me but was a welcome surprise, so… I hope they too can consider going back to starting the 800 the right way so we can see some faster times.
Part of the issue when figuring out waterfall vs lanes for heats and stuff for state prelims is that the number of people that go to the state meet every year is variable because of at-larges and stuff like SF and OK having time standards at their masters meet.
Sure, you can add more heats if you have more people, but the more heats you add, the less people auto-Q out of each heat, which would have the effect of slowing down times in state finals the next day because athletes would need to race harder to even get out of their heat.
Personally I think it could handled the same way they handle 400 and below. And to be fair it's also very uncommon for there to be more than 3 preliminary heats per event.
So, you'd have the top two from each heat, 2 x 3 = 6 auto-Q's, plus the next three fastest times for a total of 9 finalists for the 9-lane Buchanan track.
- The girls 800 was unusually deep last year, with a number running sub 2:10 and sub 2:08 last year. Keaton Robar, who had a late peak last year, leads the group.
- Sisters Makenna and Morgan Herbst, the defending 300mh champion who went undefeated last year, of Carlsbad offer a devastating 1-2 punch in the 800 and 300 hurdles.
Makenna Herbst will beat Keaton Robar and all the other girls at State. And Makenna will also win a national championship in the 800. She is waaay more talented than people realize.