USATF XC Championships (Bend, Oregon)

Claire Graves (Citrus Valley) got sick right before Foot Locker West, and it cost her a chance to repeat as a national finalist.  Maybe that was behind her desire to extend her cross country season all the way into February, or maybe she just really likes cross country.  Whatever the reason, it was clearly a good decision: Graves finished 4th in the Junior Women race, competing against athletes 19 years of age and under (which includes college freshman).  She clocked 24:10 over the 6K course, finishing just behind fellow Californian Katherine Scoville (La Canada) and her 23:59 time.  Scoville had an excellent race, finishing just 4 seconds behind the winner in 3rd place and cementing herself as a force to be reckoned with next fall.

University of Washington High School Invitational (Seattle, Washington)

You know who else had a good day on Saturday?  Celera Barnes (St. Bonaventure), that's who.  She went up to Seattle and came back with two wins, posting a 7.42 US #3 in the 60 Dash as well as a 24.63 US #21 to take the 200 Dash.  Rylee Bowen (Sonoma Academy) also brought home gold in the mile with a 5:00.07 time, which converts to 4:58.33 for 1600 meters.

Jacksons Invitational/New Balance West (Boise, Idaho)

Barnes wasn't the only top California sprinter in action this weekend, either: Lauren Rain Williams (Oaks Christian) and Zaria Francis (Rio Mesa) both made their 2016 indoor debut at Boise State, and both posted eye-opening numbers.  Williams decimated the 200 field, blistering once around the banked track in 23.47 US #1 (just a touch off of her 20.39 there last year).  Francis clocked 7.40 in the 60 Dash, which was US #1 for a little while until it was beaten on Saturday, but still stands as #2; Williams was not far behind at 7.48.