3200 Meters
Girls Favorite: Fiona O'Keeffe Davis (SJS) 10:00.85
Leading Contenders: Destiny Collins Great Oak (SS) 10:11.64, Brighie Leach Campolindo (NCS) 10:20.36, Samantha Ortega Saugus (SS) 10:20.25
State Meet Record: Jordan Hasay Mission College Prep (CS) 9:52.13
Fiona O'Keeffe and coach Bill Gregg at Davis decided to focus solely on the 3200 at the CA state meet despite her posting the 5th fastest 1600 time this season at 4:45.68. At the SJS Masters meet, O'Keeffe lapped nearly the entire field smoking a lifetime best 10:00.85. She is a fearless front runner and will make it very difficult for the rest of the field to stay in contact with her. Destiny Collins of Great Oak will have a chance but will be running her 3rd race at this meet by the time she gets to the 3200 final. Brighie Leach of Campolindo chased Rylee Bowen of Sonoma Academy at the NCS MOC in the 1600, running a lifetime best 4:44.33. She will also be focusing on the 3200 meters here and it would not be surprising if she finishes in the top 2. Samantha Ortega of Saugus finished just ahead of Leach at Arcadia with her lifetime best time. Cate Ratcliff of Santa Cruz and Elizabeth Lacy of Menlo will be the top two runners from CCS and will be podium contenders as well.
Boys Favorite: Brian Zabilski Saugus (SS) 8:49.38
Leading Contenders: Robert Brandt (above) Loyola (SS) 8:53.49, Cole Spencer Great Oak (SS) 8:59.45, Caleb Webb Big Bear (SS) 8:52.27 & Steven Sum Saratoga (CCS) 8:56.86
State Meet Record: German Fernandez Riverbank (SJS) 8:34.23
The 3200 meters is the only boys event without trials which is a big incentive for some of the top distance runners in the state to focus on this event. The result is usually a deep field and as with previous finals, multiple runners under the 9:00 mark. Based on last week's results, Saugus senior Brian Zabilski will be the favorite as the SS Masters champion in 8:49.38. His main competition should come from his fellow SS runners including front runner Robert Brandt of Loyola, fast closing Caleb Webb of Big Bear and the latest CA runner under 9:00, Great Oak's Cole Spencer. From the north, Steven Sum of Saratoga rode the Arcadia train to his 8:56.86 PR and has been impressive all season. Sean Kurdy of Jesuit and Colin Burke of Bishop O'Dowd each won their individual section and will be part of the chase pack.