Don't Skip the Friday Night Relays and Saturday Field Events at Arcadia!

Friday Night Relays Preview

Much of the top action at Arcadia happens under the lights, but it's not all on Saturday night. Day 1 of the meet is when deep teams can battle it out for bragging rights in six relays that aren't normally run in California competition. The Friday Night session attracts some top distance powers from around the nation for the 4x800 and 4x1600, as well as some of the Golden State's toughest sprint teams for the 4x200 and Sprint Medleys. Here's what to watch for tonight:

4x800:

The favorite for the boys' race would have been American Fork, if they had entered - they are the only non-Florida school in the national top 5 in this event right now.  It looks like the Cavemen are focusing their abilities elsewhere, though, and that could open the door for a number of other teams to contend. Poway is the current CA #1 at 7:55.70, with Long Beach Wilson and Rancho Verde also under 8 minutes. Claremont is right on the cusp of breaking 8, Great Oak is always tough to beat, and you can bet that Bellarmine will be right up near the front after posting a US #1 DMR last weekend. Monarch (CO) has been under 8 this season, and three New Jersey teams could also be in contention: Union Catholic and St. Benedict's. This race is so loaded, I'm probably missing a handful of other contenders!

Great Oak's girls are currently US #7 in this event, with their 9:22.44. The closest competition would appear to be North Canyon (AZ), who ran 9:24 two weeks ago. Hoover (AL) has clocked in the 9:30's this season, putting them right on par with Mission Viejo and Santiago Corona. Watch out for South Lakes (VA), who hasn't put up a time yet this season but clocked 9:15 last spring. Likewise for Weber (UT) and Chandler (AZ), who also posted big marks in this event in 2016. 

4x200:

Serra won the girls' title last year, clocking 1:38.62. They're back, and likely the favorites to repeat - with Jasmin Reed (23.39) and Jazmyne Frost (24.38), they have a chance to really fly Friday night. Bonita has a solid, deep squad that could run well, and Hoover (AL) has a big gun on the anchor. It could be a Long Beach battle on the boys' side, with Poly and Wilson currently CA #2 & #3 in this event. Hoover (AL) has two sub-20 sprinters so far this season, and Centennial (NV) has all four under 22.24 - plus, they've clocked a US #15 1:26.30 in this event. It's too bad the Carson girls and Rancho Verde boys opted out of this one, because it would have been fun to see them run!

4x1600:

Great Oak's boys are back to defend their 4x1600 title, and it's a pretty safe bet that the Wolfpack won't break 17 minutes again this year. They certainly CAN win the race, though, even against tough competition from teams like Eleanor Roosevelt and Mission Viejo. The difference could be Solomon Fountain, whose 4:16 individual time on the anchor could break open a close race. Along those lines, keep an eye on Ayala and Stephen Khan. The Utah contingent of Lone Peak and American Fork should also be near the front, the latter sporting 4:11 McKay Johns and 4:08 Casey Clinger (but can their other two legs keep it close for them?).  Somehow, Bellarmine College Prep is listed in the seeded section, even though they have two sub-4:20 runners and a 4:22 on their roster.

The defending girls' champion, Davis (UT), is also back for a run at a repeat, and it's hard to get a fix on their fitness using 2017 times. Their returning runners from last spring averaged under 5:10 in 2016, so expect them to be right up front. Fellow Utah power Timpanogos is also in the race, as is the top California team, Great Oak. Vista Murrieta and Buchanan could also be in the thick of this race.

1600 Sprint Medley

Long Beach Wilson has the top California time in the race so far this season, at 4:09.61. The favorite is Provo (UT), however, with their season best of 4:00.83 - they're powered by Meghan Hunter (54.35 for 400 this year) and Kate Hunter (2:11 this season) on the anchor leg. Expect St. Mary's College (NC) to be in the mix, as Avi Wilson-Perteete may be the best 800 runner in California that you've never heard of. Dana Hills could contend with Jennifer Daly bringing the race home.

Wilson also has the top time in the boys' race entering the meet, but there are several schools with a chance to compete. Bakersfield has a strong 800 anchor in Peter Handy, as does Hoover (AL) with Trent Hammer and a strong fleet of sprinters.

800 Sprint Medley

Hoover (AL) looks like the favorite in the boys' race, but a 400 runner like Quinton Workman could turn the tide for Temecula Valley. Trabuco Hills looks like the deepest team in the race, and that could end up being enough to get the win. On the girls' side, Chandler (AZ) is loaded - three 56-second quarter-milers, one of whom has clocked 24.07 for the 200 this season. They'll be tough to beat here, but Bishop O'Dowd, Chino Hills, and Long Beach Poly will be hunting.

Shuttle Hurdles

Los Alamitos and Servite are the best teams California has to offer through 4 hurdlers, with M.L. King close behind. Arizona squads Desert Vista and Brophy College Prep should also be right there, with East Orange (NJ) serving as the wild card - they have a monster anchor in Cory Poole. As for the girls, Ventura and Santa Margarita Catholic will try to represent California against one of the best in the nation in Union Catholic (NJ). Hoover (AL) has already clocked 1:02 this spring, and Centennial (NV) is also strong.