Boys Distances
Opening up the invite, the boys 3200 meters will star El Camino Real senior Justin Hazell. Coming off a Division I Cross Country state title and berth to NXN, Hazell rolled to an 8:54.78 last April. Settling for a 5th place finish at the California State Meet in 2017, he is the 4th fastest returner in the nation for this event. Valencia's Britain Reynolds has a personal best of 9:17.58 while two of the best juniors in the state, Daniel Rubin (9:21.19) of Sage Creek and Alexis Garcia (9:23 last weekend) of Newport Harbor are strong challengers as well. Mission Viejo's Luis Chavez (9:24.63) was a Div. II CIF Finalist a year ago. As always, expect the strong contingent from Dana Hills, led by Simon Fuller, to be a factor. Ventura's Cody Beeson is coming off a huge breakthrough in the 1600 with a 4:17.25 victory last weekend. Dana Hills' sophomore Caleb Niednagel will be pushing Beeson while coming off a huge 9:14 effort (#2 sophomore in California) last weekend. Redondo junior Benjamin Tait (4:20.72 in 2016) along with Brea Olinda's John Dempsey will also challenge for the victory here. For the Invitational 800 meters, Bakersfield's Peter Handycomes in with a 1:53.35 personal best. He was a state meet qualifier in 2017 and one of the best returning boys in California. But, throwing down a huge personal best last weekend is Woodbridge senior Omar Adel. Adel is the defending Pacific League Champ but his 1:54.32 now puts him in the Top 10 for California. But, Redlands East Valley Elias Opsahl (two time state meet qualifier for the 1600 is a huge factor. Opsahl rolled to a 1:56.52 in a dual meet last week before his 4:19 performance in the full mile. Redondo senior Farooq Tariq is coming off a 1:56.68 effort last weekend after taking 3rd at last year's tough Bay League Finals. Coming back from the 1600, Dempsey of Brea Olinda was a Div. III CIF Finals in 2017 while rolling to a 1:56.19. Watch for two of California's best sophomores for this event in Upland's Hassani Hawkins (1:58.03 last year) and LB Poly's Everett Steward 1:57.92 two weeks ago). The statewide Top 10 list will definitely need adjusting after this race.