CIF State Meet Preview: Distance Running Events

800 Meters

Girls Favorite: Alyssa Brewer California (NCS) 2:07.59
Leading Contenders: Cathilyn McIntosh Del Oro (SJS) 2:09.73, Jacquelyn Hill Etiwanda (SS) 2:09.09 & Mari Friedman Santa Cruz (CCS) 2:09.56
State Meet Record: Amy Weissenbach Harvard-Westlake (SS) 2:02.04 2011

Typically, when you have the two-time defending state champion competing, the selection of a favorite is an easy one. This is not the case here as the two-time defending state champion, Alyssa Brewer of California (NCS) is coming off her first defeat to a California runner since losing to Gillian Wagner of Redwood two years ago at the NCS MOC trials. She appears to be dealing with an injury which may knock her out of the competition altogether. If that is the case, the favorite will have to be Cathilyn McIntosh of Del Oro. She has finished 2nd twice behind Brewer the past two years. She was also dealing with an injury earlier this season but seems to be peaking at the right time. Aside from McIntosh, there are a few other contenders that will be racing with the front pack. Santa Cruz senior Mari Friedman attempted a tough quadruple at the section final but she will only be racing the 800m at state and does have a best of 2:09.79. Delaney Sanacore of Los Alamitos and Rylee Penn of Centennial both ran well at the SS Masters meet with Sanacore edging Penn 2:10.12 to 2:10.74. The fastest time at the section meet was recorded by Concord senior Rayna Stanziano who ran 2:10.06. Menlo sophomore Charlotte Tomkinson won the CCS meet with a best of 2:11.01. She can close really well and will be a dangerous threat if in contact with the leaders.

Boys Favorite: Jett Charvet Heritage (NCS) 1:51.69
Leading Contenders: Moises Medrano Highland (CS) 1:51.47 and Jason Gomez Westmont (CCS) 1:52.37
State Meet Record: Michael Granville Bell Gardens (SS) 1:46.45 1996

In last year's preview, I made no mention of the eventual winner, Jett Charvet of Heritage (NCS). At the NCS MOC final, Charvet finished in 2nd in the 1600 and 3rd in the 800. Charvet dropped the 1600 at the state meet and eeked into the final with the 9th fastest time. Once in the final, Charvet made a strong move at the 300m mark to score one of the shocking victories at last year's meet. This year, Charvet will be a strong favorite to repeat after winning Arcadia and scoring his first section title with a season-best 1:51.69. He will have a strong challenge from the SS Masters meet champion, Sam VanDorpe of Mater Dei (SS). Bobby Poynter of California (NCS) defeated Charvet at the NCS Tri-Valley meet and just lowered his PB to 1:52.46. Jason Gomez of Westmont (CCS) finished in 4th place last year and won his first section championship this past Friday.