3200 rematch between Redwood senior Liam Anderson and Jesuit junior Matt Strangio in a field that is much deeper than what they faced when they ran fast times in mid-March at Dublin. Strangio's 8:47.97 and Anderson's 8:56.88 from that meet remain the two fastest 3200 times in the U.S. this season. Now to that field lets add Newbury Park junior Nico Young (fourth at Nike Cross Nationals; Anderson won and Strangio was eighth; national leader at 1500, 3:48.74), Arroyo senior Noah Hibbard, who out-sprinted Young to win the mile at APU with a U.S. No. 2 time of 4:08.69, and JSerra senior Peter Herold, who ranks U.S. No. 3 for 3200 (9:02.53).
And yet, that's just touching the surface. As in years past, the main goal here will be to get more than three handfuls of runners under the 9-minute barrier. Who will win? That largely will come down to what kind of kick someone has in store over the last two laps.
But beyond the California athletes, there are a host of athletes from out-of-state that are the best within their landscapes. Mount Si's (WA) Joe Waskom and Ashland's (OR) Evan Holland both qualified for NXN and will be looking to run fast here. Wisconsin's top distance runner, Homestead's Drew Bosley, is back for his second go-around at Arcadia, along with fellow NAU commit Caleb Easton of Middleton. Kashon Harrison, who's dominated the state of New Mexico over the last three years for Kirtland Central, will eye up his competitors, while Fort Worth Christian's (TX) Carter Cheeseman, fresh off his 30th-place finish at the IAAF U20 World Cross Country Championships in Denmark, could continue to add to his impressive haul. There's Springville's (UT) Grant Gardner, who didn't break 9-minutes in this very race last year, and Maine South's (IL) Tommy Brady and Valor Christian's (CO) Cole Sprout, who could be the favorite to win here. Fayetteville's Camren Fischer (AR) is in the field, as is Academic Magnet's (SC) Colin Baker and American Fork's (UT) Luke Grundvig and Bolles' (FL) Charles Hicks and Downers Grove South's (IL) Jack Roberts. This could be the most talented field Arcadia has featured in some time.
Girls 3200m:
La Costa Canyon senior Kristin Fahy, the state leader in the 1600, leads a deep field in the 3200, which includes current state leader, Mikaela Ramirez of Ayala. Ramirez ran 10:19.42 to win at APU, the No. 2 time in the U.S. Fahy, the state cross country runner of the year, is the top returner in the 3200 from the State Meet where she was fourth in 10:16.45. Others expected in the eight-lapper include Del Oro freshman Riley Chamberlain, Buchanan's duo of senior Meagen Lowe and junior Corie Smith, Healdsburg's Gabrielle Peterson, Oak Park's Sarah Shulze, Sage Creek's Skyler Wallace, St. Joseph Notre Dame's Emily Perez, Capistrano Valley's Carly Corsinita, San Clemente's Hana Catsimanes and Canyon Crest's Carlie Dorostkar.
Beyond the California's, here are the girls to pay attention to from out-of-state: Rawlins' (WY) Sydney Thorvaldson, Pine Crest's (FL) Tsion Yared, Chaparral's (NM) Abi Archer, Glenbard West's (IL) Katelynne Hart -- who is the defending champ -- Bozeman's (MT) Terra Trom and Marietta's (GA) Ellie Hall.
Girls 1-Mile:
With such a deep list of girls distance all-stars in the 3200, there are only four from the Golden State scheduled in the invitational mile: La Costa Canyon senior Jessica Riedman, Granada Hills freshman Sofia Abrego, Village Christian sophomore Mia Barnett, and Mayfield sophomore Audrey Suarez. The latter two placed 5-6 at the 1600 State Final last season with Riedman, an 800-specialists, also a four-lap finalist. Boise Senior's (ID) Maggie Liebich, a Princeton recruit, should run fast here, as will Rio Rico's (AZ) Samantha Schadler and Peak to Peak (CO) teammates Quinn McConnell and Anna Shults.
Boys 1-Mile:
As with the girls, the boys invitational mile lineup is star-studded but hardly as deep as the 3200. Dana Hills senior Cole Stark has the top time in the field, 4:17.19. The main out-of-state talent features Chase Rivera of Bolles School (FL), Sam Rivera of Whitney Young (IL) and Dalton Brems of American Fork (UT).
Girls 800m:
The top two 800 runners in the state went head-to-head mid-month at Dublin with Menlo junior Charlotte Tomkinson running what stands as CA No. 1 time of 2:10.61. Rayna Stanziano, the top returnee from the State Meet, ranks second with her 2:11.22 from Dublin. Westlake junior Hailey Golmon won at the APU Meet of Champions in 2:12.62, a time that ranks CA No. 5. A wild card here could be Scripps Ranch senior Julia Morales who went 2:12.92 last year. Keep an eye out for Bellarmine Prep's (WA) Ella Borsheim, who qualified for NXN this fall and remains one of Washington's top underclassmen.