Inland Empire's Best Set to Shine this Weekend

Inland Empire Championships
Mark Gardner

RUNNING EVENT PREVIEW IN MEET ORDER


  

GIRLS 3200

Serrano's Maribel Aguilar comes in with the top time of the season.  Coming off an 11:00.98 breakthrough effort last weekend, she is the current San Bernardino County leader.  Big Bear's Kaia Hoak has dipped under 11:10 this season and was a Division 4 finalist in 2018.  Murrieta Valley's Caitlin Billman and the Roosevelt pair in Miranda Camargo and Lauren Allison Aipa will also challenge for the win.  Camargo captured the Invite 1600 a year ago while Allison Aipa is one of the most improved in Riverside County.   

 

BOYS 3200

State Meet finalist in 2018, Rubidoux's Kevin Ramos is opting to focus elsewhere this weekend, in preparation for another successful postseason run.  Meanwhile, we have a young, competitive field where there are 15 boys all within 15 seconds of one another.  The top eight seeded athletes are underclassmen.  The field is loaded with athletes seeking a sub-9:30 clocking for the first time.  The Roosevelt trio in Raul Chavez, Michael Sahagun, and Aaron Lieberman were all impressive last weekend at Arcadia.  Great Oak juniors Chris Verdugo and Joshua Abrenica also boast sub-9:40 credentials.  Verdugo was a Div. 1 finalist in the 1600 meters in 2018 and possesses the best leg speed in the group.  Yucaipa junior Justin Briscoe has a best of 9:37 while Perris sophomore Diego Sanchez has sub-9:40 talent as well.  A sleeper here may very well be Murrieta Mesa junior Cole Havens.  His best is 9:46 but he rolled to a 4:18 in a dual meet two weeks ago and may very well, lead this entire race.  

 

GIRLS 400 RELAY

Murrieta Mesa is looking to capture this event for the second year in a row.  With Chioma Okonkwo on the second leg, they should go into the latter part of the race with the lead.  Their 48.02 seasonal best currently as the Rams ninth in the section and sixth in Division 1.  Right on their heels, Roosevelt has a seasonal best of 48.12.  The Mustangs are 12th in the Southern Section.  Giving chase will be Vista Murrieta (48.30),  Etiwanda (48.34), Orange Vista (48.56), Rancho Cucamonga (48.58) and Citrus Valley (48.96).  VM is currently 13th in the Southern Section while Etiwanda is 15th with Orange Vista coming in 16th in the section.


BOYS 400 RELAY

One of the most impressive records in meet history should stay intact, despite the talent on the track.  Rancho Cucamonga has some of the greatest sprint depth in the nation and comes in with a 41.57 seasonal best and is third in the Southern Section and fourth in California.  For added perspective, their 'B' team can also break 42 seconds which would amongst the top six in the section!  Riding the vapor in the middle of the track will be Vista Murrieta, who is coming off a 42.12 - 42.25 victory over defending state champions, Great Oak.  VM is now 10th in the state and 8th in the section.   Riverside King has been consistent with a seasonal best of 42.70.  Murrieta Mesa, Rancho Verde, and Chaparral are seeking their first sub-43 effort in 2019.  Centennial (43.34) and Elsinore (43.40) round out the invitational heat!  Yucaipa's 43.45 finds them in the second fastest heat giving testament to the depth here.    


GIRLS 100 HURDLES

  • Meet Record: Danae Dyer 13.90 (Temecula Valley) 2018

Rancho Cucamonga's DeAira Jackson was one of the few to qualify for the Division 1 Finals in both hurdles in 2018.  She is coming off a wind-legal 14.76 best from last weekend, which moved her up to sixth in the Southern Section and second for Division 1.  Jackson was seventh at the 2018 Division 1 finals.   Roosevelt's Myah Hatcher, Murrieta Mesa's Logann Williams, and Temecula Valley's Jasmine Porter will look to break the 15-second barrier as well.  Also keep an eye out for Samantha Bollinger on the Frosh/Soph level, as her 14.75 wind-legal mark is fifth in the Southern Section and your current Division 1 leader.    


BOYS 110 HURDLES

A great rematch from the 2018 postseason reconvenes in ML King's Reyte Rash (14.67) and Vista Murrieta's Hunter Escorcia (14.70).  While they finished third and fourth, respectively at the 2018 Division 1 finals, they surprised a few in both advancing onto the State Meet as underclassmen.  They are currently ninth and tenth in the Southern Section.  Rancho Cucamonga's Cullin Bates continues to improve and comes off an impressive 15.13 effort from Arcadia while Summit's Joshua Hornsby crossed the line with a 14.84 personal best last week.   Yucaipa's Patrick Cundieff also found success at Arcadia with a best of 15.13.  Shadow Hills' Dylan Francis and Big Bear's Anthony Forrest renew their match-up from the Beaumont Invite from two weeks where Forrest prevailed, 15.28 to 15.29!  


GIRLS 400 METERS

  • Meet Record: Jade Miller 55.06 (Great Oak) 2013

This is THE marquee event of this year's IEC as it features four of the best in the Southern Section!  Corona junior Egbe Ndip-agbor continued her consistent rise as one of the best in California, bringing home a 55.08 personal best at Arcadia, which has her ranked third in California and the best in the Southern Section.  Ndip-agbor was a State Meet qualifier in 2018.  But, ahead of her last weekend until the final 15 meters, Murrieta Mesa's Chioma Okonkwo (55.32 last weekend), is fifth in the state and third in the section.  Roosevelt freshman Naomi Johnson rolled to a 55.59 last weekend, boosting her up to eighth in the state and sixth in the section.  She is currently the fourth fastest freshman in the nation.  Bringing postseason experience, Citrus Valley's Cieanna Norman-Thomas is just warming up.  With a 56.46 last weekend, she owns the top lifetime best of the field with a 55.00 as she is the defending Division 2 champion and qualified for the Masters Meet in 2018.  Corona's Jazmine Lucatero, Roosevelt's Jordyn Crutchfield, and the La Sierra duo of Nakyia Buckner and Deja Allain also toe the line with sub-58 second resumes.   This is as strong a field as you will find in the state thus far this season. 


BOYS 400

  • Meet Record: Connor Edwards 47.58 (Chaparral) 2016

Rancho Cucamonga's Christopher Hill has been one of the most impressive athletes in the Inland Empire for years.  Unfortunately, injuries derailed his postseason run in 2018 but healthy and ready to roll, Hill started off his season on this same track with a 48.83.  He has the talent to challenge the meet record.  But, perhaps, he is no longer the favorite as Palm Desert junior Liam Carr unleashed with a 48.53 last weekend at Arcadia.  This not only elevated Carr to eighth in the Southern Section but now atop of the Division 2 lists.  La Sierra junior Donovan Nelson has rolled to a 49.59 while Centennial's Gregory Lapit is working his way back from an early-season injury.  Lapit qualified for the Masters Meet in 2018 with a best of 48.32 and 'cruised' to a 49.50 this past Wednesday.     


GIRLS 1600

  • Meet Record: Destiny Collins 4:48.90 (Great Oak) 2016

Colony sophomore Amber Rios laces up as a slight favorite but this event is as wide open as you will find at this year's IEC.  While racing to a 5:09.83 last month, Great Oak's Kendall Harrison comes in with a 5:10.69 seasonal best.  She is one of the TWELVE Great Oak girls that have run faster than 5:25 this season!  Redland's Chelsea Romo brings a 5:11.50 to the oval while the Chaparral duo of Grace Handler and Cynthia Martin will also look to break 5:10 for their first time.  Serrano freshman Tiani Goeson is back from injury and tapping into that talent we witnessed this past Cross Country season.  While Murrieta Valley's Caitlin Billman and Big Bear's Kaia Hoak also bring in sub-5:15 bests to the show, watch for Yucca Valley's Loryn Brimhall.  Picking up the sport in February, she has already excelled with a 5:14.88.           


BOYS1600

  • Meet Record: Ruben Ramirez 4:14.74 (Don Lugo) 2004

One of our oldest meet records may stand for yet, another year.  Rubidoux's Kevin Ramos will focus primarily on the 1600 meters this weekend in preparation to defend his Division 3 title in the 3200 meters next month.  While he will take the pace out, Corona's Israel Echeverria will use him to get as close as possible to that coveted 4:20 barrier.  Echeverria is one of the most improved middle-distance runners in the area.  La Quinta's Raen Reyes impressed in the Rising Stars Arcadia Mile a week ago, crossing the 1600 mark at a 4:22.76.  He is currently the fourth fastest sophomore in California for the event.  Meanwhile, Centennial's Dylan Woodward will bring his 1:55 half-miler speed to the line.   Patriot's Dominic Gonzalez and Great Oak's Noah Nevens have also dipped below a 4:25 this season.   Nevens is part of the EIGHT boys that have gone under 4:26 for Great Oak this season. 


GIRLS 100

  • Meet Record: Eboni Sutherland 11.81 (Centennial) 2013

In regard to the favorites, the girls' 100 meters is wide open to who will take this year's crown.  Vista Murrieta's Sierra Smith owns a wind-legal 12.30 best and looks to defend her home turf.  But, right next to her will be Norco's Kirstin Light and Rancho Cucamonga's Raquel McDaniel.  Both have rolled to 12.33 wind-legal bests.  Others that will also be driving the pace up front include Roosevelt's Jessica Boyd, Corona's Kennedy Peppers along with the Etiwanda duo of Danyiel Appling and Kennedi Porter.  Across the board in the invitational heat, not much separates the field. 


BOYS 100

When Mark Perry put aside his football cleats and traded them in for sprint spikes, the Cougars of Rancho Cucamonga received a huge upgrade.  Perry raced to a wind-aided 10.68 at the Texas Relays and came back with a 10.80 last week at Arcadia.  Living up next to him, teammate and Etiwanda-transfer, Kalel Jackson has rolled to a 10.82 wind-legal best.  But, Nolan Crespo can keep up with these two and is currently ranked third in Division 4 with a 10.85 wind-legal best.  Great Oak's Grant Gaskins outdueled Vista Murrieta's Emmanuel Jones this past Thursday, 10.90-11.02!   Jones comes in off a strong 10.92 performance from Arcadia as well.  Great Oak's Grant Gaskins brings loads of postseason experience as he anchored his squad to the state title in this event a year ago.  Centennial junior Marcello Watson, Rancho Verde's Jamar Simpson both seek sub-10.90 efforts this weekend while we anticipate the return of Elsinore star, Kamari Maddox.  He was the Division 2 runner-up while also a Masters Meet qualifier in the Long Jump. 


GIRLS 300

  • Meet Record: Breanna Bernard-Joseph  42.43 (Roosevelt) 2016

Roosevelt's Myah Hatcher is the favorite here she is the defending Big VIII champion in this event and has improved down to a 44.90 personal best into the action.  Temecula Valley's Jasmine Porter and Silverado's Kayla Ramirez are seeking their first time into the 45-second range in 2019.  With tons of upside, Etiwanda's Kennedi Porter just took to this event a month ago and is already down to a 46.02 best.   


BOYS 300 HURDLES

  • Meet Record: Cameron Samuel  37.47 (Rancho Verde) 2017

ML King's Reyte Rash was the California State runner-up with a 37.17 performance and returns to defend his 2018 title.  With a seasonal best of 37.53, Rash is currently fourth in California and seeking another Division 1 title next month.  Yucaipa's Patrick Cundieff comes in hot with a 38.91 personal best last weekend at Arcadia.  He is currently sixth in Division 1.  Murrieta Mesa's Daniel Browne owns a best of 39.35 from last year while Rancho Cucamonga's Cullin Bates crossed with a seasonal best of 40.00.  Elevating his name into the conversation, Great Oak's Christian Byrtus raced to a 39.92 effort this past Thursday, just ahead of Vista Murrieta's Hunter Escorcia.  Finally, the Rancho Verde duo of Glen McKenzie and Jevon Weems look to use the pace to eclipse the 40-second threshold for the first time.  


GIRLS 800

  • Meet Record: Megan Huebner 2:13.32 (La Quinta) 2014

Depending on how they use her on Thursday, Vista Murrieta's Peyton Candaele is the heavy favorite.  With a 2:13.95 best, she is 13th in California and fifth in the Southern Section.  Chelsea Romo of Redlands toes the line with a 2:15.80 personal best, which advanced her onto the 2018 Division 2 Finals.  Meanwhile, no one else in the field has broken the 2:20 barrier mark.  Great Oak's Aubrie Nex, ML King's Amanda Sosa, Etiwanda's Laila Wright all seek their first time under that aforementioned threshold.  Corona's Jazmin Lucatero added this event to her repertoire last month and has already run a 2:22. 


BOYS 800

  • Meet Record: Jeremiah Bias 1:53.40 (Vista del Lago) 2014

Centennial's Dylan Woodward comes in as the favorite with a 1:55.53 seasonal best.  He is currently 12th in the Southern Section for the event.  Defending Citrus Belt league champ, Isaac Ganly is Yucaipa, looks to improve on his 1:57.00 best.  Meanwhile, the rest of the field is flooded with 1:58-1:59 talent.  ML King's Garrett Vasta (4:21.42 personal best) kicked off his season with an indoor 1:59.00.  Great Oak's Micah Baird has a seasonal best of 1:57.45 while Rancho Verde's Trevor Nguru has also dipped under 1:58.  Murrieta Valley's Cody Patrick and Tyler Barber continue to improve while Grayson Boyce (1:58.33 best in 2018) of Great Oak looks to get back under 1:59.


GIRLS 200

  • Meet Record: Courtne Davis  24.39 (Roosevelt) 2015

Corona's Egbe Ndip-agbor set a new Frosh/Soph record in 2018.  After her 24.34 wind-legal victory in the Arcadia seeded section last weekend, she is setting her sights on the varsity record in 2019.  She is currently fourth in California and third in the Southern Section.  In attempting to so, she will receive a huge push from a talented group.  Murrieta Mesa's Chioma Okonkwo rolled to a 24.58 best last weekend at Arcadia, which moved her up to ninth in California and sixth in the section.  Meanwhile, La Sierra's Deja Allain gets into the blocks with a 25.01 wind-legal best.  Allain was runner-up last year with a wind-aided 24.66 performance.  Citrus Valley's Cieanna Norman-Thomas rolled to a wind-aided 24.93 a year ago while Roosevelt freshman Naomi Johnson blew to a wind-aided 24.89 two weeks ago.  ML King freshman Raykiyat Olukoju, Norco's Kirstin Light and Orange Vista's Talayah Wright will use the rapid pace to break that coveted 25-second barrier.      


BOYS 200

  • Meet Record: Michael Norman 20.74 (Vista Murrieta) 2016

Nolan Crespo represents Ontario Christian and will show how those from smaller schools can fly too!  He crossed with a 21.87 wind-aided effort two weeks ago and impressed at Arcadia as well with a 22.14 wind-legal performance. He in tenth in the Southern Section under all conditions.  Great Oak's Grant Gaskins, La Sierra's Donovan Nelson, and Centennial's Marcello Watson have all excelled this season.  Vista Murrieta's Emmanuel Jones also brings sub-22 second talent onto the track.  One on the rise is Palm Desert's Liam Carr as he seeks a legit wind-legal time and has the talent to roll with anybody in the field.  


GIRLS 1600 RELAY

  • Meet Record: Roosevelt  3:51.19,  2018

Could the women from Roosevelt break their own meet record, set just last year?  They can and with room to spare!  They are currently the top team in California with a 3:48.12.  Looking to use the consistent pace up front will be Citrus Valley.  They were Masters Meet qualifiers in 2018 after excelling to a second place finish at the Division 2 finals.  They emerged with a 3:54 effort two weeks ago and are currently eighth in California, and seventh in the Southern Section.  Orange Vista, Murrieta Mesa, and Vista Murrieta have the talent to approach the 4-minute threshold and run to new seasonal bests.  


BOYS 4x400 RELAY

  • Meet Record: Roosevelt  3:14.95,  2017

One of the toughest records on file will stand for another season.  But, Roosevelt, once again, steps onto the track with the most potential to approach the 3:20 demarcation line for this event.  Vista Murrieta is rolling in with a 3:22.94, which was sorely needed to secure a 68-68 tie with Great Oak this past Thursday.  Great Oak crossed in a 3:26.   Murrieta Mesa, Riverside King, and Rancho Verde have the talent to easily roll under 3:30 as well.  Meanwhile, Murrieta Valley is coming off a 3:31 effort from last week.