Kenan Christon puts on speed show at Escondido


Madison senior Kenan Christon - pictured second from right - put on a sprint show Friday night at the Escondido Invitational, including improving his San Diego Section record and CA No. 1 time in the 200 meters to 20.67. (Frank Bellino photo)

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ESCONDIDO -- When Madison's Kenan Christon lost to Christian Grubbs of Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) in both sprint races at the Mt. Carmel Invitational in March, he made no excuses.

"Looks like I have to get back to work," said the muscular speedster who is headed to USC in the fall for football.

A week ago, Christon roared to a 20.90-second 200-meter dash at the Mt. SAC Relays to grab the state lead, showing he'd done whatever was necessary.

He was even faster Friday night at the Escondido Invitational when he followed up a 10.42 in the 100 by scorching a 20.67 in the chill evening air, lowering his own San Diego Section record.

"I was just hoping for something in the 21s," said Christon, who had the lead off the turn and left behind a quality field that could only watch in amazement like the crowd.

Announcer Don Jones also revealed there was barely a whisper of a breeze at 0.1 mps as Christon improved on his CA No. 1 time that ranks U.S. No. 4.

After winning the 100, Christon was walking away when he was told his time of 10.42 not only was a meet record, but equal to No. 2 all-time in San Diego Section history.

No. 1, of course, is the 10.30 run by Southwest High's Riley Washington en route to winning the 1992 State championship in a record time that still stands.

Christon's 10.42 is the same time that another football player, Reggie Bush of Helix, ran in 2002.

That's pretty good company.

"I thought we had a false start," said Christon. "The guy on the left of me twitched and someone on the right was moving."

Back in fourth two steps into the race, he roared away the second half of the sprint.

The 200 was never close as Christon bolted out of the blocks, caught everyone by the turn and simply pulled away with every step.

He also won the long jump (22-06.75/-0.5).

While all the focus was on Christon, two pole vaults produced differing results.

Poway's Camryn Thomson took three tries at a SDS record 13-7, coming close on the second attempt.

"I'm happy with that" said the Titans senior. "I knew I'd won at 13-0 and my coach said to go for the record to get used to it. I was fine with that."

Rancho Bernardo soph Ashley Callahan, who soared to a section-tying 13-6 at Mt. SAC, did not compete at Escondido, saving herself for today's San Diego Section Frosh-Soph championships at Del Norte. 

In the boys' event, Rancho Bernardo's Jacob Rice, who has a best of 16-4 and barely missed two attempts at 16-9 in a dual meet Wednesday, came in at 15-3 but couldn't clear 15-9 until a jump-off with San Marcos' Zach Volpe.

Coronado's Alysah Hickey set a pair of meet records with performance that rate among the state's best despite being well behind her bests.

Hickey scaled 5-9 in the high jump and went right to 5-11.25, a section record, before almost clearing on her second attempt. 

"It'll be there," she predicted.

Hickey also won the long jump at 19-4, well back of the wind-aided state best of 20-9 and even her own legal 20-2. Those 19-footers are now an every-meet occurrence.

In the girls 1600, Canyon Crest junior Carlie Dorostkar needed every bit of her 5:03.34 PR to beat Sage Creek junior Skyler Wallace (5:04.64) and Torrey Pines freshman Annika Salz (5:05.08). Wallace and Salz also posted personal best times in the event.

Mission Hills senior Jonathan Velasco won both the 1600 (4:18.39) and 3200 (9:16.45). He was sixth and 10th, respectively, in those races here last year.

Point Loma senior Hunter Sweet placed second to Velasco in both races: 1600 (4:19.17) and  3200 (9:16.45).  6/10

Olympian senior Adaeze Noble won both the 200 (25.52/0.0) and 400 (56.50). She is a two-time SDS 400 meter champion. 

San Diego HS senior Sonia Redon hit PRs in winning both the 100 hurdles (14.28/0.3) and 300 hurdles (44.66). She now ranks CA No. 7 in the 100s. 

Another double winner was West Hills sophomore Brandy Atuatasi in the discus throw (136-06) and shot put (41-11.50).


MileSplitCA editor Jeffrey Parenti contributed to this report.