FEATURE Parker, Stanley 400m Rivalry Set for Arcadia Redux

DECADE RANKINGS - Top 50 Sprints/Hurdles times at Arcadia since 2014

They've never met on the gridiron, but this coming Saturday at the Arcadia Invitational they'll square off for the fourth time in the 400 meter dash, with Stanley holding a 2-1 edge.

Each battle between them was decided by just tenths of a second.

"The previous races have all been real close," said Stanley, who comes into the meet with a state-leading 46.40, an Irvine ASICS Invitational race he won by 4.3 seconds. "I knew I could run in the 46s, but that 46.40 (which ranks U.S. No. 5 and is CA No. 23 all-time) caught me by surprise.

"I think we could run in the 45s but that meet record -- 45.51 by Vista Murrieta's Michael Norman in 2016 -- that would be a big drop.

"We always have good battles and we're friends off the track. We wish each other good luck before the race and help each other get better."

Stanley's coach, Terrell Stanley -- who is also his father -- says Parker has been a real challenge.

"Each time they've met, Parker has taken the lead and Dijon has had to run him down," said the dad. "(Parker) is tall and long. I see them running something between 45.9 and 46.1. When they race, Adren doesn't play; he's a panic for all of us."

Dijon Stanley vs. Adren Parker 400-meter History

Consider that Stanley has run a 45.3 relay split while Parker burned up the track at the CIF-State Championships in Clovis a year ago, clocking a 45.8 anchor leg to bring the Scotties from seventh to fifth and a spot on the victory stand.

Stanley clocked a 20.86 in the 200 at the Maurice Greene Invitational last month, which is also the state leader, but Parker hasn't run the metric furlong often after running 21.75 a year ago, yielding to freshman teammate Brandon Arrington who not only has a windy 21.29, but beat Stanley in the 150 at the California Winter Championships, also held at Arcadia.

Mind you, Parker hasn't exactly been a slouch this season after he clocked a 46.82 San Diego Section record in the State Meet Prelims, which made him the fastest returnee in California. Even faster than Stanley's 46.94 to win the Los Angeles City Section Championships.

But having been a runner since he was 8 years-old on his dad's San Fernando Valley Rush USATF team, Stanley saved himself for the final where he placed third in 47.51 -- the exact same time as runner-up then-senior Chris Goode of West Ranch (SS).

Parker admitted after the final (photo above) that when the winner (now-graduated Jeremiah Walker of Fresno Central (CS) -- who beat him in the prelims), Goode and Stanley took off right from the start, he was a little surprised, and making up ground on those three runners was impossible.

His 47.68 for fourth place was so disappointing that he took it out in the relay.

Just to let everyone know he is as dangerous as ever, Parker cruised a 47.03 at the Mt. Carmel Invitational two weeks ago (CA No. 2, U.S. tie for No. 11).

"I expect we'll both PR and run in the low 46s, maybe faster," said the 6-foot-2 Parker about their race this week at Arcadia. "If I PR and win, OK. If I win but don't PR, I'll be disappointed. My goal is to PR in every meet and I'm grateful for the competition Dijon gives me.

"Arcadia is a very big meet, just like State. The difference is State is later in the season where you should be running faster. I'm a lot stronger and faster in practice than I was last year, so it should be a good race."

Parker's coach, Rodney Vann, said the season is going just the way he hoped it would with Arcadia being a big gauge.

"You have to understand Arcadia has a vibe all it own," said Vann, who recalled competing there. "It's a lot like the Olympic Games.  The crowd is in a frenzy every race and there is such a vibe.

"I really expected Dijon and Adren to be in the low 46s at Arcadia, but Dijon is already running 46.40 and it's not like there won't be other good runners in there. Dijon ran that 46.40 without a push and you need that battle for fast times.

"I'd expect 45.9 or 46.1 if the conditions are right."

When Vann predicts times, it's wise to listen. Unlike some who make big boasts which produce big disappointments, Vann has an uncanny record of being very close to predicting winning times.

The versatile Stanley is coming off a mind-boggling football season which earned him a full ride to the University of Utah.

The 6-foot, 175-pounder rushed for 2,756 yards on only 234 carries, with 33 of them ending up in the end zone as Granada Hills Charter made it all the way to the State 4-A Championship where it lost to Novato San Marin (NC), 32-8.

He's headed to Utah, which does not have a men's track program

"I'm going to keep running," promises Stanley, who says football has a slight edge over track on his favorite-o-meter.

There's no doubt Parker will continue running but where is still to be determined.

Both he and Vann know Arcadia, in addition to bringing together many of the nation's top athletes, is also a major showcase for colleges.

It's not just a two-man race and the best of the rest appears to be Long Beach Poly (SS) junior Xai Ricks, who has clocked a 47.74  (CA No. 3) and is coming off a state-leading 1:49.19 in the 800.

"I don't think about who I'm running against," said Parker. "I just want to win and PR, the rest will work itself out."