At the Arcadia Invitational, a handful of events double as early previews of the CIF State Finals. Loaded with California's best and boosted by elite out-of-state competition, these races and field events won't just crown winners but will reveal who's ready to rise when championship season arrives next month.
ARCADIA INVITE ENTRIES | MEET PREVIEW | RANKINGS
Invite Boys 100m
The boys' 100m is a perfect preview of the CIF State Finals, featuring six of the fastest California boys this season. Benjamin Harris (10.27), Deshawn Seymour Jr. (10.27), and Quran Clayton (10.28) lead the race as the only three to have run wind-legal times under 10.30. Demare Dezeurn is the most intriguing runner in the field, having finished third at last year's CIF State Championships and recently starting her season two weeks ago.
Entries
Invite Girls 300m Hurdles
In California, the girls' 300m hurdles have sneakily emerged as one of the most competitive events after a historic season last year. While Saniah Vanardo, Sofia Lopes, and Kadence Bain have taken over from last year's great seniors, sophomore Kaahliyah Lacy became a breakout star. Lacy most recently ran a 41.48 in the 300m hurdles to lead the state, be the top sophomore in the nation, and rank #5 overall nationally.
Saturday will be the first time these four compete against each other this season, which could lead to fireworks with New Jersey's Natalie Dumas headlining the field.
Entries
Kassidy Hopkins (MD)
Invite Boys Shot Put
McKay Madsen's graduation leaves a hole in the California boys' shot put, but several boys have stepped up to be contenders for the CIF State Championship, including four who've already thrown over 60 feet. Bo Ausmus leads the state at 63-7.75, followed by Maxime Morelle, Case Jacobson, and Drew Harisay, who will be at the Arcadia Invite.
A win at the Arcadia Invitational would make any of these boys a clear favorite at the CIF State meet if they are able to prevail in Saturday's high-pressure situation.
Key Entries
-- Jaelen Hunter winning the Arcadia Seeded 400m as a Freshman | Raymond Tran --
Invite Boys 400m
Although this race will be heavily influenced by Olympian Quincy Wilson and Davis DeGroot, the fastest Utah sprinter in history, everyone else might be competing in the CIF State 400m final in May.
On Saturday, five of the fastest in California will compete in the invite boys' 400m, and four have run 46 seconds this season. Ejam Yohannes has the hot hand with an undefeated season, including wins at the Redondo Nike Invitational and Chandler Rotary Invitational. Keith Lee most recently went under 47 seconds last week at the Stanford Invitational.
Since this race will be the top collection of Californian 400m runners until May, a win here would give someone all the momentum.
Entires
-- Jesuit & JSerra Catholic battling in the boys' 4x800m Relay Invite | Raymond Tran --
Invite Girls & Boys 4x800m
Last year in California, the 4x800m relay produced some of the best all-time performances in California, including a state record for the girls' set by Santiago (Corona). On Friday at the Arcadia Invitational, we'll get our first taste of what these elite teams are capable of this season when they compete against each other.
In the girls' invite, three of the fastest 4x800m relay teams from this season will take the line, including Long Beach Wilson, Claremont, and Carlmont. Santiago (Corona), the defending CIF State 4x8 champions, will field their A-team for the first time after Braelyn Combe and Nicole Samson both finished well under 2:10 in the open 800m. JSerra, the defending Arcadia champs, will also run their first A-team of the season.
Then there's Union Catholic from New Jersey, which will make things more compelling for Californians after breaking the U.S. Indoor 4x800m relay record at New Balance Nationals with an 8:40.07.
Key Girls' Entries
Carlmont
Cathedral Catholic
Calremont
JSerra Catholic
Santiago
Long Beach Wilson
Union Catholic (NJ)
While the boys' invite may be dominated by out-of-state competition from Union Catholic (NJ), Herriman (UT), and Belen Jesuit (FL), which have broken U.S. national records in the past year. However, don't count out these Californian teams, who are returning loads of amazing 800m talent from last season.
JSerra (SS) and Mira Costa (SS) are obvious teams to watch after their insane battle at last year's CIF State Final. There's also Jesuit (SJ) with Lucas Alberts, ML King (SS) with Maximo Zavaleta, and Long Beach Wilson with Wyland Obando. This will be a loaded race, with multiple teams under 7:40 a real possibility.
Key Boys' Entries
Martin Luther King
Jesuit
Mira Costa
JSerra
Millikan
Redondo Union
Long Beach Wilson
Belen Jesuit (FL)
Herriman (UT)
Union Catholic (NJ)
