Apr 06, 2012

Arcadia High School, in Northern Los Angeles County, hosts one of the biggest invitationals in the country this weekend.

The city of Arcadia, and its namesake high school, nestle up against the northernmost part of the ring of mountains that surround the LA basin. I ran my first two years at Agoura High School in Northwest LA County, and I can vividly remember going to Arcadia, an important event even way back then. Since those days, meet management has continued to expand the meet's sphere of influence, reaching out across the country for the best talent they could find. The placement of the meet coincides with spring break for many schools, and what could be better than heading to California for a week of great weather concluded by great races? This year, North Carolina has as big a presence at the Arcadia Invitational as I can remember the state ever having, powered by the Wakefield girls and three boys in the prestigious Invitational 3200. Check out the entries below, including some possible highlights:

Friday Night

Wakefield girls 4x200

The indoor national champions face an uncertain field, because they don't regularly run the 4x200 in California. St. Mary's went 1:39.71 last spring, while Long Beach Wilson has a strong history in the sprints.

Sam Miner (East Chapel Hill), Perry Cabean (Reagan), & Jordan Marsh (Reagan), 3200m Run Rated

So Young Oh (Wakefield) 3200m Run Rated

Cidni Ford (Wakefield) Long Jump

Saturday

Wakefield Girls 4x100m Invitational

This is a STACKED race and could be the highlight of the weekend. Legendary sprint power Long Beach Poly (CA) has already run 46.04 for US #3 this year, Chandler (AZ) has hit 46.27 for US #4, and Junipero Serra (CA) has posted a 46.59 for US #6. This will be Wakefield's first fully-loaded 4x100 of the season, I believe, and so they will quickly find out how they stack up against the big girls!

Wakefield Girls 4x400m Invitational

In contrast to the 4x100, this looks like it could turn into a blowout for Wakefield. The closest competitor appears to be Junipero Serra (CA) at 3:52.37 (US #20), but remember that Wakefield ran 3:43.01 indoors to win the national championship.

Craig Engels (Reagan), Sam Roberson (Broughton), & Thomas Graham (Cary Academy), 3200m Run Invitational

Another really amazing field, the Men's Invitational 3200 has nearly every "name" distance runner in the country. Futsum Zeinesellasie (North Central, IN) has to be considered a favorite after finishing second at Foot Locker (he only competed once in the winter, but ran 9:00 in that race). The field includes top runners from California and Texas, stars from the Pacific Northwest and the Heartland, and of course three of North Carolina's best. Last year, 10 boys broke the 9-minute barrier in this race; two years ago, an astounding 16 did it. I know these three guys are hungry for a sub-9 time!

Ariah Graham (Wakefield) Long Jump

With five girls in the field that have jumped 19' 6" or farther, including 20-footers Kira Moreland (Los Osos, CA) and Jasmine Todd (Chandler, AZ), this will be a great chance for Graham to further display her versatility.

J'Den Williams (Wakefield) 100m Dash Invitational

J'Den has her hands full in this race, with four girls who have been under 11.80 in the field.

Olicia Sharp (Wakefield) 200m Dash Invitational

This event features the #3 returner in the US in Jada Martin (MLK, GA), plus current US #5 Ariana Washington (LB Poly, CA) and still more talent.

Tiana Patillo (Wakefield) 400m Dash Invitational

If Tiana wants to prove she's on the same level as her teammate Ariah, this is a great opportunity: she will be racing against US #4 returner Felicia Brown (MLK, GA) and her 53.67 PR.