2023 WEEK 14 STATE

 

There were only three StanCo distance runners who earned their way to the State meet. I normally try to stick to the facts of time and place, but there is a story with each of these individuals' participation at State.

 

FRI 5/26 State Prelims @ Buchanan HS, Clovis

 

Boys 1600m Prelims

Caleb went out from the gun and grabbed a spot in the top three which he needed to qualify for the Finals. He was cruising along well until about 300m left. At that point the pack caught him and he seemed to be struggling to match their pace as they were streaking along the back stretch. Coming into the home stretch it was clear that Caleb did not have the extra gear that he was known for throughout the season. Most HS runners would kill for his final time, but on this day it would not be enough to move forward.

14. Caleb Cavanaugh (Oakdale) 4:14.97

Boys 800m Prelims

Joe clearly learned from his State meet experience last year. In the prelims he got out strong and held the lead through the finish easily moving on to the final round.

1. Joe Lighthall (Hughson) 1:52.06

SAT 5/27 State Finals @ Buchanan HS, Clovis

Boys 800m Finals

This was to be Joe's day. After the first 300m of no one really pushing hard, Joe took the pace and quickly opened up a 5m gap. He continued pushing around the turn onto the back stretch before anyone else caught a clue that he might just run away from the field. They charged at him hard into the home stretch, but Joe's strength pulled him through almost to the finish. With 10m to go he began leaning forward. As his legs were slowing, his center of gravity moved further and further forward. He began stumbling. Fortunately he hit the finish line as he fell to the track...as the winner.

 

1. Joe Lighthall (Hughson) 1:52.06

 

Boys 3200m Finals

For the 8-lapper the pace was honest but not extreme. The bulk of the field cruised through most of the race at about 9 flat pace. Dax floated along mid-pack biding his time. Over the last two laps two boys broke from the pack and would eventually finish 1-2. With 400 left Dax began moving to the front of the pack (3rd-4th place overall). With 200m to go he was in 3rd and looking to pull away from the rest of the field. That was when he was tripped from behind, fell, and was stepped (spiked) on. The collective GASP from those of us rooting for him is still echoing in my head. Amazingly, he quickly gathered himself, got up and finished the race in an almost PR time. That showed me a couple of things: 1. Dax is one tough dude. 2. His coaches laid out the perfect race plan. 3. He would have run around 8:55 easily, had none of those events happened. 

15. Dax Daley (Oakdale) 9:09.12

RESULTS Prelims

RESULTS Finals

PHOTOS (Scott + Kim)