Local distance runners excelled this season holding 11 top-20 marks in the state in various events highlighted by the performances of Palos Verdes standouts Rebecca Mehra and Jonah Diaz at the CIF State Finals at Buchanan High School in Clovis on Saturday.
Mehra turned in her fastest time of the year in the girls 1,600 to finish second at the State Championships. Her time of 4 minutes, 47.33 seconds was also fourth best in the state and 13th fastest in the nation this season.
Diaz placed third in the boys 3,200 at the State Championships with a time of 9:05.69 but his fastest time came at the Arcadia Invitational in early April when he recorded at 9:01.42 which is the fourth fastest time in the state. The senior also holds the state’s third fastest time in the 3,000 (8:27.33) and the 17th spot in the mile (4:17.01).
Redondo’s Evan Malone-White had his third best time of the year in the boys 1,600 at the State Championships, running a 4:14.21 which was good enough for a 6th-place medal. His fastest time came one week prior at the CIF Southern Section Masters meet where he posted the 11th fastest time in the state with a 4:12.12 mark.
In the girls State Championship 1,600 race, Redondo’s Cara Ulizio finished 9th with a time of 4:58.10 while teammate Rachel Bush placed 24th in the 3,200 at 11:04.38, well off the time of 10:33.92 she ran at the Masters, which is the 14th fastest in the state this year.
Bush also holds the state’s third fastest time in the 1,500 (4:35.60) and the 13th best in the 3,000 (9:59.01).
Girls relay teams from Redondo enjoyed a stellar season setting the state’s top mark and 11th best in the nation in the 4×800 with a time of 9:05.86 at the Arcadia Invitational.
At the same meet, the Sea Hawks ran the state’s second fastest time in the Distance Medley Relay (11:53.53) and the 18th best in the 4×400 (3:52.61).
Redondo’s boys relay team posted the state’s 9th best time in the 4×800 posting a time of 7:51.09 at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Mira Costa relay teams posted top-20 records in the state with its boys’ 4×800 team running a 7:59.24 (20th) and the Lady Mustangs recording the 17th fastest time in the Distance Medley Relay (12:20.67).
Relay teams from Palos Verdes also enjoyed top-20 times. Its girls Sprint Medley Relay team has the state’s 7th fastest time at 4:10.92 and the Sea King’s boys squads were 9th in the Distance Medley Relay (10:17.85) and 14th in the 4×800 (7:55.99).
Also turning in top-20 performances were South Torrance hurdler Cody Smith (11th, boys 110 hurdles, 14.31 and 13th, 300 boys hurdles, 37.94) and West Torrance standout Tiffany Shows (18th, girls triple jump, 38-05.5).
