Reid grabs state crown with thrilling 400 victory

Revenge is sweet. Just ask Carson High’s Corey Reid.

Reid, who was edged out by McQueen’s Sebastian Feyersinger at the finish line in the regional finals, nipped the McQueen star by .02 thanks to a dramatic finish on Saturday to win the 400-meter Division I state championship at the NIAA State Track & Field Championships at the Jim Frank Track Complex.

Reid clocked a state and stadium-meet record time of 47.15. He eclipsed the meet record of 47.52 formerly held by Del Guy in 2005. McQueen’s Arnold Carrillo formerly held the stadium record of 47.69 in 2011. Reid’s time is the third-best nationally for a junior and the ninth-best time nationally. All eight runners were under 49 seconds in the strongest 400 field in recent history. He PRd by .77 from last week’s second-place finish at regionals.

Reid was second with 150 meters to go, and put on a furious kick in the last 50 meters to edge Feyersinger, who fell as he crossed the finish line. It’s the first time Reid has beaten Feyersinger in a head-to-head meeting.

“I went out harder in the first 100 which helped a lot,” Reid said. “I saw the guys in lanes four and five, and knew that I had to pick it up more. Coming out of the last turn I just gave it all I had.”

“He hates to lose,” Carson coach Robert Maw said. “He loves coming from behind. He likes to win at the finish line.”

The title makes up for a disappointing performance in the high jump where he went out at 6-2 and finished one spot out of the medal picture.

“He had to change his approach because he was having problems with his shin and ankle,” said Julie Reid, who coaches the jumpers. “He’s a speed jumper. He normally has a more rounded off approach.”

The high jump was won by Bishop Gorman’s Randall Cunningham, who set a stadium record with a mark of 6-11. He missed three times at 7-2 1/2, which would have put him No. 1 on the national outdoor list. He began the competition at 6-6 and made that on his first attempt. He was also successful on his first attempt at 6-8. He missed on his first attempt at 6-11, but made the second.

The USC-bound senior, who led Gorman to a state football title as a quarterback, will concentrate on track as a freshman. He wants to try to make the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

“I’m not even sure I’ll play (football) my second year there,” Cunningham said. “I would say I’m going to need to get up to maybe 7-6 to have a chance to make it (U.S. team). I’ve cleared 7-3, and when you get that high it’s about your mental approach; your mentality, speed and technique.”

Part of the problem with doing two sports is the time commitment, and the fact USC would want to put 20-plus pounds on Cunningham’s lanky frame.

Douglas’ Marshall McKown took second in the discus with a throw of 173-10, while teammate Colton Waggoner was sixth at 156-3. McKown, who is coached by Carson’s Mike Louisiana, comes away with two medals.

Dayton wins team title

The Dust Devils had a huge day on the track with another 1-2 finish by Josh Koch and Zach Hawley, this time in the discus. Benji Play won the high jump and Aaron Elissa took second in the 1600. Andrew Goodman was third in the 400 and the 800 relay quartet of Goodman, Skyler Berntson, Tobias Tapley and Dallon Mendoza.

It was the third title in Dayton High’s school history.

Ply’s 6-7 was a school record. He hit jumps at 6-foot, 6-2, 6-3 and 6-5. He missed on his first attempt at 6-7 before nailing his second jump. He changed his approach a couple of weeks ago, and apparently that has paid dividends.

“I felt it,” Ply said. “My shin was bothering me a little. I wasn’t feeling too good, but sometimes you have to ignore the pain and jump.

“I changed the approach to get more speed. I’m a speed jumper. I had some great attempts at practice at 6-10. It’s about being patient and everything came together.”

Koch finishes his high school career with two victories. His win on Saturday was strange to say the least. He threw his winning throw of 164-5 on his first attempt. He fouled on his remaining five attempts.

“That first throw I had the adrenalin going,” Koch said. “It’s typical of the season I had.”

Hawley, meanwhile shook off the nerves of Friday and enjoyed a consistent throwing day. His 148-9 came on his second throw.

“I struggled with technique yesterday,” Hawley said. “I was focused on my technique. I had a lot of good throws.”

Elissa found himself at the back of the pack after 400 meters, and was able to move up just one spot to seventh after 800 meters. He ran a strong third lap, taking the lead early on the final lap. Elissa, who ran a 4:33.32, was tracked down by Chase Wood in the last 100 meters and finished second.

“It was a hard pace for me,” Elissa said. “The first lap was 1:04 and that nearly did me in. My body told me yes on that third lap so that’s what I did. I was surprised by Chase’s kick.”

Sierra Lutheran wins D-4 crown

Sierra Lutheran breezed to the small-school crown, outscoring rival Virgnia City, 76-47.

Chase Johnson won the discus with a toss of 135-11, giving him two first-place finishes on the weekend. Michael Patrick won the high jump at 5-8 and took fourth in the long jump at 18-9. Jusdan Mondragon was second in the 110-meter high hurdles at 17.06. Sierra was second in the 3200 relay with a 9:11.43.

For VC, Matthew Roberts was second in the discus at 130-8 , Steven Punchard was second in the high jump at 5-7 and Price Poston was third in the long jump at 18-9 3/4.