Lane edges Oakley in historic battle

Foot Locker national champion prevails against Nike Cross Nationals winner in girls 3,200-meter showdown to highlight 50th Arcadia Invitational

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The Arcadia Invitational has played host to some of the most impressive girls 3,200-meter showdowns ever contested in high school track.

Whether it was the dramatic stretch duel involving California standouts Jordan Hasay and Christine Babcock decided by less than a second in 2008, or former Camas WA star Alexa Efraimson leading four runners under 10:05 in 2014, the meet has showcased some of the most decorated distance performances in U.S. prep history.

Malibu CA sophomore Claudia Lane and Grandview CO senior Brie Oakley wrote a new chapter, and perhaps the most thrilling of all, by engaging in a historic battle fitting of the meet’s 50th edition Saturday at Arcadia High.

In their first matchup at any distance in more than six months, Lane – the Foot Locker National champion – surged ahead of Oakley in the final 200 meters and held off a late charge by the Nike Cross Nationals winner to prevail with a well-timed lean at the line by a margin of 9:57.52 to 9:57.59.

“Definitely racing with her is such a privilege and she’s such an amazing runner. Just having her push me throughout the entire race and how we kept going and how she propelled me forward, it was really cool and I’m really grateful for that,” said Lane, who broke the California sophomore record of 10:04.07 set by Mission Prep’s Hasay in 2007 and improved to the No. 3 U.S. sophomore all-time.

“I knew she was going to be with me and I knew she was going to challenge me, so that really helped. At 200, I think I felt like I wanted to go faster and she was with me. I wanted to kick, so I did. No matter how much pain you’re feeling or how tired you are, in the last 100, you just have to keep going.”

It was only the third time two high school females have both run under 10 minutes in a 3,200 or 2-mile race. Hasay edged Laurynne Chetalat of Davis Senior by a 9:52.13 to 9:52.51 margin in the 2008 California state 3,200 final and Bethan Knights of Northwood CA clocked 9:53.54 to win the 2014 Brooks PR Invitational 2-mile over Hannah DeBalsi of Staples CT, who ran the sophomore national record 9:55.05.

“I am a little disappointed, in a way, because I did want to come out with the win,” said Oakley, who shattered the Colorado state 3,200 record of 10:17.48 set in 2014 by Niwot’s Elise Cranny.

“But honestly, I don’t think I could have asked for a better race.”

The only previous time Lane and Oakley squared off was in cross country at the Woodbridge Classic in September. Oakley prevailed by 26 seconds in the 3-mile race, but knew that the rematch would be much more competitive after Lane ran 10:12.21 in the 3,200 on March 25 at the New Balance Azusa Meet of Champions Distance Classic.

“I knew coming into this race it would probably be Claudia and me the whole time,” said Oakley, who ran the third-fastest indoor 2-mile time in history March 12 by clocking 9:56.06 at the New Balance Nationals Indoor.

“I was super excited to race Claudia. I knew she was going to bring it and she did. I’m really proud of her. I know I can definitely build off this race. I know what I can work on, especially that last 100, maybe starting my kick a little sooner, but overall I’m not upset with the race.”

Lane and Oakley, who covered the first 1,600 in 4:59, produced the second- and third-fastest times in meet history behind Efraimson’s 9:55.92 in 2014, in addition to elevating to the Nos. 13 and 14 high school performers all-time with their converted 2-mile marks.

“I knew (Saturday) I really wanted to push myself, but I didn’t expect to break 10, honestly, that was a bit of a surprise,” Lane said. “Knowing that I was able to do that encourages me to keep going.

“It was really amazing. I never expected to be here, ever. Hearing the people on the sidelines and just being in this race was a really amazing experience and it’s so encouraging and so inspiring and I’m just really grateful I was able to race.”

Oakley had been able to prevail against Allie Schadler of Rio Rico – who set the Arizona state record Saturday by placing third in 10:05.70 – by a 4:46.97 to 4:46.98 margin in the mile March 25 at the 77th NIKE Chandler Rotary Invitational, but Lane was able to withstand another strong kick from the Cal signee to secure the biggest track victory of her young career.

“Having done Foot Locker and knowing what it’s like to really kick at the end, I think that really helped (Saturday),” said Lane, who withstood a similar surge from Nevada Mareno of Leesville Road NC in the final 800 meters to capture the Foot Locker National title Dec. 10.

“I think it really helped propel me forward because knowing someone was there, I really wanted to speed up.”

Lane and Oakley led 13 athletes under 10:30, including five under 10:20, with last year’s runner-up Annie Hill of Glacier MT fourth in 10:15.21 and Michaela Reinhart of Lexington Catholic setting a Kentucky state record by placing fifth in 10:17.71.

“It’s amazing to see how excited everyone gets when we race,” Oakley said. “Just to race someone who, I guess, is kind of like me is definitely an experience I won’t forget.”