Oregon State-bound Friedman first female nationally this season to run under 2:10 in 800, 4:50 in 1,600 and 10:30 in 3,200

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

It took Mari Friedman eight days this month to achieve what no California female distance runner had accomplished in four years.

Friedman, a senior at Santa Cruz High, became the first girl in the country this outdoor season to run under 2 minutes, 10 seconds in the 800 meters, 4:50 in the 1,600 and 10:30 in the 3,200.

INTERVIEW

The Oregon State signee placed second Saturday in the 800 at the 11th annual Dublin Distance Fiesta in 2:09.79, finishing runner-up to two-time state champion Alyssa Brewer of California High, who ran a national-leading 2:08.99.

That effort followed a personal-best 4:48.55 in the 1,600 in a Santa Cruz Coast Athletic League meet Thursday against San Lorenzo Valley. Friedman opened her season March 10 with a personal-best 10:28.94 in the 3,200 in the Wildcat Relays at Watsonville High.

“I think all of my endurance and training from cross country season has carried over really nicely into the beginning of track,” said Friedman, who ranks in the top three nationally in all three events.

“I haven’t hit on too much speed training yet because I’ve just been working on building a strong base.”

Anna Maxwell, a San Lorenzo Valley graduate and University of Washington junior, was the last California athlete to produce the impressive triple in 2014.

Maxwell ran 2:08.32 in the 800, 4:42.14 in the 1,600 and 10:04.81 as a senior, ranking her in the top 15 nationally in all three events.

Only two female distance standouts in the country achieved the feat last year.

Former Rio Rico AZ star and University of Washington freshman Allie Schadler clocked 2:08.22 in the 800, 4:45.39 in the 1,600 and 10:05.70 in the 3,200.

Glacier MT standout Annie Hill, a Colorado signee, ran 2:08.69 in the 800, 4:47.30 in the 1,600 and 10:15.21 in the 3,200 as a junior.

Friedman, who secured all-state honors in the Division 4 cross country final for the third consecutive year after taking runner-up to two-time Foot Locker national champion Claudia Lane of Malibu for the second straight season, also credits swimming during her winter break as another reason for her impressive start.

“It allowed me to get more cardio training in without putting any more work on my body,” Friedman said. “It does let me know that I do have a good base to put some speed on top of in the future.”

Although Friedman had never run under 4:50 in the 1,600 or sub-10:30 in the 3,200 before this season, Saturday marked the third time she had eclipsed 2:10 in the 800, including last year’s state final, when she clocked 2:09.08 to place fourth behind Brewer.

“One of my favorite things about being from California is that you can come to an invitational in March and race against the fastest girl in the 800 in the whole entire state,” said Friedman, who returned to the track later Saturday with Anaya Ward, Anika Lindley and Ella Hedrick to anchor the Santa Cruz distance medley relay to victory in a program-record 12:07.58.

“I completely respect (Alyssa) so much as an athlete. She runs the 800 the hardest way possible. She goes out hard and finishes even harder, so being able to run with her and latch off her strength on that third 200, it was really special. She’s been the one to beat since my sophomore year, so it gives me a taste of the competition out there and what’s more to come this season.”

Brewer ran under 2:09 for the 10th time in her career, but did so for the first time in March, lowering her own meet record of 2:12.13 from last season.

“It was an incredible opportunity,” Brewer said. “I’m so glad (Mari) was there to help push me and motivate me to run such a fast 800. It really got me excited for this race and to put down a great time. The race really helped boost my confidence for the rest of the season.”

Friedman is still uncertain whether she wants to pursue a third consecutive trip to the state 800 final and an opportunity to challenge Brewer again for the title, or consider a move to the 1,600 in May and June.

“I do like running fast, but I love to run, so I end up running a lot and that’s why I can do some of the longer events as well as the shorter events. My love for running really helps me out when it comes to the longer stuff,” Friedman said. “It definitely has me thinking about possibly moving up to the 1,600. By the time (Central Coast Section) rolls around, I’ll decide if I want to jump to the 1,600 or race (Alyssa) again in the 800. Either way, there is great competition everywhere and I love racing all of them.”

Friedman is scheduled to race March 30-31 at the Stanford Invitational and April 6-7 at the Arcadia Invitational, giving her two more significant regular-season competitions in an effort to finalize her postseason schedule.

Wherever she places her focus going forward, Friedman has already established herself as one of the most versatile performers in the country and one of the elite competitors in California history. All that is left to accomplish for the three-time CCS champion is to win a state title.

“Now that I’m already signed for college, I don’t have to worry about any of that,” Friedman said. “I get to kind of run for myself this season and see what I have in me for this year and enjoy every second of it.”