Nike Cross Nationals, Foot Locker finalists highlight invitational fields under the lights at 27th annual meet

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

After several of Northern California’s top runners were showcased Saturday at the 11th annual Dublin Distance Fiesta, many of the elite talents from the rest of the state will have their opportunities to shine under the lights this Saturday at the 27th New Balance Azusa Meet of Champions Distance Classic at Azusa Pacific University.

A number of Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker national finalists are scheduled to compete in the 800 meters, mile and 3,200, with the invitational fields — scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. PDT — among the deepest in the country.

Saugus senior Mariah Castillo, third at NXN, is entered in the 800 and 3,200, with Foot Locker finalist Alyssa Bautista, a senior at Capistrano Valley, scheduled to race the 800 and mile. Castillo won the mile last year in 4:52.88.

Capistrano Valley senior Haley Herberg is also entered in the girls mile and will square off against fellow NXN qualifiers Corie Smith and Meagen Lowe of Buchanan, along with Tess Rounds of Claremont.

Great Oak’s NXN competitors Fatima Cortes, Tori Gaitan, Arianna Griffiths, Sandra Pflughoft and Audrey Dang are entered in the 3,200, along with Claremont’s NXN qualifiers Sydney Hwang and Kalinda Reynolds and two-time NXN finalist Sara Leonard of Anaheim Canyon.

Mission Viejo junior Kelli Hines, Ayala junior Mikaela Ramirez and St. Joseph Notre Dame junior Emily Perez are also entered in the 3,200, along with Oak Park teammates Sylvia Cruz-Albrecht and Sarah Shulze.

The boys 3,200 is highlighted by NXN qualifiers Carlos Carvajal, Gavin Korby, Gabe Abbes and Tyler Tickner of Great Oak, along with Roosevelt seniors Raymon Ornelas and Tyler Spencer, in addition to Crescenta Valley senior Colin FitzGerald.

Foot Locker national finalist Darius Riley of Rancho Cucamonga is also entered in the 3,200, as well as Dana Hills senior Jack Landgraf, Flintridge Prep senior Evan Pattinelli, Canyon junior Ethan Danforth and JSerra sophomore Anthony Grover.

El Camino Real senior Justin Hazell, an NXN qualifier, leads the boys mile entries, which also include Redlands East Valley senior Elias Opsahl, Mira Costa senior Xavier Court, Menlo Atherton senior Robert Miranda, Bakersfield Highland senior Moises Medrano and Grover. West Ranch teammates Timmy Sterkel and Evan Bates are also entered.

Hazell prevailed in the 3,200 last year in 9:10.03.

Mater Dei senior Sam VanDorpe, Bakersfield senior Peter Handy and Tesoro senior Ryan Bush, three of the state’s top six competitors in the boys 800, are scheduled to race.

Los Alamitos senior Delaney Sanacore is entered in the girls 800 to compete against Bautista and Castillo, along with South Pasadena senior sophomore Gianna Beasley, Riverside Poly senior Kalea Ibarra and Mission Viejo sophomore Ashley Johnson.