Amador Valley CA rising senior John Lester joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss his upcoming mile race at South Eugene High in Oregon as part of the Independence Day Showdown. Lester reflects on his personal-best 4:08.90 performance from May 23 at the Quarantine Clasico event at Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills, Calif. He also revisits his personal-best 1:48.26 in the 800 meters from June 13 at the Desert Dream - Last Hurrah at Poston Butte High in San Tan Valley, Ariz. Lester examines his consistency this year in both events, including time trials under 4:10 in the mile, as well as other multiple other sub-1:50 performances in the 800 in the past three months while training during the Coronavirus pandemic. He also shares his motivation to eclipse the national junior class record of 1:47.68 in the 800 achieved in 2008 by Elijah Greer of Lake Oswego High in Oregon before summer's conclusion, as well as his long-term goal of breaking the all-time national prep mark of 1:46.45 established in 1996 by Bell Gardens graduate Michael Granville in the qualifying round of the CIF State Championships at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. Lester looks ahead to the fall cross country season and his opportunity for a breakthrough, especially if Amador Valley moves from Division 1 to Division 2 this year. He also explores the potential of running the 800 and 1,600 meters at the 2021 state track and field meet, or possibly even competing in the 4x400 relay as well with his younger brother Tim, who will be a junior next year.