Lester, Farmer both improve on previous best opening-day scores to take command in title pursuits

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Marietta GA junior Sterling Lester and Rancho Bernardo CA senior Josh Farmer both posted personal-best scores on the first day to establish themselves as the leaders Friday at the 11th annual Arcadia Multis at Arcadia High.

Lester produced 3,340 points in the heptathlon and Farmer accumulated 3,625 points in the decathlon to establish significant advantages over their respective fields entering Saturday’s competition.

Lester’s previous high score after four events was 3,100 points in June when she had a lifetime-best total of 5,094 to win the 17-18 division title at the AAU Club National Championships in Orlando, Fla.

She opened the competition by winning the 100-meter hurdles in 13.78 seconds and capped the day by running 24.22 in the 200 to distance herself from San Marcos CA senior Allie Jones, who has 2,950 points.

Despite a near fall in the opening decathlon event, the 100-meter dash, Farmer eventually grabbed the lead after three events and continued to extend his advantage, concluding his day by clocking 50.12 in the 400.

Farmer, looking to become the first California male athlete to win the decathlon at Arcadia since 2012, cleared a personal-best 6-6 (1.98m) in the high jump and was top three in all five events to surpass his previous first-day high of 3,467 points from last season.

Farmer, who placed third last year with 6,375 points, will be pursuing the 2014 San Diego Section record of 6,750 set by Del Norte’s Tyler Nelson, looking to elevate into the top five in California history.

Matthew Molina of St. Francis CA concluded the opening day with 3,417 points.