Jason Parra, a senior at Long Beach Millikan High and runner-up in the California state 3,200-meter final, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss returning to compete Sept. 16 in the Doug Speck boys sweepstakes race at the 42nd Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America at Orange County Great Park in Irvine, Calif. Parra finished fourth in last year's Woodbridge sweepstakes race in 13:56.5 on the 3-mile layout and is the top returning competitor for the event this season. He revisits the Sept. 9 season-opening performance of 14:04.6 on the 3-mile course at the Rosemead Invitational, lowering his own meet record. Parra also examines the potential for he and junior Josiah Tostenson, who was fifth last season in 13:57.4, to become the first male athletes in meet history to produce multiple sub-14 performances. He also analyzes the potential to challenge the meet record and fastest 3-mile effort in U.S. prep history of 13:38.1 achieved by Newbury Park's Leo Young in 2021 at the SilverLakes Sports Complex. Parra explains how significant it was to be able to compete in recent years against Newbury Park, but also highlights how meaningful it is as a senior for he and multiple California athletes to be able to race in their own spotlight. He looks forward to racing at Woodbridge against Carter Spradling of Clovis East, the only other Division 1 all-state returning cross competitor, along with Parra, and the quest for both athletes to capture a state championship Nov. 25 at Woodward Park in Fresno. Parra also speaks about the pride he has for California to secure another individual victory in the Woodbridge boys sweepstakes race after Tyrone Gorze of Crater High in Oregon became the first male athlete outside the state to win the Doug Speck crown in meet history in 13:42.8. He also speaks about how valuable the experience is for Millikan to compete as a team in the sweepstakes race and their pursuit to qualify for the Division 1 state final as a group. Parra expresses gratitude for his father and Rams' assistant coach Jessie, as well as Millikan head coach Pedro Ramirez, for their guidance and support, and looks forward to representing Millikan at the national level in December.

WATCH LIVE WEBCAST SEPT. 15-16 OF 42ND WOODBRIDGE CROSS COUNTRY CLASSIC PRESENTED BY ASICS AMERICA