CA Prep Stars Golden in JO Finale


Check out Dan Tyree's interview with Kyra Pretre


On the final day of the week-long USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships, California high school-age athletes excelled unlike any other day of the event, claiming five titles in the 15-16 and 17-18 age divisions. 

In competition that concluded Sunday at Sacramento State University's Hornet Stadium, Harper McClain added a second distance title, Kyre Pretre outlasted a teammate, the Marshall brothers swept the 110-meter hurdles and a rising quarter-mile star from San Jose peaked perfectly. 

McClain, a rising junior at St. Helena (NC) competing unattached who is relatively new to track, ran a 70.1 last lap to add a 1500-meter title in the 15-16 age group to the 3000-meter title she won Saturday night. McClain's winning time of 4:36.38 was enough to hold off Berlyn Schutz of Lincoln Community Track Club, who crossed second in 4:37.04. 

Not long after McClain's title, Woodside Menlo (CC) rising senior Kyra Pretre cranked up a 71.6 final lap to hold off Menlo i Greyhounds club teammate Emma Madgic to win the Girls 17-18 title for 1500 meters. Pretre crossed in 4:46.14 with Madgic, a 2019 graduate of San Mateo Aragon (CC), second in 4:47.05.


Check out Dan Tyree's interview with Jamar Marshall


Jamar Marshall, a rising senior at Stockton St. Mary's (SJ), won the CIF-State Championship in the 110 hurdles in May running a windy yet stunning 13.31. Last month, Marshall did himself one better, running a CA state record time of 13.22 while chasing a pair of college runners at the U20 championships in Florida. 

On Sunday, competing for God Speed Track Club, with a long summer almost behind him and no one in the field to really challenge him, he cruised to another 110 hurdles title, this time in 13.57 seconds with a 0.8 meters-per-second legal wind. Terry Smith Jr.,  a 2019 Graduate of Frisco (TX) Independence headed to Mississippi State who was competing unattached, was second in 13.80. 

Jamar wasn't the only Marshall walking away with a National JO title on Sunday. His younger brother, Jadyn, a rising sophomore, cruised to victory in the 15-16 division 110 hurdles, running 14.17 (1.2). Zavion Harper, also competing for God Speed TC, was second in 14.65. 

Another Golden State prep champion in Sunday was Omodiaogbe Oboh, rising senior at San Jose Santa Teresa (CC), who won the Boys 17-18 division 800m. Oboh crossed in 47.54, lowering his PR from prelims with .39-second victory over Kennedy Harrison of DeSoto (TX) Eagles Elite (47.93). Oboh ranks as the No. 3 returner in the state for 2020.

Also on Sunday, Gabrielle Spencer, a rising senior at Stockton Franklin (SJ) competing for the Stockton Saints, and Trinity Bolden, a rising senior at Pittsburgh (NC) competing for Norcal Elite TC, placed 4-5 in the Girls 17-18 division 100m. Taylor Gilling, a 2019 graduate of Highland Park (IL) HS headed to Wisconsin, won in 11.96 (-0.8). Spencer crossed in 12.04 and Bolden in 12.09. 

Ceonna Pipion, a rising senior Folsom Vista del Lago (SJ) competing unattached, placed fourth in the Girls 17-18 division 400m, running 55.16. Alysia Johnson of Durham (NC) Bull City Express won the race in 53.72. Pipion was third in the 400m at the CIF State Meet.

Joseph Ruddell, a rising senior at Morro Bay (SS) competing unattached, placed second in the Boys 17-18 division high jump with a clearance of 6-08.75. Trey Tintinger of Helena (MT) HS competing for Helena Novas won the event with a clearance of 6-10.75. Tyler Cash, a rising senior at Canyon Country Canyon (SS) who was second at the State Meet with a clearance of 6-10, passed up to 6-04.75 but failed to clear a height. 

Ryan Mulholland, a rising senior at Loomis Del Oro (SJ) who was a double-medalists in the short sprint at the State Meet, placed seventh in the 100m final, running 10.93 (-0.1).