(Photo by Raul Ramirez)
For some runners the Holy Trinity All-Star Showdown was one last chance to run in high school. For others it was a chance to spend time with peers in a competitive atmosphere. For Timber Creek freshman Brandon Marquez it was a chance to set a new personal best. One week earlier Marquez finished eighth in the 3200 at the 4A State Championships. Disappointment summed up his emotions after being pushed around early in the race and quickly falling from one of the top runners in the field to fighting to make the medal stand. He says the All-Star meet also gave him a chance to regain his confidence.
"It quickly made me feel better going into Golden South and especially cross country then it would if states was my last meet. My gameplan was to get a PR and school record this meet. I had no pressure, I came to this meet for a fun end to the season after states."
It was a stacked field with some of the top milers in the state in attendance. Marquez hung with the front pack and made his move the last quarter mile. He sprinted past Miami Sunset's Nick Diaz to win in a new personal best time of 4:18.77. The top nine guys were under 4:25, and sixteen total were under 4:40. Pretty impressive stats to round out the year. The new personal best of ten seconds, ranks Marquez has the sixth fastest freshman in the country for 1600 meters in 2013. He will test his hand this weekend in the Golden South Classic 3200 meters. Holy Trinity Coach and Meet Director Doug Butler says he missed some of the 1600, but continues to like what he sees out of the young freshman.
"I am amazed at the talent of this youung man and look forward to what he will do the next three years"
The girls 1600 meter run was a battle between Charlotte Stephens of Winter Park, Rachel Licea of Ferguson, and Circle Christian freshman Denae Chapman. Stephens took the win in a time of 5:11.03. Licea and Chapman were second in third in 5:12.27 and 5:12.28.
Other notable performances include Georgette Price of Berkeley Prep winning the 800 in 2:18.38. Lauren Gavulcic was second in 2:19.13. Holly Wooley and Ashley Heitling competing in their last high school meets finished first and second in the 5000 meters, a tough event to run on a track!
On the boys side, Matthew Butler of St. Thomas Aquinas was victorious in the 800 meters with a time of 1:55.82. Seven guys in that race were under 1:59. Running on his home track, Holy Trinity's Alex Brown picked up another win for the season. The state champion in both cross country and track took the 3200 title with a five second victory over Colonial's Caleb Licht. Bishop Kenny junior David Yarborough , fresh off a 2A State Championship in the 1600 meters, started preparing for cross country (where he was runner-up in 2012), by running the 5k and winning in a time of 16:17.16.
A ton of impressive performances and new personal bests were set at the Holy Trinity All Star Showdown. Coach Butler says he was nervous at first due to the rain, but as the finals approached the skies cleared. He says overall he thought it was a great event.
"By the time the state meet rolls around I am ready for the track season to be over. So I really am not in to puttnig on another meet. If it were not for Bob Cooke and my son Kyle, this meet would not happen. I have enjoyed seeing these kids come from all over and running personal best times at the end of the year and having fun. That makes it all worth it at the end of the day."
