Hasay defeats Babcock in thrilling Arcadia showdown
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The Woodbridge senior battles her rival stride-for-stride but is edged out in the 3,200 invitational.
ARCADIAThe much-anticipated distance showdown between Woodbridge High senior Christine Babcock and Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo junior Jordan Hasay exceeded even the loftiest of expectations.
In a race that will likely go down as one of the best duels in California high school history, Hasay outlasted Babcock over the final 50 meters to win the women's 3,200-meter invitational, highlighting the 41st annual Arcadia Invitational Saturday night at Arcadia High.
“That was the best race that I have ever seen here,” Warriors coach George Varvas said. “It was an unbelievable accomplishment for both girls.”
The crowd at Salter Stadium was treated to a show from the start, as Babcock and Hasay separated themselves from the rest of the pack early and settled into a stride-for-stride battle.
Babcock assumed a small lead in the fourth lap and managed to maintain it over the fifth, sixth, and seventh laps, as she answered every challenge from Hasay with hard-nosed determination.
The two girls were side by side down the final straightaway until Hasay slipped past Babcock for the victory. Her time of 10:03.07 was the third-fastest ever posted in the state, with Babcock (10:04.03) posting the fourth-fastest ever.
In the women's 1,600 invitational, San Clemente junior Alex Dunne outsprinted a talented field over the final 200 meters to win in a personal best of 4:54.72.
“I just tried to kick as hard as I could,” she said. “It's a great feeling to come in first and I'm really excited.”
In the boys distance medley invitational, Trabuco Hills senior Riley Sullivan held off Dana Hills junior Tyler Valdes over the final leg of the race to lead the Mustangs (10:12.77) to victory. Sullivan (8:56.09) also finished third in the men's 3,200 invitational.
Newport Harbor sophomore Cecil Whiteside continued his strong discus season, throwing a personal best 176 feet, 9 inches to finish third in the invitational.
Mater Dei sopomore Michael Woepse (15-7) finished fourth in the men's pole vault invitational.
Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com
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