Harrison, Champieux star at Laguna Hills Invitational

LAGUNA HILLS - With the goal of preparing for the most prestigious meet of the regular season, Dana Hills senior Devin Harrison made an impressive invitational debut in a new race.

Harrison ran a wind-legal 10.76 to win the 100 at the second annual Dave Kurrle Laguna Hills Invitational Saturday at Laguna Hills High.
    
“My mentality was to come here and pull out a good time in my first time running the 100 in a legitimate race,” Harrison said. “I’ve been working hard on block starts and quick steps, which is a big transition from the 400.”
    
Harrison, who entered the meet as the county leader in the 400, was looking to post a solid fully automated time (F.A.T.) in preparation for a chance to compete in the 100 at next month’s Arcadia Invitational.  After a good start out of the blocks, Harrison expanded the lead over the last 50 meters to set the new meet record.
    
Newport Harbor junior Titus Hasson (11.12) and Pacifica’s Joel Willis (11.15) finished with the second and third best times of the race.
    
Earlier in the meet, Harrison (21-9¾) also claimed victory in the long jump.

Laguna Hills senior Mason Champieux delighted the home fans with two seasonal-best efforts. He began the day by winning the 400 in a time of 50.28. Later, Champieux (22.37) rallied over the final 50 meters to edge Pacifica senior Joel Willis (22.39) to win the 200.

“Halfway down the straightaway, I thought I wasn’t going to get it,” Champieux said. “But inch by inch, I got closer and was able to come out with the win and show that I can compete.”

In his first invitational race of the season, Woodbridge senior Jalen Craver took home the top spot in the 300 hurdles with a time of 38.1.

“I was trying to go out and get a feel for the track again,” said Craver, who had been sidelined by illness and injury. “I still need to get into better shape, but I’m getting there.”  
    
Woodbridge junior Dragan Simic produced an impressive victory in the 1,600, taking the lead early and winning in a time of 4:20.92.
    
“I think I’m mentality prepared for the rest of the season,” Simic said. “We do a lot of hard training and my body is ready as well.”
    
Santa Margarita sophomore Jason Engel was second in a time of 4:26.39, while Marina senior Jacob Fox (4:26.52) placed third.
    
La Habra senior Will Parsons won the discus with a throw of 177-7. Esperanza senior Mason Miller (170-5) and Woodbridge senior Scott DeCou (155-10) finished second and third respectively.
    
Also, Marina senior Thomas Gross (15.58) won the 110 hurdles, Edison senior Andrew Taylor (13-6) took home the win in the pole vault, and Dana Hills senior Trevor McCloud (42-1¾) finished first in the triple jump.