Cochran's strong start continues at Irvine Invitational
IRVINE-Two weeks into the season, Newport Harbor junior Ethan Cochran is impressively establishing himself as one of the state’s best discus throwers.
For the second straight week, Cochran set a new personal-best throw of 183 feet, nine inches to win the title at the 32nd annual Irvine Invitational Saturday at Irvine High.
“I tried to stay relax and pull throw the throw,” Cochran said. “I’ve gotten a lot stronger from last year and throwing this far helps my confidence.”
Cochran entered the meet as the state leader, after throwing 183-6 last week at the ASICS/Eagle Invitational at Santa Margarita High.
Esperanza senior Mason Miller (175-3) and El Toro senior Jake Fraser (164-6) rounded out the top three in the competition.
The 1,600 race produced the best finish of the meet, as Marina senior Karl Baranov (4:18.05) surged from the middle of the pack late to edge Dana Hills senior Ricardo Campuzano (4:18.06) and set a new meet record. His time eclipsed the old mark of 4:20.26 set in 2009 by former Mission Viejo standout James Cameron.
Irvine Invitational results: Boys
Irvine Invitational results: Girls
“I was boxed in fifth place, but coming around the turn I just opened up my stride,” Baranov said. “This shows just how good of shape that I’m in and that the training is working.”
Dana Hills senior Devin Harrison set a new meet record in the 400, winning in a time of 47.94. The previous mark was 48.66, set by former Irvine High runner Mario Bassani in 2001.
“My main goal was to test myself and see how good of shape I was in,” Harrison said “I’ve feel that I have gotten stronger this year and have come into the season with the mindset of trying to run more relaxed.”
Woodbridge senior Josh Kingsland, the defending CIF-SS Division 3 800 champion, begin his season with winning effort in a time of 1:55.29.
“The goal for me was just to get out and see what I could,” Kingsland said. “My biggest focus has been working on my distance strengthening.”
Warriors’ junior Dragan Simic rallied in the final lap of the 3,200 race to win in a school-record time of 9:19.45.
“In the last 100, I gave all my effort and knew that I could do it, Simic said. “Now I know that I have the endurance to do anything I set my mind.”
He also helped Woodbridge (3:27.36) win the 1,600 relay.
In the shot put, El Toro senior Sullivan Parker had a lifetime best of 58-11¾ to finish first.
“I wanted to go up at the finish and have a far throw,” Parker said. “I feel great and now I’m looking to hit 60-feet soon.”
Newport Harbor senior Ryan Andrews, who stepped out of the discus ring on a throw that landed 60-7, finished second with an official mark of 57-2½. El Toro senior Jake Fraser (56-8½) was third.
Fellow Chargers senior pole vaulter Adam Bragg opened his with a victory with a meet record clearance of 15-1.
“Though I didn’t get as high as I wanted to, I felt good and liked how I vaulted,” Bragg said.
Newport Harbor’s Mark Sakioka and Murrieta Valley’s Peter Chapman also cleared 15-1 and finished tied for second place based on jumps.
Northwood senior Ryan Collier produced a life-time best and school record jump of 23-8 to win the long jump title.
“My coach told me to go all out and show what I’m made of,” Collier said. “I’ve been waiting for this since I started doing the long jump and this feels great.”
Canyon’s Brent Elliott won the 110 hurdles in a time of 14.81.
Also, Fountain Valley senior Hassan Ilyas (41.34) won the 300 hurdles, while San Clemente junior Oscar Munson (6-2) won the high jump competition on jumps over Colony’s Miles Poullard and Tustin’s Colin Scott who both cleared 6-2.
