Azusa Pacific Meet of Champions
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa CA
Saturday, March 24, 2012

RESULTS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

4:10...WHO DOES THAT?
Verdon, Joyce Turn Tandem Distance Treat at Azusa Meet of Champs

 

Complete Girls' Dream Mile Qualifier Flotrack Race Video HERE

Carrie Verson Flotrack Post-Race Interview HERE!

Complete Boys' Rated Mile Flotrack Race Video HERE!

Thomas Joyce Flotrack Post-Race Interview HERE!

In an epic kick down the last 200m, Carrie Verdon (12) stole the show at Saturday evening's Azusa Pacific Meet of Champions, overtaking favorite Allison Sturgis of Mountain View and US #2 Molly Babcock of Woodbridge to win the western edition of the Adidas "Dream Mile."

The 3200m school record holder dropped down in distance to face off against the likes of Sturgis, Babcock and the rest of the elite four lap field. After a slow start, Verdon worked her way back into the main pack. At the 800m mark she was still 20m back of the leader. By 1300m she had moved into third, but Sturgis had also moved hard and taken over the lead. Off the final turn Verdon finally caught and passed the 2011 state runner-up before extending her lead to finish the full mile distance in 4:53.58.

After hugs and photos with Bret Gotcher and Jim Ryun, and interviews with Flotrack, Verdon collected herself in time to watch the start of the boys' "rated" mile, and her teammate, Thomas Joyce (12) take his stab at the school record book.

Joyce cashed in on the fast early pace of the penultimate heat, floating in the pack to a 62 opening 400m. He remained poised on the shoulder of the leaders through most of the race. With 150m to go he clung to Austin O'Niel of Hart. With 50m left, Joyce finally inched ahead. His "rated" heat winning time of 4:11.77 held up as the second fastest of the meet and knocked an astonishing four seconds off the Campolindo school record.

According to meet director Tim O"Rourke, the duo's combined efforts rank as one of the best performance in California distance running history. Verdon's victory puts her in the running for a trip to New York in June as one of the top dozen milers in the country.

Check out full Azusa Pacific Meet of Champions results HERE!

VARSITY GIRLS RESULTS

MILE Carrie Verdon 4:53.58 (1600m=4:51.95) 

VARSITY BOYS RESULTS

MILE Thomas Joyce 4:11.77 (1600m=4:10.35)

 

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