Daryl Peveto
Lincoln's Nico Reaves (center) was disappointed in his fourth-place finish in the 400, but he ran a 2008 section-best 47.20
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NORWALK – Know this: German Fernandez is the real deal. But so is Charles Jock.
Although his victory in the State Track and Field Championships yesterday wasn't quite as impressive as Fernandez's National Federation 3,200-meter record, Jock had the Cerritos College crowd of 10,712 on its feet.
The Mission Bay High senior roared past two runners with 100 meters to go, pulling away to win the 800-meter run in 1 minute, 51.64 seconds, a time that brought him a smile and a special school record.
That time eclipsed the Buccaneers best of 1:52.14 run by 1957 state champ Jim Cerveny a whopping 51 years ago. Jock's time is the fifth-fastest in section history.
Daryl Peveto
Rancho Buena Vista's Jamal Alston clocked a 10.79 in the 100 finals for a creditable sixth place.
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“I've been chasing both the state gold medal and school record since the state meet last year,” said Jock. “I don't know which one means more to me right now – let's say they're equal.”
Jock, who often runs 55-second first laps, took a different tack and didn't much like it.
“On the second turn, someone cut me off and I had to hop to avoid him,” said Jock, who is hoping to run in the Nike Nationals in North Carolina.
“Then, with 200 meters to go, I wasn't sure what to do. Two runners were ahead of me and I knew I could pass them, but would I have enough left to win if I did that? I decided to wait until the final 100 meters.”
As he came off the final turn, Jock kicked it into another gear, blowing past El Monte Arroyo's Derek Thomas (1:51.86) and Ojai Oak Grove's Sebastian Sam (1:52.52) with such speed the crowd gasped, then cheered lustily.
“I just did what I had to do,” said Jock. “When I finally went around, I felt really good. Now I wonder if I'd gone earlier if I might have run 1:50 or 1:49.”
On a day when juniors Joe Cooks of Mission Hills and Mac Fleet of University City joined senior Nelson Rosario of El Camino with third-place medals, the unquestioned star of the meet was Fernandez.
The Modesto Riverbank senior scorched an 8:34.23 in the 3,200-meter run, shattering the national record of 8:41.0 set in 2000 by Dathan Ritzenhein. It came just two hours after Fernandez lowered the state 1,600 record to 4:00.29, trimming more than two seconds off the 4:02.62 by Big Bear's Ryan Hall in 2001. Fleet, who was expected to provide the big push for Fernandez, stayed within range for half of the race, then faded, running 4:13.33. “I just wasn't 1,600-meter strong,” said Fleet. “I didn't have the strength to run with him.”
Fleet was the state leader in the 800 at 1:50.40 and gave up the event to run the 1,600. Second thoughts?
“I coulda, shoulda looking back now, but I enjoy the mile. People wanted to see the Fernandez-Fleet match for the entertainment.”
Cooks' third in the 200 at 21.47 atoned for a disappointing 100.
“We had a false start in the 100 and I thought it was me,” said Cooks, explaining his eighth place. “In the 200, I just wanted to do good.”
Rosario simply could not get off a big jump and when he tried too hard, he fouled his longest efforts. His 23-1¼ was good enough for third in the long jump and the 47-8½ in the triple earned him a fifth.
Lincoln's Nico Reaves was disappointed with his fourth-place finish in the 400 but there was a consolation.
His time was a 2008 section-best 47.20.
