Granada Hills’ Stanley hits state-best mark at finals
Junior captures the 400 meters in 46.94 seconds
LAKE BALBOA » Granada Hills’ Dijon Stanley had one thing on his mind heading into Thursday’s L.A. City Section track and field finals.
“Time was most important,” he said.
The junior sprinter was implying that winning the marquee 400 meters event was secondary to the time he needed for a much bigger goal, to become a CIF State champion.
“I knew I had to run a good time to get a good lane draw for the CIF State meet next weekend,” Stanley explained. “All the CIF Southern Section sprinters are going to run fast times at the Masters Meet because the competition is so fierce. I knew I had to go 47low or 46-high.”
Stanley crowned himself the boys 400 City champion in a state-best time of 46.94 seconds, which is likely to get him a favorable lane draw in the state meet in Clovis on May 27-28. His time tied that of West Ranch’s Christopher Goode for the best this season.
“I’m very happy with today,” Stanley said. “I had a slight mental block the last couple weeks, getting frustrated because I’ve been running a little bit slower. But I overcame it and ran well today. I think I’m more proud of overcoming that mental challenge than anything.”
Stanley earned City championships in four total events Thursday. He was part of the Highlanders’ 4x100 relay team with Jordan Coleman, Jeremy Gamble and Jayden Smith, which won in 41.34. Stanley, who is a touted football recruit, also won the 200 in 21.53 and was part of the winning 4x400 relay team in 3:25.99.
He wasn’t the only star for Granada Hills.
Sprinter Isabella Vally won the girls 400 in 57.50. Distance specialist Sofia Abrego won the girls 1,600 in 5:09.55 and the 800 in 2:18.64.
El Camino Real’s Isaac Torres won the boys 800 City crown in 1:56.50.