5. Hunted down (boys sprints)Last season's surprise double sprint champion at the California state meet was Remontay McClain, of
Covina.
George Farmer
Photo by Louis Lopez
On Saturday, he certainly proved he was no one-year fluke, recording times of 10.64 and 21.35 seconds. But in each race he was taken down by late-charging George Farmer
(Serra, Gardena) and Jared Pickering
(Rancho Bernardo, San Diego).
Farmer, one of the nation's top football recruits and a future USC receiver, clipped McClain at the 100 line in 10.62 seconds. Last year in the state finals McClain outleaned Farmer at the line and each recorded 10.45 times.
Farmer, who didn't even know who McClain was before the state finals, said he had no real extra incentive to beat McClain.
"This feels really good, but it's still awfully early in the season," Farmer said. "I have to keep working. It's about who is fastest at the end."
Said McClain, who won last year's state finals in 10.45 and 20.85: "It was a really good race, but he got me at the line. I'm not going to stress about it but just go back to work. Give (Farmer) all the credit."
In the 200, Pickering, a compact senior who finished eighth in the state 200 last season, pulled away from the pack in the final 60 meters to win in 21.13 over Washington D.C. standout Demetrius Lindo (21.34) and McClain (21.35).
Pickering placed third in the 100 earlier in the day at 10.67. Both his marks were personal bests. He was third in the 200 coming around the turn but seemed to have an extra gear.
"When I crossed the line the first thing that crossed my mind was ‘I just beat these guys. Yes!' It's been a long time coming."
Pickering doesn't see himself as now the state favorite heading down the stretch.
"I'm happy with the win but I wanted to finally break 21 seconds," Pickering said. "To get those goals I have to improve my start in the 100 and continue to push myself in the 200."
