Saturday, June 13, 2020

Amador Valley junior John Lester with 1:48.26 800m tonight



That is the 3rd fastest junior all-time nationally.
1) 1:47.68 Elijah Greer Lake Oswego, Or 2008
2) 1:47.96 Michael Granville Bell Gardens 1995
3) 1:48.26 John Lester Amador Valley 2020

It's also the 3rd fastest all-time for NCS
1) 1:47.31 Pete Richardson Berkeley 1981
2) 1:47.9 Dale Scott El Cerrito 1972
3) 1:48.26 John Lester Amador Valley 2020

California All-Time List
1:46.45 Michael Granville (Bell Gardens) 1996
1:47.31 Pete Richardson (Berkeley) 1981
1:47.9c Dale Scott (El Cerrito) 1972
1:48.20 Sean Krinik (Valencia) 2010
1:48.2c Richard Joyce (Sierra) 1965
1:48.2   Jeff West (Crenshaw) 1979
1:48.26 John Lester (Amador Valley) 2020

You can also check out the article I wrote on the ca.milesplit.com website at this LINK. Some very cool tidbits shared by his coach Jason Oswalt who also took the video above. The MileSplit video has now been added to this link as well so you can watch another perspective of the race.

16 comments:

Kevin Gray said...

Last year (2019), John Lester ran his first 800 as a Sophmore at the Dan Gabor Invitational in 2:03.84, then improved all the way to make the CIF Finals. As impressive as that was, being able to drop down to 1:48.26 this year with CV19 is unbelievable. I can't wait to see what's next!

Jeremy Mattern said...

Congratulations, John & Jason. Incredible!

Anonymous said...

Just wondering, because this season was cancelled by the CIF, will John's time count on official all time lists?

Albert Caruana said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Albert Caruana said...

Good question. NFHS does not acknowledge any marks performed after the state meet or any marks that are not solely high school events. Track and Field News will definitely acknowledge any marks from the past three days and you will also find it in Jack Shepard's annual lists.

pmccrystle said...

That was awesome!!! Thanks for posting Albert...way to go John and Ozzie!!!

Anonymous said...

@10:21AM

If it doesn't count that's complete BS IMHO. I hope it does as John along with other kids went there to give their best efforts after having a season taken away from them. Also John ran 4:08 in the Classico a few weekends ago. What a "season"!

Anonymous said...

What will count is the attention he will get from college coaches (if not already). He is still a baby when it comes to T&F. Very little experience. I feel we are just seeing the tip of the ice berg. What I have noticed is that outstanding form that does not fall apart
when he hits the so called wall (classico mile). That will be the next step and then watch out.

Albert Caruana said...

Lester ran 1:52.06 at the Dan Gabor Invitational which was the official fastest time in the nation at that point. His 1:49.36 was done in a time trial so that was achieved under the radar. With Saturday's monster effort in an official meet, Lester is now the middle distance athlete to recruit and that attention started immediately after his race.

Anonymous said...

This is a prime example of what you can do when not having to focus on so many duals, invites, league, section, state trials & finals. Way too many meets to run that fast when it matters most. This should not count for NFHS records but most definitely for all-time lists.

Anonymous said...

Is anyone else concerned that while Covid cases are near the highest levels we’ve seen and school districts have shut down summer training, professional sports are still on hiatus that we are encouraging things like this? I’m glad he ran so well and got an opportunity to show his fitness, but is this ok?

Anonymous said...

I'd also argue that this is a prime example of why the races really matter. Is a 14 year old with 12.7/55.88 talent going to have the fire to train with this type of purpose as a junior without the races and competition he experienced in his freshman and sophomore years of high school?

Anonymous said...

Of course it is ok! Covid cases are up but so are recovery rates. Also the death & infectious rates are low (comparable to the flu). We all have to be diligent & careful but staying inside is not the answer. Sounds like correct measures were followed. Also more test will show more cases but % are not changing. I am 66 yrs old with underlying conditions. every time I go out (rare) I wear a mask & social distance. I still face chat with my grand kids. All I am saying is there is a better way to do things than what we are doing.

Anonymous said...

I guess it's up to what you consider as essential travel because Alameda County Health Department guidelines tell a different story. I also don't think this meet was conducted in a "social bubble" of 12 or less.

http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov/shelter-in-place.aspx

Anonymous said...

Ever hear of personal choice! You can follow safe guidelines with more than 12 people around. Sounds like you & I will never agree. All I was saying is hiding in our houses is no answer.

Unknown said...

yes, its fine

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