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LAKE BALBOA — Granada Hills’ Dijon Stanley had one thing on his mind heading into Thursday’s City Section track and field finals.
“Time was most important,” he said.
The junior sprinter was candidly implying that winning his marquee 400-meter event was secondary to the time he needed for a much bigger goal, to be 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 47-low or 46-high.”
Stanley crowned himself the boys 400 City champion in a state-best time of 46.94 seconds, which will likely get him a favorable lane draw for the state meet in Clovis on May 27-28. His time tied 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 won City titles in four events Thursday. He was part of the Highlanders’ 4×100 relay team with Jordan Coleman, Jeremy Gamble and Jayden Smith that won in 41.34. Stanley, who is a highly-touted football recruit, also won the 200 in 21.53 and was part of the winning 4×400 relay team (3:25.99).
He wasn’t the only star for Granada Hills.
Sprinter Isabella Vally won the girls 400 in 57.50 and long distance specialist Sofia Abrego won the girls 1,600 in 5:09.55 and the 800 in 2:18.64.
Football star Dijon Stanley wins the boys’ 400 in 46.94, which ties this season’s state best (with West Ranch’s Christopher Goode). The junior from Granada Hills is the City champ and will eye a CIF State crown next weekend. pic.twitter.com/CgJom0EgzA
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) May 20, 2022
El Camino Real’s Isaac Torres won the boys 800 in 1:56.50.
Full results of the City track and field championships can be seen HERE.
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