Davis Senior standout soars to state pole vault record, Kratz sprints to impressive sweep, Kemp prevails in 3,200 thriller

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The best of Sondre Guttormsen is still yet to come.

Fortunately for those in attendance Saturday at the 51st Arcadia Invitational, they were witness to the best vault by a high school athlete in meet and California history.

Guttormsen, a senior at Davis Senior High, took down one of the state’s oldest records by clearing 18 feet, 2.75 inches (5.55m) on his second attempt at Arcadia High, eclipsing the 1985 mark of 18-2 (5.53m) set by San Marcos graduate Brandon Richards in 1985.

“It’s great to represent Davis Senior High and they’re very good to me. There are good coaches there and they treat me very well,” Guttormsen said. “I’m glad I’m representing them with this record.”

Guttormsen, 18, who improved on his own Norwegian U20 record, joined Lafayette LA senior Armand “Mondo” Duplantis as the only high school vaulters to boast 18-foot clearances indoors and outdoors. They are the top two U20 vaulters in the world this year.

Guttormsen, a UCLA signee, already the No. 3 all-time indoor prep performer, elevated to No. 5 in outdoor history, despite a sluggish start that placed the pressure on him to make 16-7 (5.05m) on his third attempt after he won the high school competition March 30 at the 91st Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays by clearing 17-11 (5.46m).

“Texas Relays was my first meet after my (right ankle) injury, so it was like a coming-back competition,” Guttormsen said. “I had a little more experience and a little more confidence, so I knew I could go big here and it worked out, so I’m happy with that.

“I had to really work hard to make the (first) bar and move up some poles because my start was not good at all. It took me some time to get to that rhythm I wanted to, but after clearing (my second height), I knew I had it in me.”

After passing to 17-7 (5.36m) and making it on his second try to break the 2008 meet record of 17-4 (5.29m) held by Los Gatos CA graduate Nico Weiler, the charismatic Guttormsen electrified the Arcadia crowd with his lifetime-best clearance in the center of the infield.

“It’s not always that pole vaulters get this much attention, so I was happy they were clapping and cheering for me and looking at me,” Guttormsen said. “It’s great and I think I jump higher because of that.”

Dock Mennonite PA senior Austin Kratz also energized the Arcadia spectators during his first trip to California with an exceptional sprint double, his combination of speed and power perhaps only exceeded by the performances two years ago of T.C. Williams VA star and current adidas professional Noah Lyles.

“They ran a great meet, it was a great track and if I have another opportunity, I would love to come back out (to California),” Kratz said. “I’ll be completely honest, I didn’t feel like my (200) start was that strong for me, I felt like my 100 was stronger. My transition phase wasn’t as strong as I wanted and I think I popped up a little too early, but it probably looked so great because I had so many great competitors in front of me that were pushing me to run so hard.”

Kratz swept the 100 and 200 in wind-legal efforts of 10.34 and 20.74 seconds, making him the No. 3 performer in the country this season under all conditions in both events. Bullis School MD senior Eric Allen Jr. clocked 10.43 and 20.94 to take second in both races, with Yucaipa CA standout Asani Hampton securing a pair of third-place finishes at 10.47 and 21.35.

“I was so impressed (with them),” Kratz said. “I wasn’t able to make up the stagger on Eric Allen until I got to 100 meters, so I really wouldn’t have run that time if they weren’t there running with me. They’re such great runners and they really pushed me.”

Marcus Kemp, a senior at St. Mary’s High in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada ran the fastest 3,200 time this season by any prep athlete in North America, prevailing in a thrilling stretch run against Broomfield CO senior Michael Mooney by an 8:50.95 to 8:50.96 margin.

“I was just running as hard as I can and just thinking how nice it would be to win this,” Kemp said. “I didn’t know for sure I was going to win, I was just going as hard as I can and hoping for the best.”

Sixteen athletes ran under 9 minutes after that total reached an incredible 27 last year, including James Mwaura of Lincoln WA (8:51.62), previous national leader Jacob McLeod of Trinity Christian GA (8:52.72) and junior Liam Anderson of Redwood Larkspur CA (8:52.74). Mira Costa CA senior Xavier Court won the seeded 3,200 section in 9:06.92.

After Isaac Green of Monarch won the boys mile last year, another rising Colorado talent, sophomore Cruz Culpepper of Niwot, secured the victory Saturday in 4:13.14 to hold off state counterpart James Lee of Silver Creek in 4:13.94.

Already with a California state championship and New Balance National indoor title on his resume, Heritage senior Jett Charvet added an Arcadia victory in the 800 in 1:52.60, besting a strong field by almost a full second.

In a pair of highly anticipated showdowns on the infield runways, seniors Jalyn Jackson of Eastlake CA and CJ Stevenson of Great Oak CA both captured gold medals in the horizontal jumps.

Jackson leaped a lifetime-best 49-10.25 (15.19m) in the triple jump to prevail against Stevenson at 48-10.50 (14.89m). Stevenson, who has already surpassed 50 feet in the triple jump this season, returned to secure the long jump victory at 24-3 (7.39m), with Jackson finishing fifth at 23-2.25 (7.06m).

It was also a split decision for seniors Cameron Murray of Westlake GA and James Smith of Westwood AZ in the hurdles events. Murray clocked 13.82 to win the 110 hurdles, with Aidan Jackman of Clayton Valley (13.98) becoming the first California athlete to run sub-14 this season.

After finishing fifth in 14.47 in the 110 hurdles, Smith returned to capture the 300 hurdles in 36.83, with Jackman second in 37.47. Murray placed eighth in 38.98.

Chandler AZ had Tamir Waters, Demarcus Griffin, Drake Anderson and Jaheim Brown run 41.44 to win the 4x100 title over Rancho Verde CA in 41.49 in a showdown of reigning state team champions.

Great Oak CA captured its second relay championsip of the event, following a 4x800 victory Friday, with Gavin Korby, Fabian Bodden, Jacob Korgan and Carlos Carvajal winning the distance medley relay in 10:15.49.

Long Beach Wilson CA capped the meet by dominating a deep field in the 4x400 relay, with Randall Jubilee, Steven Camacho, Andrew Richards and Emari Bennett clocking 3:16.81.

A pair of juniors triumphed in the throws, with Daniel Viveros of Bakersfield Liberty CA winning the shot put with a mark of 61-7.75 (18.38m) and Carlos Aviles of Ventura CA capturing the discus with a 194-1 (59.15m) effort.

Zach Larrier, a junior at Monterey Trail CA, won the 400 in 47.12 and Kentridge WA senior Tyler Cronk cleared 6-9 (2.05m) to win the high jump after national leaders Jake Grimsman of Vista del Lago CA and Sean Lee of Trabuco Hills CA, both with 7-3 (2.21m) clearances, decided not to compete.