Servite’s Max Thomas wins 100 and 200 at Arcadia Invitational with speed and determination

ARCADIA – Max Thomas felt great before he ran the 100 meters at the Arcadia Invitational Saturday night at Arcadia High School. He did not feel so well when he ran the 200 an hour later.

Different feelings, same results.

Thomas won both races in the prestigious track and field meet that attracted many of the top athletes in the state and from several other states.

Max Thomas of Service wins the 100 Meter Dash Invitational with a time of 10.40 as Rashon Luke of St. John Bosco finished second with a time of 10.45 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Jai Dawson of Dana Hills finished second with a time of 1:51.56 in the 800 meter Run Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Max Thomas of Servite wins the 100 Meter Dash Invitational with a time of 10.40 as Rashon Luke of St. John Bosco finished second with a time of 10.45 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Runners collapse on the track after Colin Sahlman of Newbury Park wins the 3200 Run Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Joy Moorer of North Canyon, center, wins the Women’s 300 meter Hurdles Invitational with a time of 41.99 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Taylor Cox of Union Catholic competes in the 100 Meter Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Daniella Ruelas of Arroyo Grande trips on a hurdle in the 100 Meter Hurdles seeded race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Isaac Lewis of Long Beach Wilson reacts after competing in the Men’s 300 Meter Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Athletes cheer on their teammates during a 4000 distance medley relay race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Jadyn Marshall of St. Mary’s finished second with a time of 13.87 in the 110 Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Rodrick Pleasant of Serra finished third with a time of 41.05 4×100 Meter Relay Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Kerry Smith of Covina wins the 400 Meter Dash with time of 4746 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Colin Sahlman of Newbury Park wins the 3200 Run Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A pole vaulter silhouetted during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Ryan Tran of Weber competes in the 110 Meter Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Yan Vazquez of Red Mountain reacts after winning the Men’s 300 Meter Hurdles Invitational with a time of 36.40 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Joy Moorer of North Canyon reacts after winning the Women’s 300 meter Hurdles Invitational with a time of 41.99 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Tyler Hampton of Edison competes n the high jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Julius Cheek of Roosevelt, left, Logan Lyght
Mater Dei, center, and Finn Andrews of Maranatha, right, compete in the Men’s 300 meter Hurdles Seeded during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Dario Rock of St Francis finished second in the 110 Meter Hurdles Seeded with a time of 14.48 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Seth Johnson, left, of Cajon along with Kai Graves-Blanks of Upland competes in the 110 Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Fans try and stay cool on a hot day during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Malik Mixon of Westlake, left, Isaac Lewis of Long Beach Wilson, center, and Kathir Balakrishnan of Fremont, right, compete in the Men’s 300 Meter Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Landon Helms of Emmett wins the 110 Meter Hurdles Seeded with a time of 14.01 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Seth Johnson of Cajon competes in the high jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Anthony Trucks of De La Salle competes in the 110 Hurdles Seeded race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

DeQuan January of Upland competes in the 110 Hurdles Invitational race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A pole vaulter silhouetted during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Katelyn Matarese of La Canada competes in the Women’s 4000 Distance Medley Invitational Relay during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

A pole vaulter waits her turn during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Autumn Wilson of St Dominic Savio wins the 100 Meter dash Invitational with a time of 11.49 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Maya Shinnick of Glendora wins the 400 Meter Dash Seeded with a time of 55.23 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Imari Conley, right of Central (Fresno) wins with time of 40.92 as Jaceon Doss, left, of St. John Bosco finished second with a time of 41.02 as Rodrick Pleasant of Serra finished third with a time of 41.05 4×100 Meter Relay Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Logan Lyght of Mater Dei competes in the 110 Hurdles Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Dylan Curtis of Redondo Union competes in the pole vault Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A pole vaulter silhouetted during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Jordan Washington of Serra competes in the 100 Meter Dash Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Hunter O’Brian of Roosevelt leaps at 16’ 3’’ in the Pole Vault Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Jaylin Franklin of Serra prepares to run the 4×100 Meter Relay Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A pole vaulter silhouetted during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Rich Gonzalez looks on during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

One of the many medals during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Rich Gonzalez looks on during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Jaceon Doss, left, of St. John Bosco finished second with a time of 41.02 as Rodrick Pleasant of Serra finished third with a time of 41.05 4×100 Meter Relay Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Camryn O’Bannon of St. John Bosco competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

A athlete waits his turn in the high jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

JC Stevenson of Great Oak competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Griffen Schwab of San Clemente competes in the high jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Athletes compete in the 800 meter race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Brandon Gorski of Mater Dei competes in the high jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Joey Nations of Semi Valley competes in the high jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Darrian Robinson of Etiwanda competes in the triple jump Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Athletes watch through a fence as runners compete during a 4000 distance medley relay race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Athletes cheer on their fellow teammates during a 4000 distance medley relay race during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Avaunt Ortiz of McClintock in Tempe rolls across the finish line after winning the Men’s 400 meter Dash Invitational with a time of 47.22 during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Sidi Njie of Westlake, left, Christopher Coats of Upland, center, and William Mullins of Cathedral, right, compete in the Mens 400 meter Dash Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Naomi Johnson of Roosevelt, center, competes in the Women’s 400 Dash Invitational during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Libby Cline Birmingham, Contributing Photographer)

Athletes compete in relays during the Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High School in Arcadia on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

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To give an idea of the high level of competition at the Arcadia Invitational: JSerra’s 4×400 girls relay team ran the race in 3 minutes, 56.86 seconds in Saturday’s invitational race. It was the best time in Orange County this season and the best time in school history … but it was only good enough for seventh place Saturday night.

The USC-bound Thomas won the 100 in 10.40 to tie his season-best time and county-leading, wind-legal time established two weeks ago. St. John Bosco’s Rashon Luke, who has signed to play football at Arizona, was second at 10.45.

“For the 100 I felt super-super nervous,” Thomas said. “Then I came out and did my thing.”

Yes, as he lets everyone know, Max Thomas of Servite wins the 100 in 10.40 @ArcadiaInvite pic.twitter.com/MerVKBG7Fs

— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) April 10, 2022

Thomas won the 200 in 20.97; his season best is 20.78. Long Beach Poly’s Jaelen Knox was second at 21.15.

“For the 200 I didn’t feel too good,” Thomas said. “My body was super tight from the 100. My core was feeling really weird. So I just wanted to go out and there and win, and I did that so I can’t complain.”

Servite senior won the 200 at the ⁦@ArcadiaInvite⁩ after winning the 100 earlier. His 200 time was 20.97 – although here he says he didn’t feel all that great for the 200 … pic.twitter.com/VIl2YXUclx

— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) April 10, 2022

JSerra won the girls distance medley relay (4,000 meters) for the second year in a row with the same four runners as last year. Ashlee Gallegos ran the first 1,200 meters, Hanna Barmettler followed with 400 meters, Georgia Jeanneret covered 800 meters as the relay’s third runner and Anastasia Snodgrass finished the relay with a 1,600.

The winning time was 11 minutes, 49.24. JSerra won it at Arcadia last year in 11:54.43.

The distance medley relay is not part of any JSerra track and field workout. And the way the Lions figure out who runs each segment is hardly scientific.

“We pulled names out of a hat,” Snodgrass said. “Our range is really good so we can do just anything. We knew no matter what order we would go in that it was going to work out for us.”

The meet was broken up into levels of competitions, with Invitational events featuring the top athletes.

JSerra’s “B” distance medley relay team of Brooke O’Brien, Delaney Belanger, Sydney Paulson and Brynn Garcia won the Open distance medley relay in 12:06.89.

Dana Hills senior Jai Dawson lost in the Invitational 800 by the closest of margins. Dawson led from the start, the pack caught up and Dawson lunged for the line at the end and took a tumble. Carter Cutting, a junior from Draper, Utah, won in 1:51.55 with Dawson at 1:51.56.

Dana Hills senior Jai Dawson, far right, lost the 800 by .01 seconds. Great effort, as usual, from Dawson. Winning time by Carter Cutting of Utah – 1:51.55. Dawson 1:51.56 n pic.twitter.com/7vSXgVWIEJ

— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) April 10, 2022

Dawson, who prefers to sit back and let someone else push the pace before making his move, is a win-hungry competitor. But losing by .01 did not bother him as much as the way the race went, that nobody else took the responsibility of accelerating the early pace so that the resulting times would be befitting of such a premier meet.

“Someone should have taken that,” he said. “It’s a race. It’s not a time trial here.

“The sad thing is no one broke 1:50. Kind of sad. It’s Arcadia.”

Corona del Mar senior Jason Plumb was fourth in the Invitational long jump with a mark of 23 feet, 5.25 inches. That’s the best mark in Orange County this season.

Mater Dei freshman Brandon Gorski finished fifth in the Invitational high jump with a clearance of 6-5 and was ninth in the Invitational long jump at 22-2.

Brandon See of JSerra was second in the discus at 197 feet, 11 inches. That was just 5 inches shy of the winning mark of 198-4 by Cade Moran of Murrieta Mesa. Moran and See hit those marks on their sixth and final attempts in the event.

Canyon senior Travis Zavala’s season-best throw in the shot put (52-11.5) was good enough for third place in the Open competition.

Orange Lutheran senior Rebel Tuinuknafe, Orange County’s leader in the girls shot put and discus, faulted her first two discus throws and was disqualified from the event. Tuinuknafe, who Lutheran coach Kevin Gillian said has been dealing with a sore knee, finished 12th in the shot put (37-4). Her best mark this season is 43-9.5.

In Friday’s relay races, JSerra’s Gallegos, Jeanneret, Snodgrass, Paulson and O’Brien won the girls 3,200 Invitational relay (9:06.45), more than 13 seconds faster than second-place Union Catholic.

Also Friday, Northwood was victorious in the girls Seeded 1,600 sprint medley relay and Huntington Beach won the girls Seeded 6,400 relay.

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Photos: Local athletes compete Friday in the Arcadia Invitational

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CIF-SS track and field midseason rankings, April 4

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Orange County boys athlete of the week: Max Thomas, Servite

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Orange County girls athlete of the week: Caroline Hawkes, San Clemente

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Servite’s Max Thomas breezes to victory in 100, 200 at O.C. Championships

Servite senior Jared Steins established Orange County’s best time of the season in the 3,200 with a time of 9:08.99 that was good enough for sixth place in the Rated 3,200. Stein’s previous season best was 9:23.55.

Crean Lutheran senior Jack Fairchild was third in the Open 110 hurdles in 14.70, just .02 off his season best. Fairchild, an outstanding football receiver and key reserve on the Saints basketball team, was seventh in the Open 300 hurdles at 39.76. He finished 12th in the Open triple jump.