Sobrato senior clocks fastest prep half mile in South Valley
history
CLOVIS — The message was written in black marker on his hand, one word that Sobrato runner Alan Rios hoped would motivate him to finish strong at the CIF State Championships even if his body did not allow it.
Every competitive runner has drawn inspiration from Steve Prefontaine at some time in their career. Type P-R-E into any search engine, and you will understand why.
From his hand, Rios read those three letters as he gritted his teeth through the final turn of his 800-meter preliminary in 90-plus degree weather Friday at Clovis’ Veterans Memorial Stadium. His legs ached. His lungs burned. He had nothing left.
“I was seriously considering giving up,” the UCLA-bound senior said. “I saw that message on my hand, and it gave me new life. Knowing it was likely my last high school race, I just pushed it.”
Rios found more another gear, and, with each of the four opponents he passed in the final 100 meters, he found more reward, more incentive to push himself beyond his presumed breaking point. He crossed sixth in one minute, 53.57 seconds, earning a prize no other prep half-miler from the South Valley has enjoyed.
Alan Gregory Rios now holds the fastest 800 time among the area’s five high schools — Sobrato, Live Oak, Gilroy, Christopher, San Benito — according to dyestatcal.com. Though he did not realize the feat until roughly a day later, Rios felt the magnitude of his performance right away.
“I literally did exactly what I came there to do,” he said Monday. “When I came across that finish line and saw my time on the electric board, I thought, ‘I qualified for finals! Oh crap, I qualified for finals. I was so drained mentally and physically, I was relieved it was over.”
Rios did say he would have “sucked it up” had he made the top-nine cutoff for the championship heat held about 24 hours later. Instead, he took his 13th overall finish to heart and enjoyed the final 800 Saturday as a fan, a very accomplished one. Rios’ time is the 39th best in CCS history.
This year’s half-mile field was one of the fastest in history. The top two fastest times — set by winner Sean Krinik (1:48.20) of Valencia and Greg Dotson (1:49.40) of Burbank — rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation.
Rios’ heat, which included three Central Coast Section runners, advanced four runners, the most of any group. Pioneer senior Nathan Strum won Rios’ heat in 1:51.62 and placed third (1:50.43) in the championship race.
“It would have been an honor to race in the final at state, but I’m totally content with how I did,” said Rios, who has a good chance to walk on next year. “There have been times in my career when I’ve crossed the finish line and thought, ‘That’s it? That’s all I have?’ Not this time.”
Re-inspired, Rios entered the 800 and 400 meters for this Saturday’s Golden West Invitational in Folsom. It is the final high school meet of the year.
“He said he was done after the race Friday, but now he’s back up and ready to train,” Rios father and coach, Fred, said Monday. “He wants to finally break 50 seconds in the quarter mile.”
Rios has set new personal records in his last two meets, including a second-place effort (1:54.37) at the May 28 CCS Finals. He could push himself further once again Saturday if the field is strong enough.
“I’ve learned that I can’t really doubt myself,” Rios said. “My first lap Friday was 54.8 — faster than I’ve ever done. A big part of me thought I couldn’t (finish under 1:54). I have to block that out now. There’s a whole new level of potential in me.”
