Menlo News June 15, 2020

PRs fall as runners return to track for ‘Last Hurrah’

Knights run in Arizona under strict procedures

6.14.2020 – Three months after they were to run in a season opener, Menlo School students and a new graduate raced in the Desert Dream-Last Hurrah High School Invitational under strict guidelines in San Tan Valley in Arizona. 

With protocol and social distancing in place, the meet was approved by the state department of health, as well as USATF, track and field’s national governing body.

The Knights made the most of their opportunity to close their season before it even got started. Athletes quickly adjusted to the 90-degree temperatures and altered meet environment.  

Yale commit and new graduate Kyra Pretre followed up a mile race with an outstanding 800 in 2:13,81 for fifth place,and that time was 14th in the nation this season. It was her best time since she ran in 2:13.65 for 10th at state in 2019.

 Calvin Katz, who will be a senior in the fall finished second in the mile in a personal-record 4:17.77 which ranks 10th in the country this season. He beat his PR by over 12 seconds. The next night, on Saturday, he reached another personal-best, running the 800 in 1:57.59.

Kamran Murray, who also will be a senior, dropped more than 16 seconds off his time in the 3200, finishiing 9:37.46. He ran in 9:53.65 at the CCS semifinals last season. 

Justin Pretre ran the 1600 in 4:32.14 for a Menlo freshman record, and crossed the finish line in 2:05.25 in the 800 to top his indoor PR by 4.5 seconds.