Menlo News May 21, 2022

Landon Pretre headed to state in 3200

Menlo freshman Landon Pretre rounds the turn in the 3200 on his way to a second-place finish.

5.21. 2022 —Menlo track and field athletes competed in the CCS Championship Finals on Saturday, and freshman Landon Pretre came away with a silver medal in the 3200 and a berth in the state meet.
Pretre was in sixth with three laps to go, then methodically started passing runners one by one.
“Just a very gutsy race and he hung in there and stayed connected,” Menlo Coach Jorge Chen said. “He kept on closing in, and once the bell rang (signalling the final lap), he just put it in overdrive and passed three more kids for second.”

Pretre knew he would need to stay in range of the leaders who started fast. The key was not giving up at any point.

“I got a little gapped in the first mile but I stayed relaxed and was able to climb my way back into it,” Pretre said.  “When it came down to the last two laps I wanted to quit and I was telling myself I’d be fine with the season I’ve had, but I saw they were starting to come back to me so I didn’t settle. I couldn’t feel my legs the last 200 but I just kept going, and everything just fell into place.”

Junior William Floyd took sixth in the pole vault with a mark of 12-6. Freshman Angelica Chou was seventh in 200 in 26.09 and eighth in 300 hurdles in 51.66. Junior Justin Pretre was 10th in the 1600 in 4:23.53.
“I’m proud of these students for giving their all against some great competition,” Chen said.

For Pretre, having such strong teamwide support made his debut season even that much more special.
“I’m also incredibly grateful to my brother and teammates, coach Jorge and all the coaches, and everyone who was there yesterday, cheering for keeping me in check and not letting me give up. 

“It’s been a great season with everyone and we’re all really looking for cross country and more great things to come.”

The distance medley relay of the Pretre brothers, Floyd and Aiden Deffner will race at Nke Nationals to close the season.