Pitman’s Marable loves the switch to the 400

Pitman’s Isaiah Marable didn’t compete in individual running events last year. He competed in the long jump, triple jump and ran relays.

This year he tried the 400-meter run and fell in love with it.

“I’m super happy,” Marable said. “I’ve gotten four seconds faster this season. That’s really awesome.”

Marable’s season will continue as he finished third in the 400 at Friday’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Finals at Elk Grove High. The top 12 finishers in each event qualified for next week’s Masters meet back at Elk Grove.

Marable crossed the finish line in 49.30 seconds two days after setting a personal record with 48.78, which was the top time at Wednesday’s trials.

“I had the top qualifying time, but I knew some of the guys didn’t go hard,” Marable said. “I just wanted to go out and run as fast as I can. I didn’t care what place I got.”

Marable has come a long way in a short time. He ran a 51.3 the first time he competed in the 400 earlier this year. Now he’s routinely under 49 seconds.

“I’ve had a love-hate relationship with the 400,” Marable said. “But it’s been so fun. It’s been my favorite season I’ve ever had.”

Downey’s Erykah Hall also advanced to Masters in the 100, but the Knights junior sprinter wasn’t happy with her time of 12.49, which was good for fifth place.

“I got out to a quick start, but I wasn’t able to maintain it to the finish,” Hall said. “I don’t know why. Hopefully I can bounce back next week and make it to state.”

Hall felt finals week at school might have played a part.

“My mind was everywhere,” she said. “Hopefully I can have a clear mind and rest up for next week.”

Modesto’s Kendall McNair turned in a solid performance with a third-place finish in the 110-hurdles (14.88). Pitman’s Chase Schroer (15.40) placed eighth in the same event.

Buhach Colony senior Stephon Eastman had a tough time overcoming his nerves but was still able to finish third in the high jump with a mark of 6 feet, 6 inches.

“I was nervous before the competition started,” Eastman said. “I was nervous at every height. My heart would start racing every time it was my turn to jump. Normally, I’m able to breathe in and breathe out to help me relax before a jump, but I was so nervous it wasn’t helping.”

Thunder teammate Barbara Coward also placed third in the discus with a throw of 122-2.

Coward advanced despite fighting through a groin injury.

“I just wanted to make it through and qualify for next week,” Coward said. “I wanted to take it easy today.”

Merced junior Denise Bates finished fourth in the discus, one inch behind Coward at 122-1, and Pitman’s Cerah Moren (112-0) placed seventh.

Bears junior Daniel Ambriz finished second in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:17.66. Ambriz set the pace, running out to the lead for the first two laps. Davis’ Ben Roberts took the lead in the third turn of lap three and finished first with a time of 4:12.59.

“My first lap was 1:02, and I knew these guys wouldn’t want to run that fast,” Ambriz said. “I wanted to be out in front, but (Roberts) got me at the end. I thought he would die, but he didn’t die.”

Other top performances included:

Pitman junior Kiana Clay finished fourth in the 400 (56.71) and 200 (25.45). The Pride also qualified two pole vaulters in Lindsey Phillips, who finished second by clearing 10-8 and Allie Austin, who placed fifth at 10-2. The Prides’ Lauren Cariaso also finished fourth in the long jump (17-10).

The Turlock boys 4x400 relay team of Ryan Weaver, Jesus Robledo, Gali Farias and Bryan Montes finished second with a time of 3:23.98.

Enochs sophomore Claire Seymore placed eighth in the 400 (57.30).

Merced’s Jamar Turner finished sixth in the 300 hurdles (40.10) and teammate Ashanti McFarland placed eighth in the 100 (11.15).

Atwater’s Alex Vargas finished eighth in the 800 (1:59.25).

This story was originally published May 22, 2015 at 10:01 PM with the headline "Pitman’s Marable loves the switch to the 400."