The 2015 Prefontaine Classic hosted girls and boys high school elite mile competitions first time on Friday.
And neither of the inaugural amateur races disappointed.
Ryen Frazier took the girls’ elite mile in a sub-4:40 photo finish against Danielle Jones. Frazier, the defending high school outdoor mile champion, crossed the line in 4 minutes, 39.84 seconds; Jones finished a hair behind in 4:39.88.
Though fitting a trip to Eugene into her busy spring racing schedule was a challenge, Frazier was excited about winning her first race at Hayward Field.
“Being here made it that much more of a heartfelt experience for me,” said Frazier. “Everyone here cares about running, and they all want to see a good race. They understand what it means on that last stretch to fight.”
Carlos Villarreal put on a show for the crowd in the boys’ elite mile, kicking down the final stretch to pass Mike Brannigan and take the race in 4:05.25. Brannigan came in second in 4:05.78.
“Once I saw that people were fading and I was moving some people in, I just went all out for the last 100 meters and I was able to catch him,” Villarreal said.
Villarreal broke the Arizona state record in the 1,600 meters earlier in May in 4:03.98, and he’s set to run cross country and track for the Arizona Wildcats next year. He will likely compete at Hayward Field again during his college tenure.
But his first time competing under the lights at Hayward will be a memory Villarreal will not soon forget.
“Being able to win the Pre Classic was a huge dream of mine,” said Villarreal. “Running at Hayward Field, and just having the chance to run here in front of this awesome crowd, was mind-blowing.”
The top finishers of the elite mile will face off again in the next few weeks. Frazier, Jones, Brannigan, and Villarreal have all accepted invitations to compete in the adidas Dream Mile on June 13.
