NCS MEET OF CHAMPIONS

NCS Meet of Champions FINALS
Edwards Stadium
Berkeley CA
Saturday, May 26, 2007

RESULTS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

DISTANCE DREAMING
Kochlacs Kicks for 3200 Championship, Murillo Churns Out 2nd All-Time

It was a day of distance dreams-come-true at Saturday's NCS Meet of Champions finals. Snatching the 3200m title with an exciting home stretch kick, Joey Kochlacs (07) placed the finishing strokes on the Cougar's post-season masterpiece.

Kochlacs ran through the first mile of the eight lap affair in 4:43, efficiently working the lead pack before moving out with St. Mary's Matt Duffy and San Rafael's David Buscho. Calm and controlled, Kochlacs traded the lead several times through the final laps. Confident in his finishing speed, he sat on the heels of Buscho until the final 80 meters. Those determined, long-legged strides held off the feisty Redwood Empire star through the tape, earning Kochlacs a spot in next Saturday's CIF Championships at Sacramento City College!

Moments earlier Catherine Murillo (07) demonstrated her own heroics with a stunning 16 second improvement in the girls' 3200m. After splitting 8:15 for six laps, the bold veteran pressed the pace, shaking off all but El Molino's Brittny Escamilla. The duo battled down to the wire for the final state meet berth. Although Murillo finished a step behind, her time of 11:00.3ce is arguably the greatest female distance performance by a Cougar since Sarah Riley's school record in 1991!

Chris Harland-Dunaway (07) finished his impressive comeback with a 1:56.8ce effort in the 800m final. Considering the senior had missed the first two months of the spring season with a nagging achilles injury, "HD's" 3rd All-Time performance was nothing short of astounding; it was a fitting testament to the veteran's passion and determination that he conclude his high school career with a personal best.

Together these three distance finalists combined for three top-three All-Time Cougar Record Board performances!