John Lester Wins Independence Day Showdown With Late Move


* Watch the full Independence Day Showdown race video above

- - - 

EUGENE, OREGON -- Amador Valley (CA) High School rising senior John Lester did what he does best on Saturday at the Independence Day Showdown, closing on the field in the final two laps at South Eugene High School as he earned a much-earned personal record in the full mile, running away from a talented contingent in a winning time of 4:06.97. 

That time ranks both No. 23 all-time and No. 4 in California history in the junior class for the mile, but more importantly, it also cut nearly two seconds off his previous best of 4:08.90 from the Quarantine Clasico in May. 

And sure enough, it was another example of Lester's talent. He's had quite the last few weeks across the abbreviated season, posting the third-fastest 800m junior time in history in 1:48.26, a second sub-1:49 effort just two weeks later, and a previous personal record in the mile, doing so while on pacing duties in a historic race. 

Saturday's race, on July 4th no less, marked a chance for Lester, competing alongside close friends, to go forward unabridged with his best finish yet. 

Parkrose (OR) graduate Ahmed Ibrahim, coming off a fast 5K just a few weeks previously, finished impressively on his own, scoring a new best of 4:08.62, while Jesuit (CA) graduate Matt Strangio, rebounding from a shin injury a little over a month prior, was third in 4:11.78; teammate Ajani Salcido also sliced six seconds off his personal best in 4:11.86. 

Rising junior Isaiah Givens, making the trip from Pasadena High School, finished in 4:17.24, which was just a second off his PR from June. 

Lester came through in the first 400m conservatively just behind pacer Justin Crosswhite and Strangio, who powered into his first lap in 58.90 seconds. 

But Lester was clearly on the mark through 809, hitting the halfway point at 1:59.66, while Strangio was next in 2:00.17 and Ibrahim third in 2:00.82.

The third lap saw the field drop off from the pace, though Lester still had an opportunity, hitting the bell lap in a manageable 3:02.23. 

Ibrahim finished with the fastest last lap flourish, scoring a 62.69 final 400 meters, though Lester won the race with a final time and a fourth-lap split of 1:03.24.


Related Links: 



Top Junior Mile Times Historically

ranktimenamedateevent
14:01.32
BERNIE MONTOYA
AZCibola High School
2013

adidas Grand Prix1st
Jun 8, 2012- Jun 9, 2012

24:01.75
BRODEY HASTY
TNBrentwood High School
2018

Music City Distance Carnival1st
Jun 9, 2017- Jun 10, 2017

34:02.02
GRANT FISHER
MIGrand Blanc
2015

Adidas Grand Prix1st
Jun 14, 2014

44:02.36
DREW HUNTER
VALoudoun Valley
2016

Adidas Grand Prix2nd
Jun 13, 2015

54:02.73
JACOB BURCHAM
WVCabell Midland
2013

adidas Grand Prix2nd
Jun 8, 2012- Jun 9, 2012

64:03.23
MATTHEW MATON
ORSummit
2015

Adidas Grand Prix2nd
Jun 14, 2014

74:03.33
ALAN WEBB
VASouth Lakes
2001

Herbster Classic1st
May 20, 2000

84:03.98
LEO DASCHBACH
AZHighland High
2020

Brooks PR Invitational3rd
Jun 15, 2019

94:04.19
COLE SPROUT
COValor Christian High School
2020

Music City Distance Carnival1st
May 31, 2019- Jun 1, 2019

104:04.38
LUKAS VERZBICAS
ILSandburg High School
2011

adidas Grand Prix
Jun 12, 2010

114:04.73
REED BROWN
TXSouthlake Carroll
2017

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field1st
Jul 1, 2016- Jul 10, 2016

124:04.82
CRUZ CULPEPPER
CONiwot High School
2020

Music City Distance Carnival2nd
May 31, 2019- Jun 1, 2019

134:04.86
SAM WORLEY
TXNew Braunfels Canyon
2017

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field2nd
Jul 1, 2016- Jul 10, 2016

144:05.50
NICK FOSTER
miAnn Arbor Pioneer
2019

Brooks PR Invitational2nd
Jun 8, 2018

154:05.96
CASEY CLINGER
UTAmerican Fork
2017

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field3rd
Jul 1, 2016- Jul 10, 2016

164:06.15
RYAN HALL
CABig Bear High (SS)
2001

Foot Locker National Championship1st
Jun 17, 2000

174:06.26
AUSTIN TAMAGNO
CABrea Olinda High (SS)
2016

Distance Meet of Champions1st
Mar 28, 2015

184:06.72
PATRICK PARKER
UTAmerican Fork
2017

adidas Boost Boston Games7th
Jun 17, 2016- Jun 18, 2016

194:06.73
BRANNON KIDDER
OHLancaster
2012

Midwest Distance Gala1st
Jun 11, 2011

204:06.74
JACK SALISBURY
DCLa Salle Academy
2016

Prefontaine Classic3rd
May 29, 2015- May 30, 2015

214:06.79
COOPER TEARE
CASt. Joseph Notre Dame (NC)
2017

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field4th
Jul 1, 2016- Jul 10, 2016

224:06.93
MABelmont High School
2004

adidas Outdoor Championships5th
Jun 13, 2003- Jun 14, 2003

234:06.97John Lester CAAmador Valley2020

Independence Day Shodown
July 4, 2020

244:07.02
BENJAMIN MALONE
NJPascack Valley HS
2013

adidas Grand Prix11th
Jun 8, 2012- Jun 9, 2012

254:07.13
SENECA LASSITER
VALafayette
1995

National Scholastic Track and Field Championship2nd
Jun 20, 1994

264:07.19
CRAIG MILLER
PAManheim Township
2006

Nike Outdoor Nationals2nd
Jun 17, 2005- Jun 18, 2005

274:07.28
ALEX HATZ
NYFayetteville-Manlius (FM)
2010

Nike Outdoor Nationals2nd
Jun 18, 2009- Jun 20, 2009

284:07.29
EDWARD CHESEREK
NJSt. Benedict's Prep
2013

adidas Grand Prix12th
Jun 8, 2012- Jun 9, 2012

294:07.33
NOAH AFFOLDER
PACarthage
2017

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field5th
Jul 1, 2016- Jul 10, 2016

304:07.40
STEVE BOLT
ALGrissom HS
1975

Florida Relays1st
Apr 5, 1974- Apr 6, 1974