UIL 5A Race Videos - Interviews - Photos - 5A State Articles
- - -
Going into the race, it was a possibility this could get fast - - very fast.
Chris Riley (Austin McCallum) is the state leader with his 4:05 that he ran at Texas Relays last month, right here on this very track.
David Mora (Lubbock Monterey) and Ayden Granados (McAllen Memorial) have shown the ability to hold hard and fast paces, so they were both possibly able to challenge Riley or at least ensure the pace would be honest.
Riley ran to the front early and took command on the first lap with a split time of 1:04.35. Riley continued to increase his pace during the second lap with a halfway split of 2:08.51. He was followed closely behind by Mora, Granados, and Isaac McGill as the chase group was a trio until Mora was unfortunately clipped from behind.
Riley and Granados would go toe to toe heading into the final lap.
In the final 200 meters, Riley kicked things into another gear and separated himself to walk away victorious. He crossed with a time of 4:08.56 covering the final lap in a blazing time of 57.85 seconds.
Granados ran the final lap in 1:00.89 seconds to finish second with a time of 4:11.75. It was his second silver medal run of the day.
Senior McGill pushed through with a time of 4:15.21 to close out his career with a bronze medal.
Chris Riley wins the UIL 5A 1,600m title
Photo Credit: Chance Kirby - MileSplit TX
