Full speed ahead for Haney after two huge wins

By Doug Binder, Dyestat Editor

With a pair of impressive victories over the past two weeks in California, Stockdale (Calif.) senior Blake Haney has begun to look every bit like a national championship contender -- in which ever championship he chooses.

The races have been close, but Haney has won them. On Sept. 21, he used a late burst of speed to hold off Estevan De La Rosa of Arcadia at the Cross Country Classic as both runners dipped under 14 minutes for three miles.

Four days later, Haney participated in a six-team SWYL Mini-meet in Bakersfield and covered the the 5K course in 15:15 -- an effort he called a "training run."

Three days after that, Haney was on the starting line again on the golf course at Stanford along with De La Rosa, La Costa Canyon's Steven Fahy and Seattle Prep's Joe Hardy. Haney ran 14:58 on that 5K course, finishing slightly ahead of Hardy.

"I'm feeling pretty good," Haney said Wednesday. "I'm glad to come out with the wins and I just want to keep training."

Haney's status as an all-time great in California was cemented during track season when he won two CIF championship titles (1600 and 3200) and then ran a personal best 3:44.69 in July at the World Youth Championshps 1,500 meters. (No. 2 all-time in California behind Ryan Hall).

But Haney didn't rest on those laurels and knew he had something more to prove. A year ago at this time, he was on the outside looking in during cross country season. He was suffering through an IT (iliotibial band) injury in one of his knees.

He didn't make it into Stockdale's lineup until the final month of the season and was woefully out of shape -- by his standards -- when he finished 66th at the California state meet.

Haney may have gotten off to a slow start on his summer build-up because of his trip to Ukraine, but he has shown up ready to race against some of the top guys in the country in the first month of the season.

At the Cross Country Classic -- he was 86th at Woodbridge as a freshman in 2010, ninth in 2011 -- Haney got out quickly with the leaders.

"I spent most of the first mile in second," Haney said. "One guy (Garrett Corcoran of Villa Park) went through (the mile) in 4:31. After that I thought we were slowing down a little bit so after the mile I pushed a bit and there was still a group of five or six."

The night-time meet, staged on a newly revamped course at Estancia High School, began to feel electric as the anticipation built in the large crowd.

"With (about 1,000 meters) to go, Estevan made a big move," Haney said. "I tried to save myself for the track."
Once on the track surface, Haney accelerated and seemed to pull away from De La Rosa. But the Arcadia senior came roaring back at him and finished just a stride or two behind.

To this day, Haney said he is still puzzled over how it ended up so close.

"I like to think that I was still pushing it," Haney said. "I know never to underestimate (De La Rosa). He's such a good competitor. It was good experience."

At Stanford, Haney asserted himself again.

"We had a really good training week," Haney said. "The coaches got me prepared, I was mentally prepared, and was determined to go out there and compete. I didn't hear any splits. I just tried to stay with the leaders and trie dto run fast. It's hard not to race with those guys. And winning's fun, too."

So despite a 15:15 5K effort on Wednesday, Haney put it on the line again and let his competitive instincts take over.

Haney never saw Hardy until the two-mile mark when the Washington state champion drove past and took the lead.

"I was sitting in second place pretty much the whole race," Haney said. "I think (Hardy) wanted to make a big move with one mile to go. He made some tough moves and I thought he had me in a couple of instances."

Hardy tried to surge away but Haney never gave up more than 20 feet.

And then, the end, Haney was able to close as both guys ran 14:58.

"(It was hotter) at Stanford and the course is a bit harder (than Estancia)," Haney said. "I feel like the better of the two performances was at (Cross Country Classic). I felt pretty good at Stanford and I think I had more gears if I needed them."

More importantly, Haney is running healthy.

"The injury hasn't flared up again," he said. "Ever since last season I've been careful with it. I'm doing stretches and doing a good job of keeping myself healthy."

Haney has a well-deserved week off from racing and then has the Clovis Invitational and Mt. SAC Invitational later this month.

But for now, he is the No. 1 high school runner in the United States and he's getting used to how that tag fits.

"I definitely like to think that I'm the top guy," he said. "I use it as motivation and proved it a bit, but there are lots of guys I haven't raced yet. Until the big races start in November (rankings) don't really matter."

There are a few guys out there who could have a say -- Cerake Geberkidane, perhaps? -- but Haney's September was sensational.

His December plans aren't set in stone, but he is probably going to be in San Diego.

"Right now, we're planning on going to Foot Locker," he said.