CLOVIS — If nothing more and nothing less, Western Nelson proved he could run among the best of the best — both on Saturday and throughout an ultra-successful senior campaign.
Running for the first time in the CIF-State Track and Field Championships, the Indians standout flirted with the frontrunners in Saturday night’s 3,200-meters race, but inevitably finished 16th in 9 minutes 6.68 seconds.
“I put myself in a position to do good, but I didn’t really do that good,” Nelson said.
Nelson worked his way up to as high as third place in the race, but eventually dropped way back.
The race, which featured eight runners finishing in under nine minutes, was won by Foothill’s Chris Schwartz in 8:51.60.
“I ran fast,” Nelson said, “they just ran faster.”
Nelson began the eight-lap race running stride for stride with Pacific League rival Zack Torres through the first two laps.