San Diego Player of the Week : Chapel a Step Ahead in Running Rivalry

When Laura Chapel of University City High and Darcy Arreola of Grossmont High get together before a track meet, they exchange in friendly conversation. Topics might include boys, clothes or school dances.

The two high school seniors keep the conversation away from an interest they share--running, and their continuing rivalry.

“We can talk to each other, it’s no problem,” Chapel said. “But we never talk about strategy. We try to talk about other things.”

Saturday, at the Arcadia Invitational track and field meet, Chapel, The Times’ Player of the Week, outdistanced Arreola in the 1,600 meters, recording the nation’s best time of the year in the event (4:40.74). Arreola was second in 4:51.58. Chapel also ran a state-best time of 2:11.91 in the 800 meters, with Arreola finishing third (2:13.39).

Chapel’s victories might not have happened a year ago. When they competed against each other last season, Chapel always was outdistanced by Arreola, although usually the margin was only a few steps.

Saturday marked the second time Chapel finished ahead of Arreola this season. At the Poway Invitational April 5, Chapel edged Arreola in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:29.24. Arreola finished in 4:29.96. It was the first time since they were sophomores that Chapel finished ahead of Arreola.

“(Arreola) had been edging me out, and to beat her was something I had been looking for this year,” Chapel said.

Chapel attributes her success this season to her intensified workouts with University City track Coach Steve Levon, who focuses on sprints in the last 300 meters.

“I wish I could be more responsible for her success,” Levon said. “But it wouldn’t be fair. Laura’s built a lot of confidence into her running this year.

“Laura takes coaching very well. She doesn’t claim to have all the answers, and she’s not the kind of runner who shirks a workout. She works hard at what she does and deserves all the credit.”

Arreola, who was second in the state 800 meters last year, and Chapel, who was third in the state 800 meters, agree that the competition improves their own times.

“I like to be the person in back, running behind someone else,” Chapel said. “When I’m running with Darcy I know she can lead well and I know that if I can stay with her I’ll finish with a good time.”

Said Levon: “They don’t get a chance to see each other very often. Laura uses the meets that she’ll be competing with Darcy as a milestone--a date she knows she will have good competition.”

Said Arreola: “Laura comes into my mind a lot more now. Last year she didn’t beat me at all. Now this year, she’s been beating me.”

Earlier this season, Arreola beat Chapel in the 1,600 meters at the Michelob Invitational. “If anyone’s going to beat me, I’d rather it be (Chapel),” Arreola said. “She is such a friendly person, I don’t mind as much when she beats me.”

Laura Chapel

University City High School

Speciality: Distance runner.

Class: Senior

Last Week: Ran a national best in the 1,600 meters (4:50.74) and a state best in the 800 meters (2:11.91) at the Arcadia Invitational track and field meet last Saturday.