State final is tiring for Ivie

BURBANK -- Kyle Ivie was disappointed as he walked off the track

after running in the 1,600-meter final at the CIF-State Track and

Field Championship.

However, the Burbank High senior’s displeasure was only momentary.

Although he didn’t run his best race against the finest milers in

the state Saturday at Cerritos College in Norwalk -- finishing in

ninth place in 4 minutes 21.17 seconds -- Ivie chose to look at the

bigger picture and relish in his accomplishments this season.

“I didn’t even think I would make it this far,” said Ivie, who is

also an accomplished cross-country runner. “I am just really happy

with what I have been able to do this season. It’s been a great

season.

“I’ve had a lot of support from a lot of people.”

With his four-year running career at Burbank coming to a close,

Ivie wanted to end his tenure with a breakthrough performance in the

final race. However, a long season of workouts and meets took its

toll on the decorated athlete.

“I just ran out of gas,” said Ivie, whose mark Saturday was 5.44

seconds slower than his qualifying time in Friday’s preliminaries.

“On that last lap, I tried to go, but I didn’t have anything left. At

that point, I was just spent.”

Phillip Reid of Rio Mesa won the race in 4:08.49, out-kicking

Estancia’s Humberto Rojas, who finished second in 4:10.58.

Torrance’s David Loyola was third in 4:11.58.

The pace and development of the race didn’t seem to bother Ivie,

as Reed bolted out to lead the pack as he passed the 400-meter mark

in 1:03.6.

As is his style, Ivie stayed toward the back of the pack, well

within striking distance of the leaders.

On the second lap, Rojas burst into the lead and finished 800

meters in 1:36.1. Ivie moved up on the lap, and was in fine position

in fifth place.

Ivie began to fade a bit as the runners finished 1,200 meters, and

was in ninth position, coming by in 3:12.

However, on the bell lap, Ivie asked his body to respond, and

there was no response.

“On the bell lap I wanted to try and start to make my move like I

usually do,” Ivie said. “But it just wasn’t there.”

Leaving Ivie behind, Reid fought to get the lead back with one lap

to go, as Torrance, Mark Matusak of L.A. Loyola and Troy Swier of Mar

Vista trailed the leader by just five meters.

Reid was able to lengthen his lead, finishing the final 400 in

58.3.

For his fine effort of getting to the state finals, Ivie was among

a group of elite athletes who have been invited to take part in the

invitation-only Golden West Invitational on Sunday at California

State University Sacramento. However, Ivie said he will not attend

the meet.

“I would like to go, but I don’t have anything left,” said Ivie,

who will attend Chico State University in the fall.

Making it to the state track and field final, Ivie completed a

unique double this senior season. In December, he helped lead the

Bulldog cross-country team to the state competition for only the

second time in school history.

“I’ve had a great time at Burbank,” Ivie said. “I’m just happy I

had the opportunity to have a little success while I was here.”