Here’s more on the epic matchup between...
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Here’s more on the epic matchup between record-breaking sprinter Marion Jones of Thousand Oaks and distance ace Shelley Taylor of Edison on the third leg of the girls’ 1,600 relay at last week’s Southern Section 3-A track prelims.
It seems the Edison runners were certain Jones would run the anchor leg, which me ant that sophomore Julie Koudelka, who has a best of 57.81 seconds, would face Jones, who had run a national-record 22.67 for 200 meters less than an hour before.
No contest, Taylor thought.
But the joke was on her, not Koudelka.
“Right before we left the clerk of the course, Julie tapped me on the back and said, ‘Shelley, Marion’s sitting on your bench,’ ” Taylor said.
Meaning Taylor, whose 4:51.98 is the fastest 1,600-meter time in the nation this season, would be the one to go head-to-head against Jones.
Jones increased Thousand Oaks’ five-meter lead over Edison to about 60 meters as the Lancers defeated the Chargers, 3:56.24 to 4:03.21.
“It doesn’t feel too good,” Taylor said after trying to stay within shouting distance of Jones.
The rematch will be Saturday at the 3-A finals at Cerritos College. No word yet on which legs Jones and Taylor will run.
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