Andreas Dybdahl has done it again.
For the second straight year, the Santa Barbara High distance-running star won the title in the boys 1600 meters at the CIF State Track & Field Championships at Buchanan High’s Veterans Stadium in Clovis.
“California is a tough State to win in because of all the long rounds every weekend but I was patient and able to show out when it matters,” Dybdahl said. “It feels amazing to end my senior and high school season on such a high!
“I couldn’t have done this without my Coaches Rusty (Snow) and Coach P (Perdices), my parents and the support from all my teammates!”
Dybdahl out-sprinted Ventura’s Anthony Fast Horse down the home stretch to repeat as state champion in a time of 4:08.23. He ran 4:08.64 in last year’s meet.
“Absolutely beautiful,” said coach Perdices. “He sat in the pack until Anthony Fast Horse took the lead with 250 to go. Andreas went with him, took the lead off the turn and left no doubt.
“A year ago nobody really expected him to be there. The pressure tonight was enormous. He handled everything so well and ran a phenomenal race on a huge stage. He’s at his best in the biggest moments and, honestly, a privilege for me to be a part of it “
Dybdahl said staying relaxed was a key to his win.
“It feels so great to come back for a second year and win the State mile again. I trusted my fitness and stayed relaxed in the race and then let it all out on the last lap.”
Fast Horse was timed in 4:09.32 and Ibzan Felix of Beckman finished third in 4:10.33
Dybdahl becomes the first repeat champion in the 1600 since Blake Haney of Stockade in 2013 and 2014.
🚨BREAKING!🚨 For the second year in a row, @SBHSTrack distance ace Andreas Dybdahl nabs the @CIFState boys 1600m title!! First to repeat in the event since @Blake_Haney of Stockdale in 2013 and 2014! pic.twitter.com/U4u1DilJ4F
— Rich Gonzalez (@PrepCalTrack) May 26, 2024
He stayed near the front of the 12-runner field from the start and was in third place at 1200 meters behind Emmanuel Perez of Cathedral and Marcus Salinas of Clovis East.
As the runners rounded the final turn, Dybdahl and Fast Horse surged ahead and Dybdahl found that extra gear and blazed to his history-making finish. He ran his last lap in 55.34.
It’s been an incredible senior year for the UCLA-bound Dybdahl. In the fall, he led the Santa Barbara boys cross country team to the CIF State Championship in Division 2, finishing as the race runner-up.
He’s also excelled in the classroom. He was honored by the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table as Santa Barbara High’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
In the boys 800 meters, Santa Barbara senior Blaise Snow ran a personal best of 1:52.04 and finished in eighth place to earn a spot on the podium.
Senior Cain Evans of Carlsbad edged sophomore Wyland Obando of Long Beach Wilson for the state title. Evans was clocked in 1:50.21 and Obando in 1:50.2. Senior Keeran Murray of South Pasadena finished third in 1:51.08.
Snow ran the first lap in 54.28 seconds and did the final 400 meters in 57.09.
“He executed well and gave himself a chance,” Perdices said. “That race was so close and so fast. I’m incredibly happy for him to walk away as a State medalist.
“He’s put in so much work and grown so much as a competitor and a leader. I’m going to be sad to see him go, but he’s walking on at Colorado and I’m excited to watch him in that next chapter.”
Santa Barbara, which sent its largest contingent to the State Meet, completed the competition with a ninth-place in the boys 4×800 relay. The Dons were clocked in 7:51.45. San Clemente took first place in 7:38.07.
The relay squad was made up of Dybdahl, Snow, Nico Tassos and Bode Andrulaitis.
“We were hoping for more, but you can’t be disappointed with a State podium spot,” Perdices said. “Those guys ran with so much heart all season. Bode has been so clutch so many times for this team in his 4 years. He’s really going to be missed.
“For Nico, that experience of running in a State Final just puts more fuel on the fire for next year.”
Santa Barbara finished 13th in the team standings with 11.50 points. Long Beach Poly won the boys team title with 33 points, while Long Beach Wilson captured the girls crown with 36 points. The Ventura girls finished second with 30 points.