Juniors Alden Morales and Chloe Elbaz acquitted themselves in strong fashion against some of the top runners in the state to highlight action on Saturday at the Meet of Champions Distance Classic at Arroyo High School in El Monte.

Morales, who entered the 800m Invitational race as the defending race champion from last season, held the race advantage entering the bell lap and heading into the final 100 meters before junior Josiah Bowman of Sage Creek High of Carlsbad surged past him to win in a state-leading time of 1:50.39.

Morales sprinted across the finish line in second place in 1:50.80, the second best time in the state to date this season.

Morales, who set the school record of 1:49.91 last year, now holds the two fastest two-lap time performances in school history.

Senior Bradley Arrey finished in eighth place with a lifetime best of 1:53.96, which moved him into second place in school history.

Junior Jack Burnett clocked a lifetime best of 1:55.33 in his 800m heat, moving him up into fifth place in school history.

After battling in the front of a crowded strategic pack for most of the Girls Mile Invitational race, Elbaz pushed into the lead inside the bell lap before ultimately finishing second in a lifetime best of 4:56.75.

Her mile time performance is currently the second fastest in the state this season, and when converted to 1600m, her clocking of 4:55.03 is currently third in the state this year and the seventh best in school history.