John Lester Wins Independence Day Showdown With Late Move

* Watch the full Independence Day Showdown race video above

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EUGENE, OREGON -- Amador Valley (CA) High School rising senior John Lester did what he does best on Saturday at the Independence Day Showdown, closing on the field in the final two laps at South Eugene High School as he earned a much-earned personal record in the full mile, running away from a talented contingent in a winning time of 4:06.97. 

That time ranks both No. 23 all-time and No. 4 in California history in the junior class for the mile, but more importantly, it also cut nearly two seconds off his previous best of 4:08.90 from the Quarantine Clasico in May. 

And sure enough, it was another example of Lester's talent. He's had quite the last few weeks across the abbreviated season, posting the third-fastest 800m junior time in history in 1:48.26, a second sub-1:49 effort just two weeks later, and a previous personal record in the mile, doing so while on pacing duties in a historic race. 

Saturday's race, on July 4th no less, marked a chance for Lester, competing alongside close friends, to go forward unabridged with his best finish yet. 

Parkrose (OR) graduate Ahmed Ibrahim, coming off a fast 5K just a few weeks previously, finished impressively on his own, scoring a new best of 4:08.62, while Jesuit (CA) graduate Matt Strangio, rebounding from a shin injury a little over a month prior, was third in 4:11.78; teammate Ajani Salcido also sliced six seconds off his personal best in 4:11.86. 

Rising junior Isaiah Givens, making the trip from Pasadena High School, finished in 4:17.24, which was just a second off his PR from June. 

Lester came through in the first 400m conservatively just behind pacer Justin Crosswhite and Strangio, who powered into his first lap in 58.90 seconds. 

But Lester was clearly on the mark through 809, hitting the halfway point at 1:59.66, while Strangio was next in 2:00.17 and Ibrahim third in 2:00.82.

The third lap saw the field drop off from the pace, though Lester still had an opportunity, hitting the bell lap in a manageable 3:02.23. 

Ibrahim finished with the fastest last lap flourish, scoring a 62.69 final 400 meters, though Lester won the race with a final time and a fourth-lap split of 1:03.24.

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