SOURTHERN SECTION DIVISIONAL TRACK AND FIELD FINALS: H.-W. STANDOUT GOES DISTANCE RUNNER WINS TITLE IN THIRD RACE OF DAY.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

NORWALK - Anna Farias-Eisner tiredly churned her legs in the middle of the pack Saturday during the 3,200 meters at the Southern Section Divisional track and field finals.

Two laps remained and, although Farias-Eisner was within striking distance, she had every reason to pack it in, find a seat in the shade and enjoy an otherwise successful day.

Then, somehow, the girl who spent the longest day on the track on one of the hottest days of the year found something extra.

The Harvard-Westlake of Studio City runner spurted past one runner after another at Cerritos College, taking the lead in the final lap and winning the Div. III title. In doing so, Farias-Eisner impressively qualified for Friday's Masters Meet in all three distance events.

``At lap six, I didn't think I'd win,'' Farias-Eisner said. ``But I started picking it up, passed a few girls and thought I might as well go for it.''

It was only the fifth time the senior has run the 3,200 in her high school career. Her best events are the 800 and 1,600. She finished third overall and second in her division in the 800 with a time of 2 minutes, 13.91 seconds, and sixth overall in the 1,600 in 4:58.72.

After the 800, her coach mercifully asked if she wanted to drop the 3,200. But she wouldn't have it.

``I wanted a championship,'' Farias-Eisner said. ``I missed out in the 800 and 1,600, and wasn't going to stop before I got one.''

Her time of 11:00.14 in the 3,200 was ninth-best overall. Now she needs to decide whether to drop an event for Masters. She's considering doing all three again.

Shannon Murakami from Saugus was the area's only top qualifier in two events. Murakami won Div. I titles in the 1,600 (4:50.71) and the 3,200 (10:46.95). Both times were personal bests.

Murakami, who is only a sophomore, is looking like a state contender.

``This has been pretty exciting,'' Murakami said. ``Last year was such a disappointment. I'm happy just to still be going.''

Murakami appeared to be laboring during the second half of the 3,200, holding a slim lead. But, as soon as she hit the final lap, Murakami began to quickly pull away.

``I was tired but I said to myself to keep going,'' Murakami said. ``My body showed fatigue but mentally I kept pushing it.''

Elizabeth Olear finally is returning to her freshman form. The Louisville of Woodland Hills sprinter was the top qualifier in the 100 with a time of 11.65, and she won her heat and finished third overall in the 200 with a 23.77.

Both times were the best for Olear, a junior, since the state finals of her freshman season. Olear suffered through a series of hamstring injuries as a sophomore and struggled to find her stamina most of this year.

Though she entered high school a better 200 runner, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Olympic silver medalist Allyson Felix - who was then a senior at L.A. Baptist of North Hills - Olear appears to have a better shot at the state title in the 100.

``Yeah, it's strange, but I think that's the way it is now,'' Olear said. ``I'm getting great starts, and the 100 has become my better event.''

Finishing races has been an issue for Olear. She lost a step at the end of the 100 on Saturday but came back to finish strong in the 200.

Matthew Kredell, [phone]

matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) Louisville High sprinter Elizabeth Olear, center, was the top qualifier for the Masters meet in the 100 meters and also won her heat and finished third overall in the 200. Below right, Antelope Valley's Andre Crenshaw qualified for the Masters meet in the long jump.

Photos by Evan Yee/Staff Photographer