KALI MAGANA IS ALL SMILES AFTER FINISHING 2ND IN THE 17-18 GIRLS 800m!
It was a great day for Louisiana half milers in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday at the USATF National Junior Olympics. Both River Cities Track Club's Jackson Burney and New Orleans' Metro Stars Kali Magana finished second in their respective age groups to take home silver medals in the 800m.
Burney, who will be a junior at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, had a huge personal record of 1:52.34 in the 15-16 boys' 800m. He finished second to Stefon Dodoo, who won with a 1:50.88.
Burney's time puts him at No. 3 in the nation in the Class of 2025. It also makes him the No. 1 returner in all of Louisiana, surpassing Pineville's Justin Descant.
Magana's time of 2:12.49 was also a big personal record as she finished second to Taylor Brown, who won with a time of 2:10.07 in the 17-18 girls' division.
With her time, Magana reclaims the No.1 returner ranking among Louisiana high school girls in the 800m. After the high school season, she was ranked No. 1 but John Curtis' London Parker ran a 2:15.81 at the AAU Region 11 Qualifier in Hammond, LA last month to move to the No. 1 position. Magana will be a senior at Louise S. McGehee.
After making it to the podium in the 800m, Magana ran a 56.01 in the prelims of the 400m qualifying for Sunday's finals.
Magana will be joined in the 400m finals by fellow Louisiana sprinter-- Future Track Club's Aaryona Kinchen. The Baton Rouge High rising senior ran a 56.66 to qualify for the finals.
Burney will also be running Sunday as a member of River Cities 4x400m relay team.