Time more important than win for Kapiolani Coleman and other stars at Escondido Invitational



San Diego Union Tribune

Kapiolani Coleman ’23

ESCONDIDO —  Cathedral Catholic’s Kapiolani Coleman admits that she’s getting a little frustrated with the 2023 season.

At the final major non-championship meet, the Escondido Invitational at Escondido High on Friday night, she impressively won both of the hurdle events by a large margin.

But winning isn’t the goal — not for her or many of the competitors in the meet — who were chasing personal records (PRs).

Her winning times of 14.66 and 43.37 were solid as she was joined by the likes of Madison sprinter Amira Shaheed, Point Loma half-miler Manuel Correia and San Marcos hurdler Balamar Izsold.

“I’m not thinking of place, I’m thinking of time,” said Coleman, the state 300-meter hurdle champion a year ago whose best this year is 42.58, which isn’t even the leader. That spot is taken by Torrey Pines’ Karina Janik, who did not compete in the hurdles, at 42.19.

The 14.66, well off her best of 14.04 a year ago.

“I think I need to work on my speed between the hurdles,” said Coleman. “I’ve been focusing on attacking the hurdles.”