combe

Thomsen was involved in another stretch duel in the girls’ 1,600 versus another Corona Santiago runner Braelyn Combe, who did not realize she won until times were posted on the scoreboard.

Combe, a junior who took second in the 1,600 last year, credits her victory to training with Blade, who she called “unbelievable.”

“It’s a blessing to have her on my team, she’s the best pacing partner,” said Combe, who capped off her day by anchoring the Sharks’ 4x800-meter relay, which ran 8:49.01 to establish a new state meet record.

In the distance events, Corona Santiago boasts two title contenders — Braelyn Combe in the 1600 and Rylee Blade in the 3200.

Corona Santiago’s Braelyn Combe followed her second straight Division 1 section title with a winning effort of 4 minutes 44.36 seconds in the girls’ 1,600 meters, improving her time from last week by more than two and a half seconds.