CHICO — Lower Lake High School s Mike Perez was .04 seconds off the winning pace in the 800-meter run on Friday night at the West Valley Invitational in Chico,
Marlon Patterson of Franklin High School in Stockton won the event in 1 minute, 52.09 seconds, barely edging out Perez, who crossed the finish line in 1:52.13.
Patterson s and Perez s times are the fourth and fifth fastest in the nation this season, according to Lower Lake High School coach Bob Galloway. Perez s 800 mark is also the all-time fourth best in the Redwood Empire.
Perez returns to action today when he travels to another invitational meet at James Logan High School in Union City. He ll compete in both the 800 and 1,600.
A week from today, Perez heads to Sacramento for the Sacramento Meet of Champions.
