by Lance Phegley

Klein Oak distance ace Steve Magness blitzed the Texas high school state record in the 1600 meters last night at the District 5A-15 meet.

Running in good conditions, Magness chopped two full seconds off the old standard with his winning mark of 4:01.58. The old record of 4:03.8 was set by Pasadena Dobie's John Robinson in 1980.

Also dipping under the record was the runner-up to Magness, Klein's Eric Stanley in 4:03.77. Finishing third in the race was The Woodland's Brian Sullivan in 4:11.14.

In a cruel twist of fate, Sullivan's mark would have won every other district meet in the greater Houston area, but he will not compete in the regional meet since only the top two finishers in each district advance.