Record-breaking run for Perrin in California

ARCADIA, Calif. — Flathead High School junior Zach Perrin ran the fastest 3,200 ever by a Montana prep runner on Saturday at the Arcadia Invitational track and field meet.

Perrin placed eighth with a time of 8:55.24.

The winning time was 8:47.75 by Futsum Zienasellassie from North Central (Indiana).

Troy Fraley, a junior at Glacier High School, finished 32nd in 9:26.78.

The 3,200 had 34 runners competing from 15 states.

“I wanted to break the Montana record, which was 9:07,” Perrin said.

“My next goal was to break 9 minutes.”

Perrin accomplished both.

Former Flathead standout Kevin Clary held the Montana 3,200 record with a time of 9:07.58. That was set in 2000 at this same meet.

The Highlander Track Club, along with the Sportsman Ski Haus, financially backed Perrin and Fraley for this trip.

Both runners qualified for the invitational by posting fast times at the Simplot Games in Idaho.

“I was a little nervous, but not very much,” Perrin said.

“I was confident coming in.”

With such a large field, Perrin said it was “pretty crazy, rough. I started out fast, had a good start. That worked out well for me. I was super happy.”

Fraley was disappointed with his showing, but happy for Perrin.

“A great meet ... I got to see Zach run really fast ... that was awesome,” he said.

“I don’t want to make excuses, but I injured my calf last week. I couldn’t do much (training) for the last week.”

Perrin and Fraley were competing in the invitational for the first time.