Paly will be represented at the 2009 state track meet after a single athlete qualified at CCS finals.

Junior Philip MacQuitty qualified after placing third in the 3,200-meter race at 9 minutes, 10.93 seconds.

Although this time was a personal record for MacQuitty, he had hoped to win the event.

“It didn’t feel as as good as last week,” MacQuitty said. “It was still a PR [personal record], which is okay. I thought I could win it.”

MacQuitty was not sick, but he also did not feel in top form during the race.

“I just didn’t feel it,” MacQuitty said. “It was just a bad day, I guess.”

MacQuitty hopes for a greater improvement at the state meet next week.

“[I want to run] 9:05 at states,” MacQuitty said. “I don’t really care about my place, just my time.”

The only other runner to compete at CCS finals, senior Skyler Cummins, finished 11th in the 3,200-meter race with a time of 9:37.

Although this was not a personal best for Cummins, he felt satisfied with his race.

“I’ve been sick for the past week or so, so I didn’t run amazing, but it was not bad either,” Cummins said. “I was expecting, or rather, hoping, to run better, so I wasn’t completely happy, but I’m satisfied.”

Cummins found a bright spot in his overall placement.

“I beat my seed,” Cummins said. “I was seeded 12th but I finished 11th, so I’m happy about that.”

Since only the top three runners in the 3,200-meter race advance to the state meet, as well as any athletes who break 9:12, this was Cummins’ last high school race.

“I enjoyed it,” Cummins said. “It was my last race in high school, and it was fun.”

MacQuitty will race again at the California Interscholastic Federation state meet championships, which starts at 5 p.m. on June 5, at Buchanan High School in Clovis.