Ceres High varsity girls track and field standout Azar Harrison made program history at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships on Friday at Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton.

Harrison placed first in the 800 with a school-record time of 2:21.19.

The previous record of 2:22.90 was set by Diljeet Dosanjh Taylor in 1994.

“It’s a record that’s been around for 25 years,” head coach Brett Johnson said. “Azar beat it by 1.3 seconds. I didn’t anticipate it happening. She’s a freak of nature. She didn’t run the 800 for the first time until a couple weeks into the season. To see how far she’s progressed, it’s a testament to her work ethic.”

Harrison wasn’t challenged in the finals.

Runner-up Madeline Dufour of El Dorado posted a time of 2:24.49.

 “She won by 3.3 seconds,” Johnson said. “She wasn’t even pushed.”

Harrison has improved her 800 time by 14 seconds during the course of the season.

“This is her first year running the 800,” Johnson said. “Coach (Katie Thiele) talked her into doing it. She’s got the speed and endurance for the event. She practices hard and wants to get better.”

Harrison will represent the Bulldogs at the Masters meet this week.

 “I’m excited to see what she does,” Johnson said.

Ceres High’s Mercedez Wood, Shania Evans, Destiny Suarez, Alyssa Stiles, Kaylee Hunt, Catryna Marquez, Jackie Rodriguez, Bianca De Los Reyes, Makayla Anderson, Bella Curry and Allison had their seasons and/or careers cut short at Divisionals.

Wood placed fourth in the discus (104-10) and 10th in the shot put (30-41/2).

Suarez, a senior, placed sixth in the 800 (2:39.25)

Evans, a senior, placed fifth in the triple jump (33-10).

Alyssa Stiles, a senior, placed sixth in the triple jump (33-51/2) and eighth in the long jump (15-51/4).

Hunt placed eighth in the discus (95-4). 

Marquez placed ninth in the 400 (1:03.85).

Rodriguez placed 13th in the 3,200 (13:33.98).

De Los Reyes placed 13th in the 300 hurdles (53.09).

Anderson, a senior, placed 14th in the shot put (28-0).

Ceres High’s 4x100 relay team of Evans, Curry, Marquez and Allison Stiles placed fifth (53.03).

Ceres High’s 4x400 relay team of Suarez, Curry, De Los Reyes and Harrison placed seventh (4:28.01).

The Bulldogs totaled 19 points while finishing ninth in the team standings.