Wyatt Landrum's running strategy is simple: run consistently fast throughout the 3,200-meter race and then, in the final lap, run even faster.

Before every race I look for who the other top-ranked guys are, Landrum said. I go out hard at first and then settle in with them. When I feel like I have enough energy, I just go for it and try to win.

The Liberty High School junior's ability to kick it up in the end stages of a race helped him win the 3,200-meter event at the West Valley/Chico Invitational on April 18 while setting a new personal record (PR). His time of 9 minutes, 36 seconds was nine seconds faster than his original PR. He also set a new school record for that event.

It came down to Wyatt and another guy in the final race. The guy stayed with him for the first six laps but in the last 800 (meters), Wyatt took him, said Liberty distance coach Mike Mundy. Wyatt finished the race and that guy finished 250 meters behind him.

For Landrum, one of the keys to his success in Chico was having his teammates and friends rooting him on from the sidelines.

Everybody from my team was yelling and cheering for me, telling me it was the last 1,000 meters and that it was time to go, Landrum said. It was pretty cool.

A standout cross country runner in the fall, Landrum participates in track to stay in shape for his main sport. Although he says he prefers the scenic views and longer three-mile cross country course, he admits it's easier competing on the flat oval track.

Mundy says what sets Landrum apart from other high school distance runners is his ability to adapt to the ever-changing race conditions.

He thinks while he's out there on the track, Mundy said. Some runners can't put all the elements together. They can't strategize or keep from getting boxed in. I tell my runners it's really only 30-40 percent physical; the rest is all mental.

Landrum will attempt to earn yet another Bay Valley Athletic League title at the league championships on May 10. His goal is to shave another 16 seconds off his current PR to finish at around 9:20.

Landrum and teammates Johnny Cattolico, Devon Carter, Joseph Drake, Cynthia Aguilera and Kathy Kutsuris helped power Liberty to its first team victories in league action on April 9 against Pittsburg.

The distance runners played a key part in that meet, said Liberty head track coach John Ambrose. They swept just about every single point in the distance events.