Beverly Hills Runner Not Looking Back

The best runners will tell you that the key to winning is to not look back.

That’s why Beverly Hills High School sophomore Alex Rohani is no longer thinking about the injury and illness that kept him from a potential state championship at the , where he placed third in the 400 meters with a time of 48.94.

“I want to stay positive. I know I can run faster than that and I can prove that next season,” Rohani said. “So I’m pretty much over it.”

Rohani, 16, was ranked the fourth fastest sophomore in the country and first fastest in California in the 400 meters with a personal best of 47.90. He was a favorite to win at the CIF Finals, but strained his hip flexor two days before the meet and was also fighting flu-like symptoms. Just before his big race, nausea began.

“He got so sick, he threw up about five times right before taking to the track,” BHHS track coach Jeff Fisher said. “I really understood his disappointment, because I thought he had the potential to win state, but he was so weak from being sick that he just couldn’t do it.”

With a third-place finish in his heat, Rohani failed to advance to the Masters Meet, which is the last event before the state meet.

“I did my best, but my body just wouldn’t respond like it usually does because I was so weak,” he said.

Instead of dwelling on his disappointment, Rohani is focused on setting goals for next year when he plans to not only excel in the 400 meters but also in the 800 meters.

“This year I was better at the 400, but next year I’m going to focus more on the 800, because I think I can make it my best event,” Rohani said. “My goal is to improve in both events.”

Rohani holds the BHHS freshman/sophomore record in the 400 meters and has the school’s third-fastest time ever in that event with 47.90. He also owns the school’s freshman/sophomore 200 meters record of 22.10 seconds.

“We’re looking for great things from Alex next year.” Fisher said. “He has a great future ahead of him.”

Rohani plans to participate in some summer track events to improve his speed before he begins training for cross country, which starts in the fall.

“Last year was a good year for me in track, so I feel like I can do well in cross country, too, and be one of our top runners,” he said.

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