By Don Ketchum

Athletes always hope for the best when competing, but every now and then a special performance comes along that exceeds even their expectations.

Peoria Liberty senior Ashley Kealamakia had one of those efforts in the recent Chandler Rotary Invitational, posting a time of 2:13.78 in the 800-meter run that was the second-best in the history of the meet.

She was named the meet’s outstanding girls runner.

“I wouldn’t say it came out of nowhere, but it was good in its timing, where and when it happened, such a big event because of all the really good runners who were there,’’ said Liberty coach Mark Rituper. “A lot of the runners ran their personal bests and she was better than all of them. We are very proud of what she did.’’

Kealamakia said her coaches told her she could win the event.

“About two-thirds through the first lap and I was keeping up with them and I thought, “Hey, I can do this.’ I told myself I was going to go out and finish as strong as I could, give it my all.

“In the (Class 4A Division II) state meet last year, I was passed by Tess Berghoff (Phoenix Arcadia) late in the race and I finished second. This time, I was saying, “Please don’t let me get passed.’ It took about five seconds after the finish to realize I had actually won. It was a great feeling.’’

The performance elevated Kealamakia into the level of the top runners in the nation this season, and she will compete in a national meet in Arcadia, Calif., April 7-9. Rituper said the event features athletes from 27 states as well as some international competitors.

Kealamakia hopes to catch the eye of some college coaches and recruiters, who would offer her a chance to compete at the next level.

“She is the best 800 runner I have ever seen in my 40 years of Arizona athletics,’’ said Liberty athletic director Rick Johnson.

Kealamakia showed interest in other sports during her early years at Liberty, “but my hand-eye coordination wasn’t really that good, so I decided to stick with track,’’ she said.

She also ran cross country and finished 11^th in last fall’s new Division III state meet.

The interest in running comes from her parents, who competed in track at Weber State in Ogden, Utah.

“I just thought I would see what it was about, and I really liked it,’’ Kealamakia said.

She likely will run in the 400 at state and the 4x400 and 4x800 relay events.

Academics are extremely important to Kealamakia. She carries a 3.964 grade-point average and is taking advanced placement courses in biology, history and composition-literature. She enjoys writing, but some day, she hopes to get into the medical field, as a radiology or ultrasound technician.

What little free time she has is spent “hanging out with friends or catching up on my sleep.’’

Her ultimate goal is to hit 2:10 before she finishes at Liberty.

Will she be able to do it?

Confidence gained from her performance would indicate that she is very capable of accomplishing that feat.