Clovis West High pole vaulter Kyser Anderson couldn't have asked for a better start to his senior season.

Just about a year ago, Anderson's personal best was 14 feet.

But during the Run for the Dream Indoor Track & Field Invitational on Saturday at the Save Mart Center, Anderson posted an event-best mark of 15 feet, 6 inches -- a height that would have earned him third at last year's CIF state meet.

"And I think I came pretty close to getting 16 feet today," Anderson said. "It's a great start. I'm hoping to stay consistent at 15-6 and hit 16 soon. Then 16-6 is probably the ultimate goal. I'm definitely happy with this mark to start the season. Winning state this year might be a possibility."

Anderson was far from the only athlete to perform at a high level in the youth and high school portion of the meet, which featured University, Open, Masters and Elite divisions Friday. The prep division attracted 780 entrants, each advancing through nine qualifying meets around the state for the right to compete Saturday.

Kingsburg's Joey Souza won the long jump after clearing 22-4 3/4 -- a distance that would have gone down as the fifth best in Central Section history by a freshman had it been accomplished on an outdoor track.

Meet director Bob Fraley, Fresno State's retired longtime track and field coach, was quick to remind that performing indoors usually is more difficult compared to outdoors.

Athletes, especially those at the high school level, receive less time to practice indoors and get used to the surface.

And still, two girls individual meet records were set (2:12.30 by Templeton's Savannah Camacho in the 800-meter run; 5-8 by Claire Kieffer-Wright of the South Pasadena track club in the high jump). Another girls record was tied (7.94 by Sasha Wallace of Holy Names-Oakland in the 55 hurdles).

One boys individual record was set (7.37 by Kenneth Walker of the Kennedy track club in the 55 hurdles).

The Beverly Hills girls' 3,200 relay set a mark at 10:06.85, and the San Ramon boys' 3,200 team did as well at 8:18.62.

Much of the excitement and drama occurred during the relays, particularly with runners looking uncomfortable on how to handle the embankments along the curves of the indoor track, which measures 145 meters one time around.

Runners sometimes hand-checked each other to help maintain balance or jockey for position. One boys runner tried to take the second turn of a sprint relay so fast that he tripped and crashed onto the track as the baton flew onto the cement concourse area.

"It's definitely different than what we're used to," said Madera South senior Nathan Esparza, who helped anchor his 3,200 relay team to a third-place finish. "It took everyone awhile to get adjusted. The setup was pretty intense. But it gets the adrenaline going. It was a fun experience. I liked it.

"The teams that didn't come here, I think they're missing out."

• One Elite Division event was carried over to Saturday, and Joshua Norman -- a former Edison High and Fresno City College standout -- ran a 6.17 to win the 55 meters, beating Tennessee All-American Rubin Williams (6.25).