Complex sentence: He first began as a high jumper before being put into an 800-meter race, the distance he would succeed in.2008 he was the California State meet champion in the 800 running a time of 1:51.64.
Split into simpler sentences: He first began as a high jumper before being put into an 800-meter race, the distance he would succeed in. In 2008 he was the California State meet champion in the 800, running a time of 1:51.64.