Sunday, September 29, 2019

Mixed gender 4 x 400 relay at IAAF World Championships

Sara Hall Runs Massive PR in Berlin, Takes 5th Place

You can check out the article at this LINK.

For those of you that may not know Sara Hall, she was one of the best high school runners in California history where she attended Montgomery HS in Santa Rosa. During her high school days, Sara Bei was a four-time state champion in Cross Country (2 in Division III and 2 in Division II). She along with Sarah Baxter and Jordan Hasay are the only 3 females to win 4 state titles. On the track, she won the 1600 and 3200 as a freshman and won the 3200 as a senior. She went on to attend Stanford University and is still throwing down some great times at 36.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

NorCal meets this week

SCVAL #1 live results at Baylands Park (NEW)
Salinas City Championships results at Nativadad Creek Park (NEW)
Delta League XC #1 results at Cherry Island Sports Complex (NEW)

Eye Opener results (NEW)
Scott Bauhs Invitational results at Shadow Cliffs Park (NEW)
Capital Cross Challenge results at Arcade Creek Golf Course (NEW)
Nike Portland XC results (NEW)
Ram Invitational results at Westmoor HS.

If you know of any other meets taking place this week, please feel free to add the link below.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Being aware of thieves out there

My public service announcement...

Earlier this season at the Lowell Invitational, my backpack was stolen from our tent area during the final race. Unfortunately, I had my laptop, iPad and other material in there that I did not appreciate losing. I also know of another coach who had his daughter's backpack stolen from a vehicle in San Francisco. Today, my team was running at Sawyer Camp Trail and during our run, somebody had smashed the front passenger window of one of the school vans and took a backpack that was in the vehicle. It wasn't visible but that did not stop the thief.

All unfortunate cases and hopefully it's a warning for coaches and parents out there to remind our students/children that they should not bring stuff with them to practices or meets that they consider valuable to them. I believe there is a daily average of 65 car break-ins in San Francisco and that is definitely not just limited to the city. When you park anywhere, don't leave anything in sight that invites another smash and grab.


The Harriers

In memory of Coach Jim Hunt, this dates back to the 60s and it's 14 minutes of awesomeness featuring Humboldt State runners.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

RIP former Humboldt coach, Jim Hunt

For those of you that go to the Humboldt Cross Country Camp, you should be quite familiar with Coach Hunt. He was inducted in the Humboldt State Hall of Fame in 1993 and during his time as the coach (1965-2008), he had some of the best Cross Country teams in the country. Sadly, he passed away today. If you are not familiar with Coach Hunt, you can read all about him at this LINK. I would also recommend his latest book (The Rhythm of Running) which you can find at this LINK.

If you knew Coach Hunt and have a story to share, please feel free to do so in the comment section below.

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Early season NorCal Team and Individual rankings

I am working on the first in-season NorCal team and individual rankings. I will post the top 10 teams and individuals so in the meantime, feel free to comment below on teams and/or runners that you think deserve to be mentioned.

De La Salle Nike Invitational Varsity Boys race

Courtesy of Jesuit coach Walt Lange featuring the duel between Matt Strangio of Jesuit and Christopher Middleton-Pearson and the great team battle between Bellarmine and Dublin.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Top 10 NorCal times from Woodbridge (also other 3 mile courses)

Girls
Harper McClain St. Helena (NCS Division V) 16:23.9
Cate Joaquin St. Francis, Sacramento (SJS Division II) 16:25.7
Isabella Fauria St. Francis, Sacramento (SJS Division II) 16:33.3
Tatiana Cornejo St. Francis, Sacramento (SJS Division II) 16:39.7
Riley Chamberlain Del Oro (SJS Division Division III) 16:52.9
Eleanor Wikstrom Skyline (OAK Division I) 17:05.7
Charlotte Tomkinson Menlo (CCS Division IV) 17:25.2
Sophia Karperos Rio Americano (SJS Division II) 17:28.9
Kelli Wilson Monte Vista (NCS Division II) 17:31.9
Haley Silva St. Francis, Sacramento (SJS Division II) 17:38.9

Boys
Daniel Hernandez Vacaville (SJS Division II) 14:31.9
Matt Strangio Jesuit (SJS Division I) 14:43.84 (from DLS Invite)
Christopher Middleton-Pearson Dublin (NCS Division I (from DLS Invite)
Colton Swinth Maria Carrillo (NCS Division III) 14:47.6
Kellen Steplight Vacaville (SJS Division II) 14:47.6
Adin Dibble Sonora (SJS Division IV) 14:51.7
Patrick Curulla De La Salle (NCS Division II) 14:54.7 (from Cool Breeze)
Alexis Ramirez Mt. Shasta (NS Division V) 15:00.9 (from Bill Springhorn)
Mario Giannini Chico (NS Division III) 15:03.23 (from Bill Springhorn)
Rory Smail Maria Carrillo (NCS Division III) 15:04.2

Friday, September 20, 2019

NorCal results for this week

PAL #1 Results at Half Moon Bay HS (CCS)
BCL W/C Scrimmage Meet Results at Golden Gate Park (NCS)
WCAL #1 Results at Baylands Park (CCS) NEW
Sierra Foothill League #1 results at Willow Hills Reservoir (SJS) NEW
Lou Vasquez results at Golden Gate Park (SF) NEW
Farmer Invitational results at Hayward HS (NCS) NEW
Woodbridge Invitational results at Silver Lakes Sports Complex (Statewide) NEW

Weekend Invitationals
Pacific Tiger Invitational results at Elkhorn Country Club
De La Salle Nike Invitational results at Newhall Park
Others?

Please let me know of other meets that have taken place or are taking place this week and I will add the links as I receive the results and/or links.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Athlete of the Week: St. Mary’s High’s Daniel Winter running strong as a sophomore

2019 De La Salle Nike Invitational meet preview

You can check out DLS assistant Tony Roberts' preview for this Saturday's DLS Nike Invitational at this LINK. The varsity boys' race will feature three of the top teams in California who are also on the national radar. It should be a great day for racing.

Let us know if you are competing at the meet and what you are most looking forward to watching this Saturday.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Catching up with St. Helena junior, Harper McClain

You can check out my interview with St. Helena junior, Harper McClain at this LINK. McClain is in the midst of her first Cross Country season as a junior and was victorious this past weekend at the Ed Sias Large School girls' race. Last Track and Field season, McClain finished in 3rd place at the NCS MOC 3200m race and finished in 7th place at the California Track and Field meet with a lifetime best time of 10:29.68.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Friday, September 13, 2019

Tribute to Peter Guerrini

Tribute by Larry Meredith which you can find at this LINK. For those of you that remember using Ezmeets.com to enter your athletes, Peter was the mastermind behind that site.

His daughter in law wrote the following about Peter which I had no idea. Something to the effect of not all heroes wear capes.

On 9/11 Peter Guerrini (a.k.a Peter Pilot, Steve’s dad, Christopher’s grandpa, my father-in-law) flew his United 777 plane from Paris, France, and as he was approaching NYC, a plane flew into the World Trade Center; he diverted his plane to Canada and in doing so, saved many lives. He was a skilled pilot, flying for United for 30 years and for the US Navy. When he learned I qualified for NYC marathon this year, he was looking forward to going with us, paying respect at the 9/11 memorial and showing us around NYC where he lived with his Guerrini grandparents during WWII while his father was away at war. These past 2 weeks he was on life support; he died peacefully yesterday. We are so proud of the life he led, of the sacrifices he made. We miss him so much but we know he is in a better place.❤️

Ed Sias Invitational Preview and Stinson Relays coverage

You can check out Campolindo assistant coach Andy Lindquist's preview at this LINK which includes the live results link as well as Walt Lange's awesome course map. All the meet info for the meet including past results can be found at this LINK.

You can also check out the Marin IJ article about the 63rd (SIXTY THIRD!) Annual Stinson Relays at this LINK.

Lastly, here is an article about tomorrow's Viking Opener which you can find at this LINK.

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Area roundup: UCD to honor Sumpter with inaugural Stump Invitational

Celebrating the life of an all-time Aggie great, the UC Davis cross country team will host its inaugural Stump Invite on Friday afternoon at Wildhorse Golf Club.

Named for Sarah Sumpter, the event will honor the inspirational 2012 All-American and two-sport Big West Conference Athlete of the Year, who died in 2015 after a five-year battle with cancer.

UCD to honor Sumpter with inaugural Stump Invitational

SJS Divisions now posted

https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/9/3/vojjjibtmu4fxf/xc_divisions_1920.pdf

The teams that moved divisions are:
Inderkum, Woodcreek, Rocklin, Lodi, Pitman, West, Laguna Creek, Vista del Lago, Cordova, Mira Loma, Atwater, Antelope, Yuba City, Johansen, Mountain House, Placer, Woodland, Lathrop, San Juan, Western Sierra and Colfax.

The Vista del Lago girls were 2018 California state champs so that is a pretty significant change.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

45th Annual Crystal Springs Invitational info

2nd Annual Jackie Henderson Memorial Preview by Coach Ibarra

Please help spread the word about this website

Each year a new batch of runners and parents join our ranks who may be unfamiliar with this site. I will continue to provide content for the six Northern California sections this coming season and beyond. As always, if there is anything else you would like to see on this site, please let me know. You can use the comment section below or email me at albertjcaruana@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 05, 2019

Wednesday, September 04, 2019

36th Annual Monte Vista Invitational Recap

You can check out the meet recap of yesterday's Monte Vista Invitational at this LINK thanks to meet director Mike Davis. Lots of East Bay talent on display at the annual event that takes place on the first Tuesday in September. The start of the senior boys' race is on the left.

Lowell Invitational Top 10 Marks for current course

Bumping this back up to the top with the Lowell Invitational taking place this Saturday.
Here are the top times that I could find for the Lowell Invitational since 2006 (current course). If you know of other times that break into the following lists, please post below in the comment section below. I am trying to verify the course length for yesterday since the runners did not go around the big tree. This is also a very unofficial list since the course has fluctuated through the years.

GIRLS
1) Quinn Hagerman Merced 16:49.8 2018
2) Gabrielle Peterson Healdsburg 17:00.8 2018
3) Grace Catena Palos Verdes 17:03.0 2017
4) Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy 17:03.5 2016 
5) Colleen McCandless Granada 17:05.4 2017
6) Alize Hartke Oakmont 17:06.3 2017
7) Lauren Peurifoy MLK 17:08.2 2016
8) Alize Hartke Oakmont 17:10.2 2016
9) Joyce Shea Gunn 17:10.9 2017
10) Marissa Ferrante Aptos 17:13 2008

BOYS
1) John Lawson Sir Francis Drake 14:08 2012
2) Garrett Corcoran Villa Park 14:21 2013
3) Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau Bellarmine 14:24.2 2017
4) Kent Slaney Palo Alto 14:29.5 2016
5) John Bennett Granada 14:34.0 2017
6) Robert Miranda Menlo 14:35.3 2017
7) Preston Norris Las Lomas 14:35.5 2018
8) Colin Peattie Bellarmine 14:37.1 2018
9) Owen MacKenzie Los Altos 14:37.1 2018
10) Yohanes Estifanos Milpitas 14:38 2012

Tuesday, September 03, 2019

36th Annual Monte Vista Invitational set for Tuesday, Sept 3rd


A maximum field of 20 teams with over 1300 runners entered will once again kick-off the east bay cross country season at the historic Monte Vista Invitational.  Established in 1983, this meet switched in 2005 to feature grade/gender level races, over a 2-mile course which runs through the high school campus and into hilly Oak Hill Park.  With the usual afternoon heat and the rugged "Eliminator" hill waiting in the second mile, this meet is a great indicator of which individuals and teams have put in the work over the summer and who has an early edge going into the season.
Last year in the Senior Boys race, Preston Norris of Las Lomas and Russell Sullivan of Foothill broke away from the pack early and pushed each other to new course records.  Norris won in an unbelievable 10:29 time, breaking the mark of 10:37 that had been held by Danny Stalters of Northgate since 2012.   Sullivan's 10:36 also bettered the mark.

On the girl's side, San Ramon Valley's senior Kate Tavella was the fastest on the day, with a 12:20 clocking that is good for 5th fastest all time.  The girl's course record is held by Chloe Hansel of Las Lomas in an eye-popping 11:55 mark.

This year's meet features not only teams from the East Bay but entries from San Francisco, Stockton, and the South Bay.  

Races kick off at 4PM at Oak Hill Park in Danville with the Boys Junior race and conclude at 7PM with the Freshman Girls race.  

LIVE Results can be found at Diablo Timing live during the meet: http://diablotiming.com/results/2019-09-03/

Mike Davis and Mile Huntsman
Meet Directors

Monte Vista Invitational Top 10 Fastest Times 
- Current Course Configuration (since 2005)

Boys Name School Year Time 
1 Preston Norris Las Lomas 2018 10:29.6
2 Russell Sullivan Foothill 2018 10:36.0
3 Danny Stalters Northgate 2012 10:37.1
4 Nolan Peterson Washington 2012 10:42.1
5 Jason Intravaia San Ramon Valley 2013 10:42.5
6 Jackson Crose Livermore 2014 10:43.4
7 Mike Roderick Monte Vista 2008 10:44.4
T8 Peter Schlachte Amador Valley 2014 10:45.2
T8 Tom Robey Las Lomas 2015 10:45.2
T10 Alex Summers Granada 2009 10:46.2
T10 Aiden Boyle Amador Valley 2018 10:46.2

Girls Name School Year Time 
1 Chloe Hansel Las Lomas 2014 11:55.8
2 Megan McCandless Granada 2014 12:12.6
3 Jena Pianin Amador Valley 2012 12:14.4
4 Brooke Starn Monte Vista 2014 12:20.1
5 Kate Tavella San Ramon Valley 2018 12:20.2
6 Kelsey Santisteban Castro Valley 2010 12:23.2
7 Meredith Corda Monte Vista 2016 12:27.2
8 Carina Novell Granada 2011 12:28.6
9 Colleen Lillig California 2009 12:31.6
10 Madison Ricks California 2013 12:32.8

Accepted Teams for the 2019 MVI
1. Monte Vista (host)
2. Dougherty Valley
3. Las Lomas
4. Liberty
5. Miramonte
6. Antioch
7. De Anza
8. Castro Valley
9. Foothill
10. San Ramon Valley
11. Heritage
12. Sacred Heart Cathedral
13. Mission San Jose
14. California
15. Northgate
16. Newark Memorial
17. Irvington
18. Quarry Lane
19. St Marys Stockton
20. St Marys College High School (Berkeley)

photos:  Norris and Sullivan/Tavella in 2018
photos:  the Eliminator Hill profile

Catching Up With Great Oak XC

If you want to get a great insight on the best Cross Country program in California (perhaps the United States), check out the following link which includes interviews with head coach Doug Soles as well as many of his top runners.
https://ca.milesplit.com/articles/266448-catching-up-with-great-oak-xc

Monday, September 02, 2019

Northern California Weekend results

High School
Oakmont Invitational: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/157194/results
Matt Strangio Interview | Oakmont Invitational: Oakmont Invitational
Riley Chamberlain Interview | Oakmont Invitational: Oakmont Invitational
Photos from Oakmont Invitational: https://ca.milesplit.com/photos/albums/44928
Great Cow Run: https://registration.finishedresults.com/meets/1880 (Santa Rosa HS participated)
More will be posted as I find them.
Coming up this week: Monte Vista Invitational on Tuesday.

College
USF Invitational: http://www.rtspt.com/events/usf/xc19/

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