Saturday, May 31, 2014

Oakland Section results

Sac-Joaquin Section Results

Central Coast Section Results

http://www.cifccs.org/playoffs/results/13-14/Track%20finals%20result%202014.pdf

Some impressive individuals in CCS including freshman Reonna Collier winning 4 events (3 individual/1 team), Anna Maxwell (2 individual victories 1600/800), Maddy Price (2 individual victories 400/200), Marisa Kwiatkowski 2 individual victories LJ/TJ), Greta Wagner (2 victories 400 relay/PV, 2nd place finish 100 and 3rd place finish 200), Sarah Robinson (rarely tried distance triple 1600-2nd, 800-5th, 3200-1st) and much more...Also of note is the team battle between Gunn and Los Gatos with Gunn claiming the team title 73 to 70.  2 great teams with a lot of talent on both sides.

The boys marks were not as impressive (compared to the girls) but as always many competitive races with some very close finishes for those elusive state meet spots.  Story of the meet was the team victory by Santa Cruz HS.  Amazing for a public school to field that kind of talent at one time and come through with the victory under enormous pressure throughout the meet.  Performance of the meet on the boys side has to be Jeremy Wright of Terra Nova lowering his lifetime best time in the 400 to 47.01.  Kyle Orloff of Serra chased him all the way and was rewarded with a lifetime best time of his own with his 47.52.


Piedmont Hills' Reonna Collier earns four gold medals as freshman

Thursday, May 29, 2014

CCS Track and Field Prediction Contest

Predictions due to my email before 4PM on Friday.

Send in your predictions to albertjcaruana@gmail.com. Please include the top 3 finishers for all events (running and field/boys and girls) as well as your predictions for the team champions along with their scores. If there is a tie, the team champions and scores will break those ties.

Your entries should look like this
Name: John Aki Bua Uganda HS Athlete (or coach/parent etc.)

Listed in order of finish (1st through 3rd)
Girls' 400m. Relay-James Logan, Long Beach Poly, St. Francis
Boys' 400m. Relay-
Girls' 1600m.-Jordan Hasay, Mary Decker, Yunxia Qu
Boys' 1600m.-
Girls' 100m. Hurdles-
Boys' 110m. Hurdles-
etc.
Don't forget the field events.

The winner will be announced on Monday, June 2nd and the winning price is the book below.

Any questions, let me know.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Memorial for Coach Jim Tracy



Dear Friends,
The family of Coach Jim Tracy has asked that we send out a reminder regarding his upcoming memorial service, to be held on Sunday, June 1, at the UHS Theater on 3150 Washington Street. The service will be held at 4:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome, but if you plan on attending, please send a quick RSVP to UHS Athletic Director Jim Ketcham at jim.ketcham@sfuhs.org, including the number of attendees in your party.

The service on June 1 will include an "I’ll remember Jim..." segment, and we invite current and past runners/athletes and others close to Jim to participate by sharing a brief (30 second) thought completing that sentence. If you would like to share a memory of Jim during that time, please let Jim Ketcham know when you RSVP and he will confirm your participation.

If you cannot attend the memorial service, but would like to share thoughts and memories with Coach Tracy's family, you are welcome to email them to Jim Ketcham, who will make sure it is included in the guest book that will be given to the family after the service.
If you have any questions about the memorial for Jim, please do not hesitate to contact Jim Ketcham at the email listed above. 

Blake Haney sub-4 cut-down

Monday, May 26, 2014

Top NorCal marks from this past weekend

Boys 400m. Relay-Woodcreek HS SJS 40.93
Boys 1600m.-Tyler Olson Livermore HS NCS (12) 4:07.99
Boys 110m. Hurdles-Marquis Morris De La Salle HS NCS (12) 14.29
Boys 400m.-Cameron Stone Sheldon SJS (11) 46.99
Boys 100m.-Nate Jones Tracy HS SJS (11) 10.74
Boys 800m.-Arturo Sotomayer Roseville HS SJS (11) 1:52.08
Boys 300m. Hurdles-Austin Carter Folsom HS SJS (12) 37.14
Boys 200m.-Kyle Orloff Serra HS CCS (12) 21.64
Boys 3200m.-Fred Huxham Redwood HS NCS (12) 9:11.46
Boys 1600m. Relay-Sheldon HS SJS 3:15.68
Boys Long Jump-Nate Moore Castro Valley HS NCS (12) 24'8"
Boys Triple Jump-Karsten Wethington James Logan HS NCS (12) 49'4.5"
Boys High Jump-David Chukwu American HS NCS (12) 6'7"/Kyle Clancy Davis HS SJS (12) 6'7"
Boys Shot Put-Afolabi Olabode Central Valley HS SJS (12) 58'3.25"
Boys Discus-Darrin Paulo Grant HS SJS (11) 170'7"
Boys Pole Vault-August Kiles Tamalpais HS NCS (12) 15'10"

Girls 400m. Relay-Los Gatos HS CCS 47.36
Girls 1600m.-Anna Maxwell San Lorenzo Valley HS CCS (12) 4:53.41
Girls 110m. Hurdles-Reonna Collier Piedmont Hills HS CCS (9) 13.77
Girls 400m.-Maddy Price Menlo School CCS (12) 55.34
Girls 100m.-Reonna Collier Piedmont Hills HS CCS (9) 11.82
Girls 800m.-Sarah Robinson Gunn HS CCS (12) 2:09.72
Girls 300m. Hurdles-Reonna Collier Piedmont Hills HS CCS (9) 42.67
Girls 200m.-Maddy Price Menlo School CCS (12) 23.98
Girls 3200m.-Fiona O'Keeffe Davis HS SJS (10) 10:39.11
Girls 1600m. Relay-Vacaville HS SJS 3:46.92
Girls Long Jump-Marisa Kwiatkowski Wilcox HS CCS (12) 19'1.5"
Girls Triple Jump-Marisa Kwiatkowski Wilcox HS CCS (12) 39'3.25"
Girls High Jump-Kirsten Mork Granada HS NCS (12) 5'8"
Girls Shot Put-Megan Dulaney Rodriguez HS SJS (11) 45'10.5"
Girls Discus-Ronna Stone Valley Christian SJ HS CCS (11) 136'8"
Girls Pole Vault-Melissa Maneatis Del Oro HS SJS (11) 12'0"

If you are interested in the overall top marks in California, go to this link.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Olson vs Hurlock in NCS Tri-Valley 1600m. epic race



To view the rest of the Tri-Valley races, go here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/trackcoachozzie

Final lap for boys 3200m. at Bayshore and boys 1600m. (NCS)

and boys' 1600m. (great last 100m. for Carter Mackey

CCS Semifinals Videos courtesy of Tom Waschura

The big boy 3200m. (2nd Heat)


Sarah Robinson's 2:09.72


You can check out the rest of the videos that were posted at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/user/tewasch/videos

NorCal Track and Field Results

Central Coast Section
http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2014/ccstres.htm

North Coast Section
Class A Results
Tri-Valley Results
Redwood Empire Results
Bayshore Results (full results now posted)

San Francisco Section
http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2014/sfs_tr.htm

What was the most impressive mark yesterday from any of the meets listed above?  Most impressive athlete?  Who is on track to potentially win state?  What is the most anticipated race or field event next weekend?

NorCal Section Newspaper Coverage...

Central Coast Section
Piedmont Hills' Reonna Collier among many to stand out
NMC's Tori Teraji takes second in discus, seven local female athletes make Finals
Behind Alex Morris and Ashtyn Davis, Santa Cruz has chance at team title
Raymond Silver leaps into CCS Finals; Dominic Rodriguez makes discus, shot put
Few surprises, but great efforts for locals in CCS track semis NEW

North Coast Section
Livermore's Olson wins thrilling 1,600 at NCS Tri-Valley Area meet (includes 3 post race interviews)
Chloe Jenkins leads St. Mary's to girls team title at NCS Bay Shore Area Track and Field Championships
Lacy leads Emery High at NCS Class A track and field meet
Records by Novato's relay, Tam's Kiles headline Redwood Empire meet

http://ca.milesplit.com/photos/albums/21216 (Photo album from Tri-Valley Meet)

More articles will be added as I find them.  If you have links, send them my way to albertjcaruana@gmail.com.

Blake Haney's 800m. race at CS Meet

Great homestretch battle for Haney who tripled yesterday.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

NorCal Section Action Live Results Links

Can't attend of of the meets below?  No problem.  Here are the links to live results.

North Coast Section
MCAL-http://diabloroadrunners.com/AARON/NCS/
Tri-Valley-http://amadortrack.com/index.php?p=8&t=3#page_pos

Central Coast Section
http://www.soqueltrack.com/results/

NorCal Section Results

Sac-Joaquin Section
Division I-http://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2014/sjsd1/
Division II/III-http://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=www.bvtrack.com/Live/SJSDII-III/

Some impressive marks from yesterday's Division I meet including the following:
Boys 400m. relay:  Woodcreek 40.93
Boys 1600m.:  Garrett Mizliozzi Nevada Union 4:10.35
Boys 400m.:  Cameron Stone Sheldon 46.99
Boys 800m.:  Arturo Sotomayor Roseville 1:52.08
Boys 300m. Hurdles:  Austin Carter Folsom 37.14
Girls 300m. Hurdles:  Patrriana Perry Vacaville 42.69
Girls 3200m.:  Fiona O'Keeffe Davis 10:39.11
Girls 1600m. Relay:  Vacaville 3:46.92
Boys 1600m. Relay:  Sheldon 3:15.68
Boys Pole Vault:  Ryan Pust Golden Valley 16'5"
Girls Long Jump:  Jorden O'Neal Franklin 19'0"
Boys Discus:  Darrin Paulo Grant 170'7"

Northern Section 
Division I-http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=196564
Division II-http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=203009#660
Division III-http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=203308
Division IV-http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=204351




Thursday, May 22, 2014

Gunn, Menlo girls hoping to repeat some track history

Note on change of CCS 3200m. format

Dear Members of the CCS Track & Field Committee,                                                                                

As you may remember, a couple of years ago at the end of the year meeting, your Committee proposed that the only ONE heat of the 3200 be conducted at the semifinals (rather than two (2) which had been the practice.  That proposal was accepted by the CCS Board of Managers.  Thus, as you remember from last year’s meet, we conducted only ONE heat in each gender, putting all 32 automatic qualifiers on the track at the same time.

This year, due to the fact that we had an unusually high number of at-large entries in the Girls 3200 (we have a total of 45 entries in that event)  and due to the fact that we have 1 less lane at San Jose City College (8 lanes) than we had at Gilroy HS (9 lanes), Meet Management and the CCS Commissioner have a serious concern about the safety of the athletes entered in this race.  As per the CCS Constitution, the CCS Commissioner is authorized to temporarily set aside a bylaw when there is a safety issue involved.  After consulting with the CCS Track & Field Games Committee, the Meet Referee, the USATF Starters, and a member of the CCS Track & Field Meet Jury of Appeals, it was unanimously felt that this was a serious safety concern.  Therefore, Commissioner Lazenby Blaser has decided to accept a unanimous recommendation to temporarily set aside the bylaw (which calls for only one heat of the 3200) and to conduct two heats of the 3200 meters as was conducted prior to the change a few years ago.  Noting that there are some at-large entries on the boys side as well, the fact that SJCC has one less lane, and in the spirit of gender equity, the boys 3200 will also feature two heats.   Thus two heats of 3200 meters will be conducted for each gender.  The top two athletes from each heat and next fastest 8 times (total of 12) will advance to the Finals. 

In addition due to these circumstances, the CCS Track & Field Committee will revisit this bylaw at their evaluation meeting which is scheduled for June 10 at 4 pm at the CCS Office.

I would like to thank all the members of the Meet Management Team who considered this issue and provided their input.

I would ask that all Representatives to the Track & Field Committee and the CCS League Commissioners please pass this on to the coaches in their league.

Steve

Steve Filios
CCS Assistant Commissioner

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

CCS Heats for Saturday's Semifinals posted

Go to this link:  http://www.soqueltrack.com/results/ (click individual events for heats)

What is the most competitive event in CCS?

El Camino’s Castro sweeps PAL finals

El Camino’s Gerardo Castro was still trying to catch his breath after a standout performance in the boys’ 3,200 meter in Saturday’s Peninsula Athletic League Track and Field Championship finals.

Amid congratulations from teammates and competitors alike, El Camino head coach Pat Holmes walked nonchalantly over to his star senior distance runner and handed him a surprise — a numbered badge for the upcoming 4x400 meter boys relay.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Castro said smiling through deep heaving breaths.

Holmes was not kidding. So, Castro reciprocated by running a serious anchor leg to lead the Colts’ boys to a decisive win in the 4x400 meter. It was the fourth win of the meet for Castro, who also topped the podium in the 800, the 1,600 and the 3,200. Because of his exceptional showing at the PAL Championship, Castro has been named the San Mateo Daily Journal Athlete of the Week.

To read the rest of this article, go to this link.

Monday, May 19, 2014

EBAL Championship Meet Videos

Girls Varsity 1600m. (Winner Brooke Starn Monte Vista HS 4:53.15)


Boys Varsity 1600m. (Winner Blair Hurlock De La Salle HS 4:10.44)


Videos of other EBAL races here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/trackcoachozzie

Saturday, May 17, 2014

NorCal Track and Field Results rolling in...

NCS
http://www.fordtiming.com/Results/2014/MCAL/Results.htm (MCAL)  Fred Huxham 4:09.99 1600m.
http://amadortrack.com/index.php?p=8&t=5#page_pos (EBAL Live results)
TCAL League Championship Results (No team results yet)
http://running.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/13413/2014-nbl-track-finals/ (NBL Track Finals)
http://running.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/13477/2014-scl-track-finals/ (SCL Track Finals)
http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/MeetResults.aspx?Meet=204648 (WACC)
BCL Results (at Chabot JC)
BVAL Results
DFAL Results
DVAL Part 1 Results (NEW)
DVAL Part 2 Results (NEW)
HDLN Results (NEW)
CMC Finals Results (NEW)

CCS
http://www.soqueltrack.com/results/ (PAL results) Jeremy Wright Terra Nova 47.61!
http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2014/wbal_res.htm (WBAL)

SJS
http://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2014/sfl/ (Sierra Foothill)
http://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2014/drl/ (Delta River)

NS
http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Meet/List.aspx?S=2014&R=3&L=4 (scroll down to current date)

Great shot of Fred Huxham finishing his 1600m.

Friday, May 16, 2014

2014 WCAL Results

http://www.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2014/wcal_res.htm

Only the top 2 advanced from this very competitive league unless they surpassed the following at-large marks:
100 11.17 100 12.62
200 22.50 200 25.70
400 49.77 400 58.40
800 1:57.40 800 2:18.47
1600 4:25.18 1600 5:13.03
3200 9:39.55 3200 11:40.03
110 HH 15.44 100 HH 15.84
300 IH 40.48 300 LH 47.19
400 Relay 43.49 400 Relay 49.78
1600 Relay 3:27.21 1600 Relay 4:03.03
Long Jump 21’ 04" Long Jump 16’10.25"
Triple Jump 43’ 09.5" Triple Jump 35'2.00"
High Jump 6’ 01.00" High Jump 5’ 00.00”
Pole Vault 12'8.00" Pole Vault 10’ 08.00”
Shot Put 48'7.75" Shot Put 36’ 11.50”
Discus 141'3.00" Discus 109’ 00.00”

Also from NCS
http://www.fordtiming.com/Results/2014/MVAL/Results.htm (MVAL)
http://www.saintmaryschs.org/wp-content/uploads/2014-TCAL-Championships-Prelims-Results.pdf (TCAL)

Blind Pole Vaulter Flies Fearlessly

NorCal Track & Field Newspaper coverage...

California State Track and Field Guide

The road to the California state Track & Field championship starts with from a great collection of league meets and runs through 10 different sections.  Here is a breakdown of each section along with all the dates, bulletins and info for each section.  The dates of the championship meets are noted below as well as the automatic state meet qualifiers from each section.  Athletes who finish in non-automatic qualifying positions can also qualify by surpassing the at-large marks posted below.
Northern Section (May 30, 2014) 1 Automatic Qualifier
http://cifns.org/playoff/guidelines/Track.pdf
Sac-Joaquin Section (May 30, 2014) 3 Automatic Qualifiers
http://www.cifsjs.org/sports/spring-sports/track-field/
North Coast Section (May 31, 2014) 3 Automatic Qualifiers
http://cifncs.org/sports/track/
San Francisco Section (May 31, 2014) 1 Automatic Qualifier
http://www.cifsf.org/Schedules/track1314.pdf
Central Coast Section (May 30, 2014) 3 Automatic Qualifiers
http://www.cifccs.org/playoffs/track,%20new.html
Central Section (May 24, 2014) 3 Automatic Qualifiers
http://www.cifcs.org/content/boysgirlstrack-field
Los Angeles Section (May 29, 2014) 3 Automatic Qualifiers
LA Section Meet Info
Southern Section (May 30, 2014) 6 Automatic Qualifiers
http://www.cifss.org/admin/images/bulletins/playoff%20bulletin%2014.pdf
San Diego Section (May 31, 2014) 3 Automatic Qualifiers
http://www.cifsds.org/index.php/spring-/track-a-field-boys-a-girls
California State Track and Field Championships 
2014 "At-Large" Standards 
Boys Girls 
100 10.69 11.92 
200 21.75 24.50 
400 48.29 55.94 
800 1:52.98 2:11.80 
1600 4:14.24 4:55.15 
3200 9:08.64 10:35.79 
110/100 Hurdles 14.42 14.23 
300 Hurdles 38.19 43.54 
4x100 Relay 41.92 47.53 
4x400 Relay 3:18.31 3:51.27 
High Jump 6-07.00 5-05.00 
Pole Vault 15-02.00 11-07.00 
Long Jump 22-10.00 18-04.00 
Triple Jump 46-10-00 38-04.00 
Shot Put 57-09.00 41-02.00 
Discus 171-05.00 134-03.00
California State Track and Field Championship (June 6/7, 2014) at Buchanan High School
http://www.cifstate.org/index.php/state-championships-/track-a-field

Thursday, May 15, 2014

5th Annual "5 Star High Jump Camp"

The 5th annual  "5 Star High Jump Camp"  will take place on June 19th & 20th at Saint Mary’s High School in Berkeley.  It is designed for intermediate and advanced high jumpers who are looking for improvement.  The 2 day camp will cover all aspects of high jumping... the approach, take-off and layout... as well as general and high jump specific plyometrics, drills, and specific weight-training exercises. Video will be taken of very athlete and an analysis of the video will be used to provide the best possible recommendations for each jumper.  Athletes will be presented with an instructional manual and DVD, complete with personal written evaluations, analysis and recommendations.

The camp will be limited to 8  -  10 jumpers to insure that every athlete is afforded specialized time with the coaches.    Admission to the camp is on a first come - first serve basis.   All participants must fill out a questionnaire and sign a liability waiver.  The camp is being run by former U.C. Berkeley All-American (and school record-holder - 7'5¾") Jeff Rogers who is currently the coach at Saint Mary's High School .  Coach Rogers' former pupil, 2004 California State Champion and 4 time NCAA All-American Ed Wright, will be the other camp clinician. For more information about the camp and the clinicians, go to:
 http://sites.google.com/site/5starhjcamp/ 

- Jeff Rogers

Saturday, May 10, 2014

NUHS - Garrett Migliozzi sets new NUHS 1600m track record


4:12.62 at Nevada Union Invitational on Friday, May 9th.

Save Toro Park

Cross country coaches and fans,
Some of you may have heard but there are plans moving forward for a private sports complex at Toro Park in Salinas. We currently use Toro Park for many of our cross country events and specifically, we at North Monterey County HS, use it to host the annual Earlybird Invitational. We started this event 20 years ago with a modest handful of local teams and we used to host it here on campus until we lost the use of the land behind the track (that’s another story all together). Anyway, the event has grown to be one of the largest meets in the central part of California and we now host over 75 schools and more than 2,500 runners each year.  This year will be our 20th Anniversary edition. With the complex proposition we risk losing the park for major running events and I really have no idea what we would do. Earlybird may need to be cancelled.  Currently the CCS Championships are held there every other year and if we indeed lose the park we will lose that site for championship events. Local leagues use the park yearly for their championships and may also need to re-locate. This decision could affect thousands of high school runners that use the park on a yearly basis.
Anyway, we obviously are hoping that the developers have a change of heart or that the people making the decisions to approve the project consider the effects on the running community as well as the loss of open public space in a beautiful county park.
Here is an editorial by a Michael Dove, a local running guru, who explains it better than I can.
If any of you would like to help keep Toro Park the way it is, for whatever reason, please send an email to the following emails. 

Friday, May 09, 2014

Coach Jim (Tracy)

What do you say,
Crusty old Jim
With your rattlesnake kick
And your broad-beaming wits?
Do you still ask,
Where you are now,
How you were chosen to inspire
Daughters and sons of privilege to a higher power?

Who gave you light,
Carnival Jim 
In your never-lost years'
Wanders upon midways and roads?
Was your living that way,
Seeking something shining among barkers and cons,
Packing up sorrows like gypsies at dawn,
Another form of honesty and devotion?

Oh, injuries!
Oh, solitudes!
Oh, the pains of grasping 
Answers that can't be found alone.
You've got to laugh. You've got to cry.
You've got to wonder how many times you musr try.
Saint Dominic's preview of monuments past Druids'
Another strained  Achilles keeping you from the race.

Well, like we say,
Funny old Jim,
With your Father Pat voice
Advising Jimmy Cagney to go straight,
Chances arise 'round unforeseen corners.
You got the job--a kind-of job--
Coaching thèse University High kids
In Cross-Country.

They don't know anything
About geeks or tricks or a can of beans for supper.
Yet they do want
To excel, just like you.
They do want something more
Than can be taken through screens.
They're like teen-agers anywhere--
They want proofs of themselves.

Alright, then, let's drill down!
Oh, Jim is tough!
Oh my God, his work-outs!
How he stands there, frowning, with his stop-watch?
'This is a stopwatch, not a sun-dial."
But he's always there, isn't he?
In the rain--in the dawn--and after dark.
He's always trying to improve your form.

To advance in distance-running
Is to explore, accept and control pain.
The team goes out every day. You do the work-outs.
You do the hill-repeats. You do fartleks 
Through mud and slippery eucalyptus in the Presidio. 
You do tempo without slacking from the per-minute pace.
You do--oh my God and let-us-bear-this-cross Jesus Christ!--
24 400's with one minute's rest between each.

You collapse on the infield. 
Sun-spots dot your sight.
You dig deep into darkness
So you can race with light.

Races are proofs 
Of what you and the team can do.
Races are meant to be more than you've done before.
You have to push from "Go!"
Your pace must match your goal. 
Your breathing grows heavy
Even as from adrenaline your footsteps spring.
Your breathing becomes steady gasps,
Shallow as you can make it, posture upright too,
Eyes alert with focus 
Down the road, round the course and track,
Even as lactic acid builds up in your legs.
Oh, that bear--that lactic acid
Surely knotting up in your thighs, 
Fatigue carrying into arms and back--
That bear will come if you put out effort
Like Jim wants you to do!
Still you must push--
You must keep legs and arms going
While you still keep your form--
Another lap--one more quarter-
Mile--then another--another--
Another--count them, hold something
Left for the finish--breaths panting
Now, chest heaving now, mind
Screaming "Stop! Stop this pain
Now!" even as Jim shouts
"Relax!" Relax? Is he crazy?
"Relax and dig in! You've got one quarter to go!
Kick! Lift! Lift! Kick! Legs straight! Form! Form!"
And you do! In that state 
Of agony reaching for ecstasy,
All naked, all out there, all on the line,
Before friends, family, strangers,
You do keep going, You do "Kick!" 
You do "Kick! Lift! Form!" Even if
Your form falls onto hands and knees,
You like the sickest, blind, dehydrated dog,
Puddle of guts in human "Form!"
Across the Finish line.

Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid, Saint Cyrian
And all Twelve Irish Mystic Apostles
Understood what faith is to gain.
You needn't be pushy. You needn't proselytize.
You show who you are because you sleep in your car.
Your faith is to honor utmost sacrifice--
Give what you can--
Without foo-faw, without fanfare,
Without gilded steeple, wafers and wine.
When fate adds more weight to your faith
You must shoulder that too.
Crusty old Jim, funny old Jim,
You must wonder at your being given 
Great Lou Gehrig's disease,
This unconquerable failing
Somehow thrown into the spotlight you've won.
Yet the Shadow adds too. 
That your legs and arms fail is beyond irony.
That the only means you're ever had for certain freedom,
Your body's power to go for a run,
Is going--going--gone must be some kind of lesson  
That's beyond irony.
Those legs, so prone to injuries 
That precluded will from glory
Despite your pre-race supper of hamburger-and-fries,
Ache so much now. 
They actually start to buckle,
To go out under you even when you're walking,
You have to gimp up the ramp to the track.
You need a wheelchair, the last years you feel,
And you start to lose your aim and grip
Even in that damned wonder-working wheelchair.
You flail a little and a little more and then--
Still you're there, with stopwatch, clipboard, and Kevin,
By the track and trails, with the latest bunch of kids
From University, and you bark and encourage them
And you love them as best you can, right till the end.

The light at the end
Of a hard life's road
Opens wide and bright
As the rise to dawn.

It's such a relief
From pains of one's will.
You see your past whole
And see what is good.

See, death is nothing
But close of travails,
And life 's still ahead,
New vessels of deeds.

Don Paul, May 7, 2014

Monday, May 05, 2014

Why Are These Teens So Fast?

This High School Track and Field season has been remarkable especially on the girls distance side.  Eye popping times have been posted throughout the season, seemingly every weekend.  The latest is senior, Elise Cranny, who ran 4:10.95 for 1500m. last night at the Payton Jordan Invitational.  For those of you not familiar with the 1500m., that time converts roughly to 4:29.4 for 1600m.  That's FAST!  The HS record in the 1600m. is Christine Babcock's 4:33.86 while the mile record is Polly Plumer's 4:35.24.  The 1500m. record is Mary Cain's 4:04.62.

Check out this great article in the latest Running Times written by Marc Bloom that tries to get to the bottom of this great explosion of fast times:

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Payton Jordan Invitational Live Results

http://rtspt.com/events/stanford/pjc14/

Some notable former NorCal HS runners.

3000m. Steeplechase Women
Sara Hall Montgomery HS 9:42.10
Megan Bordes Redwood HS 10:47.11
Danielle Katz Los Gatos HS 10:57.33

800m. Women
Justin Fedronic Carlmont HS 2:02.38
Shannon Rowbury Sacred Heart Cathedral HS 2:02.58
Brett Zorich Monte Vista HS 2:07.18

800m. Men
Cole Williams Urban HS 1:50.68
Nathanael Litwiller Clayton Valley HS 1:51.18
Eugene Hamilton III Bishop O'Dowd 1:52.71

5000m. Men
Erik Olson Novato HS 13:36.91
Diego Estrada Alisal HS 13:41.45
Weston Strum Pioneer HS 13:50.64
Thomas Joyce Campolindo HS 13:57.31
John Lawson Sir Francis Drake 14:03.78

5000m. Women
Kelsey Santisteban Castro Valley HS 15:52.94
Carrie Verdon Campolindo HS 15:59.83
Alycia Cridebring College Park HS 16:03.90
Vanessa Fraser Scotts Valley HS 16:22.64
Mel Lawrence Reno HS 16:23.48

10000m. Women
Kim Conley Montgomery HS 31:48.71
Alia Gray Maria Carrillo HS 32:57.85
Kaitlin Gregg Davis HS 33:24.54

10000m. Men
Brendan Gregg Davis HS 28:28.54

Feel free to add anybody I missed in the comment section below.

Friday, May 02, 2014

Sacramento Meet of Champions Preview (all running events)

http://ca.milesplit.com/articles/127327-sacramento-meet-of-champions-meet-preview

Some great match-ups as we head closer to the post season.  The rest of the races (400m. relay, 1600m. and short hurdles races already posted) and field events will be posted throughout the day.

What will be the most competitive race?  Will we see any state meet leading marks from this meet?  Who is on a roll and could surprise the pr-meet favorites?

For those of you that won't be able to make it up to American River College tomorrow, you can watch the live feed of the meet at this link.

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