Monday, January 29, 2018

Cooper Teare gets his sub 4 minute mile

With a final time of 3:59.29, 2017 St. Joseph Notre Dame grad Cooper Teare finally got his sub 4-minute mile on Saturday at the famed Armory Track. He became the 496th American male to break the 4-minute barrier in the mile (9th person to do it indoors this season). You can see the complete list below thanks to Track and Field News. Take note that the first American to break the 4-minute mile was Don Bowden, a Lincoln (San Jose) HS/Cal Berkeley grad.

Teare had multiple sub 4-minute attempts last year as a senior with a best of 4:00.16 at the Mt. SAC Invitational. Photo to left taken by Anne Bevan and passed along by his high school coach, Tony Fong

https://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/category-lists/1476-tafn-us-sub-400-milers

Friday, January 26, 2018

CA Coaching Legends: Helen Lehman-Winters

Check out my latest installment in this series with former El Cerrito and Carondelet coach, Helen Lehman-Winters (left in photo). Check out what former athlete, Kristen Gordon (right in photo) wrote about her coach who she still corresponds with to this day. Doug Speck is the male in the photo and sadly passed away on March 4th in 2010. A huge loss for our XC and TF communities.
http://ca.milesplit.com/articles/231346-california-coaching-legends-helen-lehman-winters

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

2018 NCS Distance State Meet Contenders

Sorry for the delay but here are my picks for the upcoming NCS Track and Field season. Feel free to comment below on any additions to the lists below. If you feel like a runner or two should be moved up and considered more highly, please add that as well. Did I miss anybody completely that belonged somewhere below?

Girls 800m.
The favorite: Alyssa Brewer California (2-time Defending Section & State Champion)
Threats: Marissa D'Atri Alhambra, Molly Neach San Ramon Valley
Wildcards: Gillian Wagner Redwood, Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy, Keely Murphy Carondelet, Madison Perez Amador Valley

Boys 800m.
The favorites: Jett Charvet Heritage (Defending State Champion)
Threats: Parker Wilkerson Las Lomas, Harrison Fisher De La Salle, Jack Dunbar Petaluma
Wildcards: Reece Proctor Piedmont, Miska Evans Arcata, Kheva Mann Sonoma Academy, Erik Stein Lick-Wilmerding, Will Dunbar Petaluma

Girls 1600m.
The favorite: Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy (Defending Section Champion)
Threats: Gillian Wagner Redwood, Rayna Stanziano Concord, Gabrielle Peterson Healdsburg
Wildcards: Emma Tavella San Ramon Valley, Grace Dailey Branson, Colleen McCandless Granada, Kate Bowen Sonoma Academy, Aimee Armstrong Maria Carrillo, Lauren Lum Alameda, Callie Jones Branson, Claire Jackson University

Boys 1600m.
The favorite: Liam Anderson Redwood (Defending Section Champion)
Threats: Jett Charvet Heritage, John Bennett Granada, Connor Livingston De La Salle
Wildcards: Munir Kabbara San Rafael, Zach Martinez Redwood, Christopher Middleton-Pearson Dublin

Girls 3200m.
The favorites: Colleen McCandless Granada
Threats: Emily Perez St. Joseph Notre Dame, Kate Tavella San Ramon Valley, Kelli Wilson Monte Vista, Jenna Miles Campolindo
Wildcards: Gillian Wagner Redwood, Amanda Olla San Ramon Valley, Isabella Chao Campolindo, Hannah Ruane Campolindo, Gabrielle Peterson Healdsburg, Sydnie Rivas Maria Carrillo, Gracie Dupuis Granada

Boys 3200m.
The favorite: Liam Anderson Redwood (2017 State Meet Qualifier)
Threats: Adrian Schroeder Dublin, Gaurav Phanse Dublin
Wildcards: John Bennett Granada, Preston Norris Las Lomas, James Bull Miramonte, Cooper McCarthy Sir Francis Drake, Sean Laidlaw Lick-Wilmerding, Denny Rich Washington

In the meantime, feel free to start a discussion about the potential favorites and contenders for the fast-approaching spring season.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Cal All-Comers Results

http://www.rtspt.com/events/cal/12018/

Also, for those of you in CCS still finalizing your Track and Field schedule:
Cupertino/De Anza Track Invite (CANCELLED): Due to a major mess up with a construction company at De Anza College, our Track and Field/Football Stadium is going to remain a construction site at least until April. We regret to inform everyone this year we will have to suspend the Tino/De Anza High School Invitational for one year. Look for us to be back on the schedule in 2019. Thank You. Nick Mattis, Head Track and Field/XC Coach, De Anza College

CA Winter Championships Qualifying Meet at Dublin High School - Saturday, January 27, 2018

Hello Coaches,

Thank you for your interest in the CA Winter Championships qualifying meet hosted by Dublin High School on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 12:00 PM.  All of the meet information including the following forms can be found at www.dublincrosscountry.com.  Here are a few things to note:
  • Please be sure to arrive early to avoid long lines and wait times.  We will start the meet on time and roll through the schedule regardless of the registration area lines.
  • Individual Sign Up Online Form - Please have your athletes fill this out by the Thursday, January 25, 2018 6:00 PM deadline.  This will allow them to get their bib number immediately on Saturday upon arrival.  They will NOT have to wait in line in the registration area, which will save them a lot of time and stress.  Here is the direct link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPazgj8tAFS_6j4oF_8c3_8yHnkerRe2cfLWnRKdljNisehw/viewform.
  • Individual Sign Up Paper Sheet - If they are unable to fill out the Online Form, they will need to have this sheet filled out in order to register.  If they could have this filled out before arrival, that will save them SOME time but they will still have to wait in line in the registration area to get a bib number.  You do not need to fill out the "Event" or "Mark" space. Here is the direct link - http://www.dublincrosscountry.com/WT&FCS_files/CA%20Winter%20-%20Athlete%20Sign%20Up.pdf
  • Relay Sign Up Sheet - This will act as your "relay card".  You will need to print this, have it filled out, and provide it at CHECK-IN in order to run in the relay.  You do not need to fill out the "Mark" space.  Here is the direct link - http://www.dublincrosscountry.com/WT&FCS_files/CA%20Winter%20-%20Relay%20Sign%20Up.pdf
  • $12 unlimited entry for athletes, $5 for spectators, and a $20 ADDITIONAL FEE for all qualifying athletes that wish to compete in the CA Track & Field Winter Championship Finals at Arcadia High School on Saturday, February 17, 2018.  This MUST be paid before you leave the meet on Saturday.  Please read more about this at www.dublincrosscountry.com. 
Thanks and we will see you on Saturday!

Thursday, January 18, 2018

2018 SJS Distance State Meet Contenders

As with NCS and CCS, 3 qualify for the CA state Track and Field meet unless you surpass the 2018 At-Large Time Standards.  It's very possible I could have missed an athlete or two so please chime in below on those athletes.  Additional comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite: Cathilyn McIntosh Del Oro (2-time defending Section Champion)
Threats: Jaxin Woodward Vacaville (State Meet Qualifier), Anitha Graves Woodcreek (State Meet Qualifier), Briseida Garcia Gregori
Wildcards: Sophie DeBenedetti St. Francis, Clara Harman Atwater, Jane McLoughlin Napa, Noelle Lynch St. Francis

Boys 800m.
The favorites: Nixon McKenzie Armijo (State Meet Qualifier)
Threats: Abraham Maldonado Atwater, Quenton Alexander Vanden
Wildcards: Karl Winter St. Mary's Stockton, David Vincent Jesuit, Patrick Wiseman Christian Brothers

Girls 1600m.
The favorite: Maddy Denner Oak Ridge (Defending Section and State Champion)
Threats: Olivia O'Keeffe Davis (State Meet Qualifier), Amber Jackson Forest Lake Christian, Cassi Land Sonora
Wildcards: Clarissa Nowag-Nelson McClatchy, Alize Hartke Oakmont, Gabriela Hernandez Vacaville, Isabella Fauria St. Francis, Sac, Sophia Karperos Rio Americano

Boys 1600m.
The favorite: Karl Winter St. Mary's Stockton (Top Returning Underclassman)
Threats: Santiago Ruiz Gregori, Austin Shields Whitney, Rubin Garcia Monterey Trail
Wildcards: Joshua Kling Whitney, Jeremy Lanthier Del Campo, Jesus Reyes Placer, Collin Ullrich Liberty Ranch, Matt Strangio Jesuit

Girls 3200m.
The favorites: Maddy and Elena Denner Oak Ridge (State Meet Qualifiers)
Threats: Sydney Vandegrift St. Francis, Sac, Alize Hartke Oakmont
Wildcards: Sophia Lodigiani Davis, Clarissa Nowag-Nelson McClatchy, Olivia O'Keeffe Davis, Isabella Fauria St. Francis, Sac, Cassi Land Sonora, Gabriela Hernandez Vacaville, Kaela Dishion Bret Harte

Boys 3200m.
The favorite: Matt Strangio Jesuit
Threats: Collin Ullrich Liberty Ranch, Santiago Ruiz Gregori, Jonah Weiner-Brodkay McClatchy, Garrett Gough Nevada Union
Wildcards: Mason Reeves Gregori, Sergio Lopez Del Campo, Drew Spencer Oak Ridge, Damian King Bella Vista, Jesus Reyes Placer, Justin Ferraro Rocklin, Conner Ryan Placer

Next:  2018 NCS Distance State Meet Contenders

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Look who’s back: Norwegian pole vault prodigy returns to Davis

Sondre Guttormsen just vaulted 18'0" at the Reno Pole Vault Summit held on January 11th to become the 2nd high schooler to vault over 18'0". He is attending Davis HS (SJS) after his family returned to the Sacramento area. He has also committed to UCLA once out of HS. According to the newspaper article at this LINK, his eligibility is under question but I have also read that he may be eligible as well. I will do a little more digging to find out if he will actually be able to compete or not. If someone out there is aware of the decision, please chime in below.

Update #1: According to his dad on Twitter, he is eligible to compete for Davis HS.

Update #2: It's been confirmed that he will be able to participate fully for Davis HS in the spring. You will need to surpass 18 feet this year if you want to win the Pole Vault at the CA state meet. Only one other state surpasses that standard. Any guesses?

Update #3: Here is an update from California MileSplit in regards to his eligibility found at this LINK.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

2018 CCS Distance State Meet Contenders

Here is what I have so far. Remember only top 3 qualify for the CA state Track and Field meet unless you make the 2018 At-Large Time Standards. I would like to point out that all the defending champions are back this year which is fairly unusual. Additions? Changes? Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorites: Mari Friedman Santa Cruz (2-time defending section champion)
Threats: Anaya Ward Santa Cruz (2017 state meet qualifier), Kyra Pretre Menlo School
Wildcards: Gabrielle Joffe Mt. View (2016 state meet qualifier), Daniela Salazar Watsonville, Oriana Jalal Cupertino, Kendall Mansukhani Half Moon Bay, Isabelle Cairns St. Francis

Boys 800m.
The favorite: Alex Scales Bellarmine (Defending section champion)
Threats: Jason Gomez Westmont (4th place at 2017 State Meet), Ryan Wilson Carlmont (3rd at 2017 CCS Meet)
Wildcards: Reed Foster Palo Alto, Kyler Spindola Leigh, Garrett MacQuiddy Westmont

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Alex Stout Pacific Collegiate (Defending Section Champion)
Threats: Kaylah Grant Live Oak, Marea Zlatunich Aptos, Oriana Jalal Cupertino
Wildcards: Elana Kamas Homestead, Mari Friedman Santa Cruz, Anna Mokkapati The King's Academy, Emma Madgic Aragon, Naomi Donovan Los Altos, Luci Lambert Sacred Heart Prep

Boys 1600m. 
The favorite: Alex Scales Bellarmine (Defending section champion)
Threats: Jorge Estrella Andrew Hill (2nd at 2017 CCS Meet)
Wildcards: Robert Miranda Menlo, Colton Colonna St. Francis, Zach Walker Willow Glen, Ryan Ma Homestead

Girls 3200m.
The favorite: Alex Stout (Defending Section Champion)
Threats: Kaylah Grant Live Oak, Joyce Shea Gunn
Wildcards: Jenna Lange Nueva, Annika Paylor Los Gatos, Miranda Jimenez Palo Alto, Gabby Hughes Soquel

Boys 3200m.
The favorite: Robert Miranda Menlo (Defending Section Champion)
Threats: Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau Bellarmine, Shyam Kumar St. Francis,  Henry Saul Palo Alto
Wildcards: Jorge Estrella Andrew Hill, Colton Colonna St. Francis, Nicky Medearis Crystal Springs Uplands, Owen MacKenzie Los Altos, Sam Lavorato Palma

Next:  2018 SJS Distance State Meet Contenders

2018 Northern California Cross Country Coaches Summit



Hello Coaches,
We will be hosting the 2018 Northern California Cross Country Coaches Summit on Saturday, January, 20, 2018 at Dublin High School in Dublin, CA from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM:
Please come join us for this fantastic opportunity to gather knowledge and strengthen your coaching.
Chris Williams
Northern California Cross Country Coaches Summit Director

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

The Complete History of XC - Book Launch Party

You can RSVP at this LINK and then get your very own signed copy from author Andrew Boyd Hutchinson on Friday, January 19th from 5pm to 7pm at A Runner's Mind in Burlingame. 

You can check out a preview of the book at this LINK.

For you Cross Country historians, this is a one of a kind book.

Monday, January 08, 2018

2018 Pre-Season All-Norcal Track and Field Distance Team

Below are my choices for preseason All-NorCal Distance Team. I picked one runner each for 1st and 2nd teams and 3-5 runners for honorable mention. Feel free to comment below and please let me know if I left somebody out from the lists below that deserves to be included. Please help spread the word as a lot of people might not be aware that the list below has been posted.

BOYS

800 1st Team (Eric Taylor/SF Gate photo above)
Jett Charvet Heritage (NCS) 1:51.07 (2017 3rd at NCS MOC and CA State Champion)
800 2nd Team
Alex Scales Bellarmine (CCS) 1:50.64 (2017 CCS champion and 2nd at CA State Meet)
800 Honorable Mention
Jason Gomez Westmont (CCS) 1:52.22 (2017 2nd at CCS meet and 4th at CA State Meet)
Ryan Wilson Carlmont (CCS) 1:52.92 (2017 3rd at CCS Meet)
Nixon McKenzie Armijo (SJS) 1:53.88 (3rd at SJS Masters Meet)
Abraham Maldonado Atwater (SJS) 1:54.40 (4th at SJS Masters Meet)
Quinton Alexander Vanden (SJS) 1:54.57 (5th at SJS Masters Meet)


1600 1st Team (Alan Dep/Marin IJ photo above)
Liam Anderson Redwood (NCS) 4:11.74 (2017 3rd at NXN and 4th at CA State Meet)
1600 2nd Team
Jorge Estrella Andrew Hill (CCS) 4:12.31 (2017 2nd at CCS and 6th at CA State Meet)
Alex Scales Bellarmine (CCS) 4:13.39 (2017 CCS Champion)
1600 Honorable Mention
Jett Charvet Heritage (NCS) 4:13.85 (2017 NCS Tri-Valley Champion)
Robert Miranda Menlo (CCS) 4:14.22 (2017 2nd at CCS Top 8 Meet)
John Bennett Granada (NCS) 4:14.50 (2017 3rd at NCS MOC)

3200 1st Team
Liam Anderson Redwood (NCS) 9:03.40 (2017 3rd at NXN and 2nd at NCS MOC)
3200 2nd Team
Robert Miranda (CCS) 9:10.26 (2017 CCS Champion and10th at CA State Meet )
3200 Honorable Mention
Meika Beaudoin-Rousseau Bellarmine (CCS) 9:07.16 (2017 2nd at CCS Championship)
Collin Ullrich Liberty Ranch (SJS) 9:18.33 (2017 1st team All-Norcal XC and Foot Locker finalist)
Adrian Schroeder Dublin (NCS) 9:15.32 (2017 1st team All-Norcal XC)
Matt Strangio Jesuit (SJS) 9:17.58 (2017 15th at NXN and 4th at SJS Masters)
Gaurav Phanse Dublin (NCS) 9:19.49 (2017 7th at NCS MOC)

GIRLS

800 1st Team (SF Gate photo above)
Alyssa Brewer California (NCS) 2:06.86 (2-time defending NCS and State Champion)
800 2nd Team
Cathilyn McIntosh Del Oro (SJS) 2:07.62 (2nd place at 2016 and 2017 State Meets)
800 Honorable Mention
Mari Friedman Santa Cruz (CCS) 2:09.08 (2-time CCS champion and 4th at 2017 CA State Meet)
Marissa D'Atri Alhambra (NCS) 2:11.77 (2017 3rd at NCS MOC)
Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy (NCS) 2:11.91 (2017 4th Place at Mt. SAC Relays)
Rayna Stanziano Concord (NCS) 2:12:53 (2017 DAL Champion)
Gillian Wagner Redwood (NCS) 2:12.91 (2017 MCAL Champion)


1600 1st Team (Andy Alfaro/Modesto Bee photo)
Maddy Denner Oak Ridge (SJS) 4:44.89 (2017 CA State Champion)
1600 2nd Team
Olivia O'Keeffe Davis (SJS)4:48.66 (2nd place at 2017 State Meet)
1600 Honorable Mention
Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy (NCS) 4:49.38 (4th place at 2016 and 2017 State Meets)
Alex Stout Pacific Collegiate (CCS) 4:51.72 (2017 CCS Champion)
Amber Jackson Forest Lake (SJS) 4:52.94 (2017 3rd at SJS Masters and 7th at CA State Meet)
Gillian Wagner Redwood (NCS) 4:53.18 (2017 MCAL and NCS Redwood Empire Champion)
Mari Friedman Santa Cruz (CCS) 4:55.93 (2017 CCS Top 8 champion)



3200 1st Team
Maddy Denner Oak Ridge (SJS) 10:15.18 (2017 2nd at CA State Meet)
3200 2nd Team
Elena Denner Oak Ridge (SJS) 10:14.99 (2017 SJS Masters Champion and 4th at CA State Meet)
3200 Honorable Mention
Alex Stout Pacific Collegiate (CCS) 10:37.10 (2017 CCS Champion)
Sydney Vandegrift St. Francis, Sacramento (SJS) 10:32.12 (2016 state meet qualifier)
Colleen McCandless Granada (NCS) 10:43.04 (2017 2nd at NCS MOC)
Rylee Bowen Sonoma Academy (NCS) 10:13.20 (2016 Arcadia 3200 Champion)

Thursday, January 04, 2018

2017 California Track and Field Top "15" Athletes

You can check out my selections for top "15" athletes from the 2017 Track and Field season at this LINK. There are 7 Northern California that are included in the list. Feel free to add other athletes who you feel should have also been included. It's very possible I could have missed somebody. If you feel some athletes should be moved up or down, please feel free to let me know in the comment section below.

In the next couple of weeks, I will also be posting the state contenders from each Northern California section.

Tuesday, January 02, 2018

San Francisco Section Track and Field Records

SAN FRANCISCO SECTION GIRLS TRACK & FIELD RECORDS
Girls 100 Meters- Deanna Goodwin & Latalia Goins International Studies Academy 11.85 2003/1999
Girls 200 Meters- Chauncey David-Jacobs Phillip & Sala Burton 24.29 2004
Girls 400 Meters- Chauncey David-Jacobs Phillip & Sala Burton 54.53 2005
Girls 800 Meters- Tamara Purpura Lowell 2:10.75 2009
Girls 1600 Meters- Kristen Leung Lowell 4:55.35 2015
Girls Mile -Kristen Leung Lowell 4:55.05 2016
Girls 3200 Meters- Kristen Leung Lowell 10:28.28 2016
Girls 100 HH- Roshena Duree Phillip & Sala Burton 14.28 2002
Girls 300 LH- Myesha Kirtman Lowell 43.36 1997
Girls 4x100- Abraham Lincoln (Antionette Wells, Stacy Greene, Monique Perez, Briggett Bailey) 47.59 1984
Girls 4x400 Meters- Lowell (Echi Anoruo, Latasha Allston, Tamera Purpura, Katherine Jarvis) 3:54.15 2008
Girls 4x800 Meters-Lowell (Sierra Brill, Natalie Ewe, Kristen Leung, Sydney Gutierrez) 9:28.35 2015
Girls 4x1600 Meters-Lowell (Nydia Rivera, Susan Chou, Sopagna Eap, Jennifer Akana) 21:16.88 1997
Girls DMR Relay-Lowell (Sierra Brill, Victoria Yee, Sydney Gutierrez, Kristen Leung) 11:55.71 2015
Girls Pole Vault- Megaen White Lowell 11'0" 2002
Girls High Jump Record- Tanya Lazar-Lee McAteer 5'8" 1991
Girls Long Jump- Shena Ferguson George Washington 20' 3.75" 1992
Girls Triple Jump- Roshena Duree Phillip & Sala Burton 40' 2" 2002
Girls Shot Put- Chioma Amaechi Abraham Lincoln 48' 11" 2010
Girls DiscusPamela Amaechi Abraham Lincoln 177' 0" 2017

SAN FRANCISCO SECTION BOYS TRACK & FIELD RECORDS
Boys 100 Meters- Barry Smith Mission 10.41 1989
Boys 200 Meters- Barry Smith Mission 20.82 1989
Boys 400 Meters- Derek Shepard Abraham Lincoln 46.68 1991
Boys 800 Meters- Geoffrey Henderson George Washington 1:52.4c 1969
Boys 1600 Meters- Jin Daikoku Lowell 4:10.95 2000
Boys Mile -John Hogan Lowell 4:12.46 2014
Boys 3200 Meters- Wolfgang Schmolowitz Abraham Lincoln 9:00.5c 1971 
Boys 110 HH- Michael Kirtman Woodrow Wilson 14.04c 1974
Boys 300 IH- Kareem Dupree Academy of Art & Sciences 37.30 2014
Boys 4x100- Woodrow Wilson (Mike Farmer, Ron Whitaker, Mike Kirtman, Duane Walker) 40.94c 1973 
Boys 4x400- Galileo (Gary Spires, Victor Hall, Kevin Grant, Karl Stewart) 3:15.39 1986
Boys 4x800-Washington (Charlie Lakatos, Willie Eashman, David Niebauer, Geoffrey Henderson) 7:53.4c 1969
Boys DMR Relay-Lowell (John Hogan, Luis Aragon, Donald Chen, Brian Nguyen) 10:22.40 2014
Boys Pole Vault- James McClanahan Galileo 14' 7.25" 1981
Boys High Jump- Maurice Crumby Balboa 7' 4.5" 1983
Boys Long Jump- Ken Frazier Mission 25' 3.5" 1981
Boys Triple Jump- Ken Frazier Mission 52' 4.25" 1981
Boys Shot Put- Mike Lewis Abraham Lincoln 61'2" 1957


Boys Discus- Steve Colvin Lowell 183' 2" 1980

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