Stanford Invitational

Here is the final schedule for today and tomorrow LINK

Results LINK.

Here are all the competitors over the next two days LINK

What events are you most looking forward to watching? What are going to be the most competitive events?

NorCal Invitational Results

Firebird Relays
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/fb_res.htm

Azuza Meet of Champions (not quite NorCal but NorCal athletes did compete there)
https://files.finishedresults.com/Track2024/Meets/11933-Meet-of-Champions-Distance-Classic.html

Bay Area Relays
https://diablotiming.com/results/377/results.htm

Lynbrook Invitational
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/lyn_res.htm

Stanford Invitational entries are posted

You can find them at this link:
https://www.rtspt.com/events/stanford/invite24/accepted_hs.htm

Athlete and coach interviews

With spring break coming up, I will have a little more time on my hands. I would like to add a few more interviews with current or past NorCal athletes as well as coaches. If you have somebody in mind, please add them below. I am in the process of interviewing two runners from the past that I think you will enjoy reading.

For past interviews, go to the links on the right of this blog.

Weekend NorCal Invitational Results

Dublin Distance Fiesta
https://diablotiming.com/results/396/

St. Francis Invitational
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/527191/results/all

Eddie Hart Invitational
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/600664-11th-annual-eddie-hart-invitational-2024/results

Jesuit Sprint, Throw, and Vault
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/603828-jesuit-sprint-throw-and-vault-2024/results

Vanden Invitational
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/600624-vanden-invitational-2024/results

Sky Mote Invitational 
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/594435-sky-mote-memorial-invite-2024/results

San Ramon Sprint Festival
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/597720-san-ramon-sprint-festival-2024/results

Santa Rosa Field Event Invitational
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/600628-santa-rosa-field-event-invitational-jamboree-2024/results

2024 Dublin Distance Fiesta Preview

The Dublin Distance Fiesta (DDF) is back, bigger than ever. In total, over two days, diehard fans will witness a record-setting number of distance heats. Above is starter Doug Griffith whose son is the San Ramon Valley 800m record holder at 1:51.31. Doug will certainly be one of the busiest workers at the meet if he once again starts most of the races.

This season, the DDF will once again be held on the third Friday/Saturday of March and this will be the largest one date. For comparison check out this year's numbers compared with last year.

Year	Schools	Student-Athletes	Entries	Heats
2023	170	3,346	5,170	182
2024	193	3,809	6,079	212

According to meet director and Dublin head coach Chris Williams, the DDF will once again be the largest distance-only meet in the United States based on the total number of entries. 

OK, now a bit of history I share each year regarding this meet for those of you attending the soon-to-be-world-famous Dublin Distance Fiesta (RIP Peter Brewer). The meet has been held at Dublin HS since 2009 with the lone exception being the 2020 season when it was not held. Before 2009, the meet was held at Skyline HS (one year), Cal Berkeley (one year), and then multiple years at the original location, Piedmont HS. 

* * *

Last year, the 4 x 800-meter relay races made their debut in this meet on Friday. The winners from both races established new meet records with Rio American taking the girl's race and Clayton Valley winning a very competitive boys' race. The favorites to win the girl's race will be Campolindo with their superstar senior, Shea Volkmer. For the boys, the two favorites will be Los Gatos HS and Davis HS.

Aside from super fast competitive fields, the Dublin Distance Fiesta is known for its incredible efficiency. You can check this out in action thanks to Jesuit coach, Walt Lange in the following video made a few years ago.

Let's take a closer look at the "Sombrero" races (coined by Walt Lange?)

GIRLS 1600

Meet Record - Riley Chamberlain (Del Oro/SJ) - 4:46.34 ('22)

This meet has grown over the years and proof of the competitiveness of this meet is the record in this event. In 2015, Sonora's Cassi Land lowered the 1600 record at the DDF to 5:06.01. A year later, Miramonte's Hannah Fishlow lowered the record to 5:02.79. The first runner to lower the record under 5 minutes was Redwood's Gillian Wagner in 2017 as she raced to a 4:55.35 victory. That time held up until 2021 when Albany's Sophia Nordenholz ran 4:53.26 in the 3rd DDF that season (that's right 3rd!). In 2022, Del Oro senior Riley Chamberlain outran Montgomery's talented then-freshman Hanne Thomsen to set the new standard at 4:46.34.

This Saturday, Thomsen is the clear favorite but it will take a tremendous solo effort on her part to break the now stout record in this race. Thomsen just recently signed an NIL with New Balance making her the first NorCal runner to sign such a deal. She has now won three state titles in cross country as well as a state championship in 2022 in the 3200 meters as a freshman.

The second fastest runner in the field is Eleanor Raker from Galena in Reno Nevada. She ran 4:51.81 at the end of the last year's Track and Field season. Evangeline Marheineke of Archbishop Mitty is right there with a 4:52.42 personal best. A wild card in this field is Acalanes senior Olivia Williams who is fresh from a victorious effort in the 3200 at the Dan Gabor Invitational.

BOYS 1600

Meet Record - Ajani Salcido (Jesuit/SJ) 4:09.95 ('21)

The boy's 3200m race has typically been the main event of this meet with some of the best runners in Northern California battling each other for supremacy in that event. For many years, the record at this meet was held by Novato's Erik Olson who ran 4:17.28 in 2009. In 2021, that record was smashed as Jesuit's Ajani Salcido and Amador Valley's John Lester dueled over three laps before Salcido pulled away to win in the still-standing meet record at 4:09.95.

We should have quite a dual in this event this year and the meet record may be in danger. Albany senior Lucas Cohen has a PR that is nearly identical to the meet record with his 4:09.97 best at last year's Sacramento Meet of Champions. His main competition should come from Pioneer junior Carson Hedlund who owns a 4:11.16 PR. Menlo junior Landon Pretre ran 4:13.00 at the Oregon Relays. El Cerrito senior Niall Monteleone was victorious at this distance at the Dan Gabor Invitational with a time of 4:19.96. Santa Cruz junior Eli Fitchen-Young posted an outstanding cross country season in the fall and seems primed for some fast times on the ovals.

GIRLS 800

Meet Record - Alyssa Brewer (California/NC) 2:08.99 ('18)

History could be made in this race as Stanford bound and Scotts Valley senior Ashlyn Boothby (Karl Mondon photo above) will attempt to be the first runner in Dublin Distance Fiesta to win all three individual races in her career. Last season, Boothby won both the 1600 and 3200 and she will be one of the favorites to win the 800 this Saturday. She was nearly undefeated in the 800 last season and her lone loss was a 2:09.03 4th place finish at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Her main competition will come from Montgomery's talented junior, Hanne Thomsen who will also have an opportunity to complete the career DDF trifecta victory. She won the 3200 as a freshman and will be in the 1600 and 800. The winner of the 800 here could make history.

BOYS 800

Meet Record - Yutaka Roberts (El Camino/CC) 1:52.34 ('22)

Another meet record that might be in danger could be the boys' 800 meters. Homestead junior 

Evan Gardner (Karl Monday/SJ Mercury News photo above) made huge strides at the end of the season as he lowered his personal best from 2:03.84 in his first race of the season to 1:52.47 at the State Meet Trials to qualify for the final. 

His main competition should come from Pleasant Valley junior Jackson Hein who as a sophomore qualified for the state final and finished 5th with a new best of 1:53.71. San Domenico senior Joaquin Foster also qualified for the state final last year running 1:53.89 in the prelims.

Other noteworthy competitors are Jeffrey Overgaard of Lincoln, Stockton who has already established a new PR of 1:54.44. Jesuit freshman Lucas Alberts won the Bronco Roundup with an exemplary time for a 9th grader at 1:55.67.

GIRLS 3200

Meet Record - Hanne Thomsen (Montgomery/NC) 10:14.46 ('22)

Montgomery junior Hanne Thomsen is entered in this race and if she does start, she will be the favorite to win and potentially break her own meet record. Whether Thomsen races or not, another runner tearing up the track so far this season is Campolindo senior Shea Volkmer (photo courtesy of Campolindo HS). She has already established new PRs in the 800 (2:16.43) and the 1600 (4:49.70) and seems primed for a huge breakthrough in the 3200.

Other noteworthy runners are Galena's Eleanor Raker (10:26.80), Evangeline Marheineke of Archbishop Mitty (10:28.21) and Olivia Williams of Acalanes (NCS Division IV XC champion).

BOYS 3200

Meet Record - Matt Strangio (Jesuit/SJ) 8:47.97 ('19)

The meet record in this event appears to be safe as a sub 8:50 effort in mid March seems a bit out of reach for this field. Albany senior Lucas Cohen has already posted a winning effort at the Dan Gabor Invitational with a time of 9:16.76. He does have a personal best of 9:00.24 from last year's Arcadia Invitational. 

Sonora junior Broen Holman (Daniel Tyree photo above) is already quite familiar with Cohen as those two battled in the individual race of the day at the CA state cross country meet as well as NXN. Holman has a personal best of 9:01.38. 

Other runners in the mix include Arrin Sagiraju of Dougherty Valley and Benjamin Bouie of Crystal Springs Uplands who ran 9:10.21 and 9:10.23 respectively at the Campo Mid-Season Mania 3200. Omar Alsaidi has a best of 9:12.89. A couple of wild cards in this field are Trey Caldwell of De La Salle and Olaf Dietz of Berkeley who nearly ran down Lucas Cohen at the previously mentioned Dan Gabor Invitational. Menlo junior Will Hauser was a member of the Menlo 4 x 800 team last year that finished 2nd at state and his dad Brad was a Stanford University all-American as well as 2000 Olympican in the 5000m.

GIRLS DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY

Meet Record - Santa Cruz (CC) - 12:07.58 ('18)

The Campolindo girls may be going for the relay sweep provided they win the 4 x 800 relay on Friday. Their main competition should come from two Division V schools, Bay School and University. Bay School will be anchored by Division V state cross country champion Elsa Krummel (photo above courtesy of West Coast XC). 

Because of COVID, this relay was not contested in 2021 and obviously in 2020 when the meet was not held at all. Here are the winning teams over the past few years which I posted last year and now include last year's champion, Campolindo.

 2023 Campolindo 12:36.04

2022 Tamalpais 12:34.83

2019 St. Francis, Sacramento 12:22.61

2018 Santa Cruz HS 12:07.58 (meet record)

2017 San Ramon Valley HS 12:23.41

2016 Monte Vista HS 12:16.21

2015 Bella Vista HS 12:14.03

2014 Las Lomas HS 12:31.29

BOYS DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY

Meet Record - Davis (SJ) - 10:23.93 ('16)

This is always a tough event to predict as many of the fastest teams will include runners doubling back from the just concluded 3200m. So without picking a favorite, here are the contenders. Last year, Matilda Torres out of the Fresno area finished in 6th place and appears primed to move up the rankings here. Jesuit has a group of young runners that will contend for the title. Scotts Valley has been one of the strongest teams in CCS while Yosemite has a strong foursome that will be chasing the win here.

Dublin Distance Fiesta Week!

The Dublin Distance Fiesta will take place this Friday and Saturday and this will be the largest Fiesta to date. You can check out all the info at the following links. I will also post a preview by this Friday. In the meantime, feel free to comment below on any of the races that you feel will be FIRE!

Meet Program HERE

Meet Schedule HERE

12 NCS athletes to watch this upcoming Track and Field season

 In alphabetical order...

Amirat Temi Aganju, Pittsburg (Sprints/Hurdles)
Pittsburg sophomore Amirat Temi Aganju is a threat in multiple events including hurdles, sprints, and relays. Last season, Temi Aganju finished in 2nd place in the 300m hurdles at the NCS MOC and recorded her best time of 45.08 at the state final prelims. She also anchored Pittsburg to victory in the 400 relay and her team just missed the final with the 11th fastest time in the prelims. Her points in multiple events helped Pittsburg finish 5th as a team at the section final.

Lucas Cohen, Albany (Distance)
You can check out my recent interview with Lucas Cohen at this LINK. Cohen is one of the top returning distance runners in the section and should make an impact at the state level in whatever he chooses to pursue toward the end of the season. Last year, Cohen recorded personal bests of 1:58.37, 4:09.97 and 9:00.24. He will have an opportunity to climb up the ranks in the section all-time lists which you can find at this LINK.

Amaya DeFlorimonte, Bishop O'Dowd (Sprints/Jumps)
Another multi-talented athlete is Bishop O'Dowd sophomore Amaya DeFlorimonte. During the 2023 season, DeFlorimonte finished in 3rd place in the 400 meters at the section final and recorded her best time of 57.66 at the state prelims. She also competed in the triple jump taking the section title with a best of 37'3" getting valuable state meet experience in another event as a freshman.

Eden Enoru, Heritage (Sprints)
As a sophomore, Heritage sprinter Eden Enoru qualified for the state meet in the 200 meters as she finished in 3rd place with a near-season best of 25.28. In the 400, Enoru was the section champion and recorded the best time of her season at the Nike Outdoor Nationals with a time of 56.58. She also anchored her team's 4 x 400 meters relay to a 3rd place finish helping Heritage finish in 6th place as a team.

Joaquin Foster, San Domenico (Mid-Distance)
Before 2008, Crystal Springs Uplands resided in the BCL West and in NCS. I know it's been a few years but it still gives me a double-take when I see San Domenico with male competitors. Last season, San Domenico junior Joaquin Foster finished in 2nd place in the 800 meters to qualify for the state meet where he posted his best time ever in the prelims with a time of 1:53.89.

Jaden Jefferson, De La Salle (Sprints)
De La Salle has had its share of quality sprinters in the past including former NFL player Maurice Jones-Drew II. Last season, DLS freshman Jaden Jefferson certainly joined the Spartan elite sprinter ranks with a most impressive high school rookie season. He qualified for both sprint finals at the NCS MOC meet finishing in 6th in the 200 meters with a time of 22.38 and qualified for the state meet in the 100 meters as he finished in 2nd place with a time of 10.71. Jefferson also led off for the 400 meters relay as the team finished in 2nd place at the section meet and 5th place at the state meet. De La Salle was the section team champion.

Trevor Rogers, Acalanes (Sprints/Jumps)
During the 2023 season, the Acalanes 400 meters relay team finished in 2nd place at the state meet with a time of 40.96. That time places Acalanes as the 4th fastest team in section history trailing only 2009 DLS 40.85, 1981 Berkeley 40.86 and 1984 Berkeley 40.93. Running 3rd for Acalanes last season was junior Trevor Rogers. Along with relay duty, Rogers was also 

Brandon Rush, Bishop O'Dowd (Hurdles/Jumps)
Brandon Rush competed in many events during the 2023 season including sprints, hurdles, relays and jumps. He was at his best in the jumps where he finished in 5th place in the long jump. His best leap of 22'2.25" was recorded at the Sacramento Meet of Champions. He qualified for the state meet in the triple jump with a 2nd place finish at the NCS MOC and qualified for the state final where he finished in 5th place with a jump of 46'2.75".

Ali Santia, Clayton Valley (Sprints/Jumps)
Santia was one of the premier triple jumpers in the state. She was the DAL and NCS Tri-Valley champion in her specialty. At the NCS MOC, Santia finished in 2nd place with a leap of 36'11.25". At the state meet, Santia advance to the finals where she finished in 8th place with a season-best of 37'7.25".

Pinkie Schnayer, Campolindo (Throws)
One of the top throwers in the section, Schnayor recorded a best in the discus with a throw of 116'1". It was in the shot put that Schnayor stood out as she won a section title with a mark of 39'7.75". Her points in both events helped Campolindo win the team title. Schnayor has come out of the gates on fire in the discus as she recorded a huge PR in the shot put with a throw of 45'7". She also threw the discus 124'8" which is another PR.

La'Rico Tezeno, Pittsburg (Hurdles)
Tezeno is one of the top returning hurdlers in the section following the 2023 season. At the NCS MOC, Tezeno finished in 2nd place in the 110 meters hurdles with a time of 14.74. He won the 300 meters hurdles with a mark of 39.50. He also led off the 400 meters relay for Pittsburg as they narrowly missed the state meet with a 4th place finish at the section final.

Hanne Thomsen, Montgomery (Distance)
Hanne Thomsen, one of the most dedicated distance runners in NCS history is only a junior and she just recently signed an NIL with New Balance. Last season, Thomsen, recorded bests of 2:12.47, 4:43.63 and 9:55.31. At the NCS MOC meet, Thomsen was a double winner in the 1600 and 3200 and helped rally her team to a 2nd place finish in the inaugural 4 x 800 meter relay. At the state meet, she finished in 4th place in the 1600 but was unable to finish in the 3200 due to an injury.

Saturday Invitational live results

Dan Gabor Invitational
https://diablotiming.com/results/2024-03-02/

Rustbuster at Monta Vista HS
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2022/CurrentMeet/Track___Field.htm

Big Cat Invitational Results

https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2024-boys-big-cat/

https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2024-girls-big-cat/