Dublin Distance Fiesta Review

Results: https://diablotiming.com/results/2025-03-21/results.htm

Photos thanks to West Coast XC: https://www.westcoastxc.com/photos-1

What was the most impressive performance? Biggest surprise? Who had the best kick in a sombrero race? 

Dublin Distance Fiesta Meet Preview

The 2025 Dublin Distance Fiesta (DDF) is taking place one week later than normal and it's bigger and more robust than ever before. In total, over two almost full days, diehard fans will witness a record-setting number of distance heats. In 2024, two near WORLD RECORDS were established as 333 girls dipped under the 6 minute mark in the 1600 while 567 boys dipped under the 5 minute mark in the same event.

This season, the DDF will be held on the fourth weekend of March (normally the third), and this will be the largest one to date. For comparison check out this year's numbers compared with last year.

Year	Schools	Student-Athletes	Entries	Heats
2024	196	3,775	5,519	212
2025	225	4,047	5,863	226

According to meet director and Dublin 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. As shared in a previous post, Coach Williams needs your prayers as he battles cancer. Your prayers are always appreciated and if you can kindly donate at this LINK to support him and his family, it will be greatly appreciated.

OK, now a bit of history regarding this meet for those of you attending the soon-to-be-world-famous Dublin Distance Fiesta (RIP Peter Brewer) for the first time. 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. 

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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 longtime Jesuit coach Walt Lange (over 50 years at Jesuit), in the following video. More on Coach Lange and his impressive team below.

Let's take a closer look at the "Sombrero" races

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Girls 4 x 800 

Meet Record - Campolindo - 9:31.93 ('24)

The defending champion Campolindo girls will be back to repeat as champions. This will be the first big meet for their team after multiple league meets. They will be challenged by Bay School, Menlo Atherton, Crystal Springs Uplands, and Branson.

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Boys 4 x 800 

Meet Record - Davis - 7:57.18 ('24)

The goal here for most teams is to break 8 minutes and if that happens, the meet record will be in danger. The Davis boys won last year and established the new standard for the meet. Host Dublin should be in the mix and are very capable of getting under the 8 minute mark. They will be challenged by Carlmont, St. Ignatius and Menlo Atherton.

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Girls 1600 

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

For those of you interested in more DDF history, here is a bit more regarding 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, thanks to COVID). In 2022, Del Oro senior Riley Chamberlain outran Montgomery's talented freshman Hanne Thomsen to set the new standard at 4:46.34. Chamberlain is now competing at BYU and was a key cog on their NCAA championship cross country team.

This Saturday, Thomsen, now a senior headed to Stanford University, will bypass this event focusing her efforts on the 800 and 3200. That leaves the field wide open with multiple runners capable of winning this event. 

The fastest personal best time belongs to Eleanor Raker of Galena, Nevada (Jason Bean/RGJ photo), who ran 4:51.81 and won last year's race in 4:54.26. Crystal Springs Uplands junior Anna Salter ran 4:53.63 at last year's CCS Top 8 meet. Other contenders include Norah Feldt of Davis (4:56.10),  Ani Stieg of Archie Williams (4:58.30 mile at St. Francis Invitational), Brenna Manion of Vista del Lago (4:57.07 at 2024 Sac MOC), Montgomery's Amrie Lacefield (4:57.44) and Ella Mogannam of Lick Wilmdering (4:58.12). A couple of wild cards are Lilly Montilla of Las Lomas and Monte Vista freshman Ava Padilla. 

Boys 1600

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

If you are looking for the most competitive race of the meet, look no further than the boys' 1600m. 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.

The fastest personal record in the field belongs to Crystal Springs Uplands senior Benjamin Bouie (Tina Pretre photo above with Landon Pretre at St. Francis Invitational). He ran 4:06.92 to win last year's CCS final breaking a 50 year old record for the section championship meet. Many of the top contenders are all very familiar with each other since they are all seniors hailing from schools in the Central Coast Section. Los Gatos senior Aydon Stefanopoulos has the 2nd fastest entry time at 4:08.01. Miles Cook of Sacred Heart Cathedral just ran 4:10.01 in the mile at Nike Indoor Nationals. Eli Fitchen-Young of Santa Cruz (4:11.16) and Landon Pretre of Menlo (4:12.61) now hold the two fastest time on the Crystal Springs cross country course. There will also be four Jesuit runners (Drake Hoferer, Kyle Jakary, Matthew Ogilvie and Navin Kadel) in the field following their NXN qualifying season in the fall.

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Girls 800

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

This race should be a duel between seniors Kylie Hoornaert of Prospect (2:08.48)and Hanne Thomsen of Montgomery (2:12.47). Hoornaert was the CCS champion last year and qualified for the state final where she finished in 7th place. Thomsen will be looking to sharpen her speed in her third best distance race. Senior Sabrina Zanetto of St. Francis, MV (2:10.35) has the 2nd fastest personal best in the field which she accomplished winning the CCS final as a sophomore. Monte Vista freshman Ava Padilla won the Dan Gabor Invitational 800 a few weeks ago with a season best time of 2:17.69. Los Altos junior Lily Symon ran her best time of 2:13. 88 finishing in 4th place at last year's CCS final. 

Boys 800

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

The meet record will be within striking distance with a couple of runners capable of dipping under that mark. Pleasant Valley senior Jackson Hein (DeAnna Turner/CAMileSplit photo) was a state finalist last year where he finished in 5th place with a new best time of 1:51.61. Jesuit sophomore Lucas Alberts has already opened up the season with a lifetime best time of 1:52.58 set while winning the Bronco Roundup Distance Carnival. Those two will be at the front looking to control the race and besting the field with a potential new meet record. A couple of other contenders include Carmel's Mack Aldi who has a best of 1:54.16 and was a state meet qualifier in 2024. Shadow Ridge, NV senior Justin Rawe has a best of 1:54.65 and an equally impressive mark in the 1600 at 4:13.50. Nevada Union senior Josh Griffin ran 1:54.18 last year and seems to be working his way back to fitness heading into this weekend.

Girls 3200

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

Montgomery senior Hanne Thomsen is the class of this field and will win going away provided she races here. She is one of the most successful distance runners in California history with multiple state championships and a best of 9:55.31 in this event. 

Galena, NV senior Eleanor Raker will be doubling back from the 1600 and looking to keep Thomsen in sight. Thomsen's teammates, Seelah Kittlestrom and Amrie Lacefield were quite a trio in Cross Country the past few seasons and will be looking to potentially sweep this event. 

Boys 3200

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

This used to be the main event for many years at past DDF meets. This year's race might not have the same depth as previous years but it's going to be another hotly contested race. Leading the way is De La Salle senior Trey Caldwell (photo above of Trey breaking the long standing Crystal Springs course record courtesy of Sean Laughlin) who has the fastest best at 8:53.69 set at last year's state final. Sonora senior Broen Holman will be making his season debut and has a best of 8:54.21. Santa Cruz senior Eli Fitchen-Young has a best of 8:57.13 and is coming off his best cross country season to date. Los Gatos senior Aydon Stefanopoulos and Dougherty Valley senior Arrin Sagiriju are the other sub 9 minute 3200 runners in the field. Jesuit junior Isaac Abbott will also be in the mix and his dad Scott will be announcing each race over the two day event.

Girls Distance Medley Relay

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

This race will feature some of the top distance programs in Northern California. The Campolindo girls, one of the top Division III cross country programs will be looking to make a statement here. St. Francis, MV, a Division II 2nd place finisher can match talent with most of the top programs in the state. The Whitney girls finished just 3 points behind St. Francis at the cross country state finals and will be another strong team here. The Bay School in San Francisco has dropped some fast relay times in the past few seasons and should not overlooked here.

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.

2024 SF University 12:48.02
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 and other race distances. Based on their depth, the Jesuit team (photo above courtesy of Jesuit HS) should be favored and could put together two contending teams in this field. Their main competition should be a familiar one in the Bellarmine boys. Their coach, Patrick McCrystle, actually ran at Jesuit HS in his HS days and always puts together competitive relay teams. Other contenders include Foothill, St. Francis, MV and potentially two Mountain View teams who had top finishes at the just concluded St. Francis Invitational.

MEET PROGRAM LINK

Lastly, a shout-out to West Coast XC, who will be covering the meet. Here is an interview with Coach Williams regarding the Dublin Distance Fiesta which you can find HERE.

West Coast EP15 Dublin Distance Fiesta Preview

Dublin Distance Fiesta Meet Preview

I will post a meet preview in the next few days. In the meantime, feel free to comment on anything DDF including what you think will be the race of the meet, potential winners of the sombrero heats and who will be some of the biggest surprises that will come out of the meet.

Here is the LINK to the meet program.

Stay tuned for the meet preview.

Prayers and support for Dublin HS coach Chris Williams

Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the GoFundMe for Coach Williams. It's very much appreciated!

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The following was shared by Dublin coach Chris Williams. For those of you who have attended the Dublin Distance Fiesta, Coach Williams has hosted one of the best meets in the nation, and during Covid, his Distance Fiesta was one of the first meets that allowed our athletes to compete once again in a normal meet. Coach Williams has also headed one of the top cross country and track and field programs in NorCal and helped raise the bar for many teams in our area. 

Prayers up for Coach Williams during this time. Feel free to share your support in the comment section below.

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To our entire Dublin Distance Fiesta community, schools, coaches, and student athletes, I am sorry to send you some tough news.  On Thursday, February 6, 2025 I was diagnosed with cancer.  My latest scan showed no spread which is good and we are being aggressive with the treatment so I am having surgery this Friday, February 21.

While I will still be directing the meet remotely during recovery, I am asking that you include Dublin High School's track & field acting head Anne Ha (haanne@dublinusd.org) and Shannon Sos of Diablo Timing (shannon@diablotiming.com) with any correspondence with me as they will be co-meet directors for DDF.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Chris Williams

Dublin Distance Fiesta Meet Director

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As you may have seen from an email yesterday, Dublin High School's head coach and Dublin Distance Fiesta Meet Director Chris Williams shared the devastating news that he has been recently diagnosed with cancer and will be requiring surgery to fight back against it. I spoke with Chris earlier today and he is BEYOND moved by the response and the number of calls, texts, and messages that he has received. Many have reached out and asked how they can help him and his family at such a difficult time. The Dublin High School Athletic Boosters have stepped forward and started a GoFundMe campaign to support Chris and his family at this time. If you have the means and want to help you can find a link to the campaign here. If there are any other ways to help Chris we will share that out with you as well. Thank you for keeping Chris and his family in your thoughts as he starts this fight.

Shannon Sos Diablo Timing

An open letter to the track and field community

From:

Ben Thomas – Virginia Tech Jerry Schumacher – Oregon

Beth Alford-Sullivan – Connecticut Kevin Sullivan – Michigan

Caryl Smith Gilbert- Georgia Leroy Burrell - Auburn

Chris Bucknam – Arkansas (Men) Mark Elliott – Clemson

Connie Price-Smith – Mississippi Maurica Powell – Washington

Dan Waters - Alabama Mick Byrne – Wisconsin

Dave Smith – Oklahoma State Shawn Wilbourn – Duke

Dennis Shaver – LSU Susan Seaton – Cincinnati

Ed Eyestone - BYU Vin Lananna - Virginia

Re: An Open Letter to the Track & Field Community

We are writing to you today to share a document. We trust that you will agree that we have a collective responsibility to remain vigilant for the future of NCAA Track/Field and Cross Country. We may not agree on every aspect of this document, however our inaction will be devastating for our sport.

Call to Action for Track and Field

Please circulate this message among your peers, colleagues, etc.

The landscape of collegiate athletics is shifting rapidly, and the future of track and field is at risk. Recent NCAA changes—such as eliminating scholarship limits, implementing roster size caps, and introducing revenue sharing—will have a profound impact on our sport. This is a critical moment, and we can no longer afford to be passive. If programs are eliminated, they won’t return. The NCAA v. House Settlement will mandate the NCAA and the Power 5 Conferences to pay settlement funds for a class of past athletes. In addition, the Power 5 Conference institutions will be required over the next ten years to share future revenues with current and future athletes. This will increase the cost base for all NCAA Division I athletic departments, leading to the likely elimination of entire sports programs in order to cut costs.

What’s at Stake:

Scholarships: While the elimination of NCAA-mandated scholarship limits offers flexibility to some programs, it risks reduced funding and potential cuts for Olympic sports like track and field. Without action, opportunities for student-athletes, particularly from underserved communities, could be drastically reduced. Although permitted under the settlement terms, collegiate track & field programs won’t likely see funding across institutions for the potential new limit of 45 scholarships for men and for women. In addition, conferences and institutions on their own may further reduce the number of athletes allowed to compete.

Roster Sizes: New rules limit cross-country rosters to 17 athletes and track and field to 45, with the option to fully or partially fund each. While some programs may thrive, others could be forced to make difficult cuts, diminishing opportunities for development and recruitment. This may also encourage programs to recruit only fully developed athletes internationally, potentially reducing access for U.S. athletes.

Budget Implications: The financial burden of these changes may require substantial increases in funding to sustain track and field programs. If we don't secure the necessary funding, scholarships, coaching positions, and facilities could be cut. Revenue sharing also pressures universities to direct additional funding to football and basketball.

Exposure: Collegiate track and field needs to evolve to be more television-friendly and engaging. The sport should be broadcast more than just two times per year for NCAA Championships in cross country and outdoor track and field. Without wider exposure, track and field will struggle to gain the recognition it deserves and increase its value.

The Consequences:

For every athlete who earns a college scholarship, wins an NCAA championship, or make an Olympic team, countless others pursue the same goal. Even those who didn’t reach the ultimate prize gain invaluable life experiences that lead to career success. Eliminating the Olympic pipeline and NCAA opportunities will disrupt youth and high school track and field, removing incentives for young athletes to pursue a sport that has proven to foster success in life.

If we fail to act, the consequences will be devastating. Many young athletes, especially from underserved communities, could lose access to educational opportunities. This will harm the U.S. pipeline of athletes, diminishing our edge at the Olympic Games and World Championships. Our medal count at the Olympic Games is likely at risk.

We cannot afford to let the system that has produced countless opportunities for student-athletes, Olympic champions and world-class athletes fall apart. The future of track and field, and the future of our athletes, depend on our collective action.

Track and field offers opportunities to many American student-athletes, particularly from black and brown communities. It is essential that we preserve these opportunities for the next generation.

Now is the Time to Act:

The clock is ticking. This is a critical moment for collegiate track and field, and we must take action to protect and preserve the sport. We need to mobilize, speak out, and change this downward trajectory. Whether it’s engaging with NCAA officials, advocating for fair funding, or creating innovative solutions for access, we must act now. It is alarming that NO major media outlet has broadcast this existential threat to these student-athlete opportunities and Olympic Movement.

We must find new sources of income—through philanthropy and media partnerships—to alleviate financial pressures on NCAA institutions. But time is running out.

How You Can Help:

1. Raise Awareness: Share this message with fellow coaches, athletes, administrators, media, and alumni. It’s crucial to get this story into mainstream media outlets and programs such as 60 Minutes and NBC Nightly News. Involve organizations like the USOPC, USA Track & Field, corporations, private philanthropy, and especially Congress. The more people who understand the stakes, the stronger our collective voice will be.

2. Advocate for Change: Contact conference commissioners, athletic directors, and NCAA leaders to make your voice heard. Emphasize the importance of track and field to the collegiate athletic landscape. Track and field represents opportunity for the largest populations in the country, including many international athletes. Track and Field is the sport of opportunity.

3. Support Track and Field Programs: Help local programs through financial support or mentorship. Every effort, no matter how small, counts.

4. Build Partnerships: Collaborate with other Olympic sports to create a unified front, ensuring that all sports receive the attention and resources they deserve.

5. Reinvent the Sport for Broader Exposure: Track and field must become a more consumable product and more television-friendly. By introducing innovative formats, enhancing athlete storytelling, and pushing for prime-time broadcasts, we can increase the sport's visibility and appeal to a wider audience.

Track and field is at a crossroads. We must act decisively, speak up for our athletes and sport, and ensure that future generations have the opportunity to compete and thrive in this incredible sport. The time to secure the future of collegiate track and field is now. Let’s rise to the challenge and protect the future of our sport.

NorCal results this weekend

Sacramento High School Classic
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2025/sshs/

Sunset Invitational at Kezar
https://www.rtspt.com/events/cif/2025Meets/sunset/compiled.pdf

Bronco Roundup Distance Carnival
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/566824/results/all

Gaucho Relays
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2025-boys-gaucho-relays/
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2025-girls-gaucho-relays/

Top NorCal marks in every Track and Field event to date

Boys

100-Julian Moncada Manteca 10.71
200-Deshawn Seymour Jr. Will C. Wood 21.95
400-Tim Edwards Pittsburg 48.43
800-Henry Witt Lowell 1:56.45
1600-Eli Fitchen-Young Santa Cruz 4:15.21
3200-Javin Schmitt St. Mary's College 9:18.20
110m Hurdles-Joshua Haven Bellarmine 14.44
300m Hurdles-Joshua Haven Bellarmine 38.72

400 Relay-Manteca 42.45
1600 Relay-St. Francis, MV 3:27.59
3200 Relay-Willow Glen 8:08.31

Long Jump-Noah Gonzalez Saint Ignatius 22'6.25"
Triple Jump-Cameron P. Jones Bishop O'Dowd 47'4"
High Jump-Quentin Mitchell Antelope 6'8"
Pole Vault-Ryan Auble Del Campo 16'0"
Shot Put-Evan Usher Woodside 57'2.5"
Discus-Benito Lara Golden Valley 182'1"

Girls

100-Madeline Zimmerman McClatchy 11.84
200-Sadie Sanders Montgomery 24.39
400-Eden Enoru Heritage 56.04
800-Josie Hill Technology 2:14.79
1600-Hanne Thomsen Montgomery 4:57.86
3200-Hanne Thomsen Montgomery 10:05.96
100m Hurdles-Shiloh Haliburton-Rudy Archbishop Mitty 14.92
300m Hurdles-Shiloh Haliburton-Rudy Archbishop Mitty 45.06

400 Relay-Pittsburg 47.72
1600 Relay-Pittsburg 4:00.91
3200 Relay-Oak Ridge 9:54.52

Long Jump-Kira Gant Hatcher St. Mary's College 18'11.75"
Triple Jump-Amaya DeFlorimonte Bishop O'Dowd 38'9"
High Jump-Fekei George St. Mary's, Stockton 5'4"
Pole Vault-Multiple vaulters at 11'0"
Shot Put-Zenallah Hatcher Simmons Del Campo 40'9"
Discus-Maya Ifo Desai Archbishop Mitty 142'8"

Live results for today

Dan Gabor Invitational
https://diablotiming.com/results/2025-03-01/

K-Bell Invitational
https://live.athletic.net/meets/44759?_gl=1*19x9171*_ga*Mjg5MjM4NzQ0LjE3MzU4NjAyMDg.*_ga_CV6QCFM8SJ*MTc0MDg1ODYxNi45LjEuMTc0MDg1ODc0NC4wLjAuMA..

Rustbuster Invitational
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2025/RustBuster_Monta%20Vista%20HS.htm

Big Cat
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/571010/results/all
These have photos.
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2025-boys-big-cat/
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2025-girls-big-cat/

Olympian Elite Throws Clinic

Please find information about the Olympian Elite Throws Clinic being offered at the new DVC throws facility on March 16.  This is an opportunity for your throws coaches and athletes to meet John Dagata and learn about the expertise and resources available through the Olympian Elite program.

For more info, check Link #1 and Link #2.