CCS Alumni Track and Field Records

You can check out those records, thanks to former College of San Mateo coach Joe Mangan, at the following link. If you spot any errors, please let me know by commenting below.

CCS Alumni Track and Field Records LINK (Updated)

Extra credit for those of you who can name the runner to the right.

Nikki Hiltz breaks MEET RECORD in 1500m at Trials; punches ticket to Par...

Campolindo '13 grad Rod Farvard finishes 2nd at Western States 100

Rod on the left in the photo finished in 2nd place with a time of 14:24:15. You can check out the results and description of the race at this link:
https://www.irunfar.com/2024-western-states-100-results

Catching up with former Livermore HS and Villanova runner, Becky Spies

Today we catch up with former Livermore HS and Villanova University runner Becky Spies. In HS, Spies posted bests of 2:07.25 and 4:45.11, which still stand as the 4th and 6th fastest times in NCS history, respectively, for the 800 and 1600. She was 2-time CA state champ in the 1600 in 1990 and 1991. In cross country, she finished in the top 10 at the state meet three times including two 2nd place finishes in 1989 and 1990. The photo on the right is from her junior year in high school, leading Deena Drossin from Agoura, who went on to Olympic marathoning success as Deena Kastor. At Villanova, Spies was a 4-time All-American runner, 9-time Big East champions and helped her team win multiple NCAA cross country team titles. She is one of only three Villanova individuals to be named a Rhodes Scholar and was inducted in the Villanova Hall of Fame. You can learn more about her in this Sports Illustrated spotlight LINK from 1995. Spies's son, Sebastien Swaine just completed his freshman season at Peidmont HS with bests of 1:57.07 and 4:18.58. 

1) How did you get your start in running? What other sports did you participate in aside from running? What were your track PRs going into HS? I come from a track family. My father ran at San Ramon High School. I have two older siblings who ran track (my sister Jessica ran mostly the 400 and 800m at Livermore, and my brother Brennan ran mostly the 400m at Bellarmine). My mom is, I think, also a stealth runner. Somehow I remember her beating me to most of the mile markers during cross country over the years! 

I played soccer mostly as a kid, but I ran CYO track starting in either 2nd or 3rd grade.  My brother was running CYO and he was my babysitter, so off to practice I went. I ran the 100m. I was not a sprinter. In 4th grade, I tried the 400m and 800m and found a bit more success at the longer distances (not last). By middle school, I was still physically small and too technically unskilled to keep playing competitive soccer. I did a few workouts with the high school track team at Livermore and with a club in San Jose but I developed a tibial stress fracture and did not run for at least 6 months right around the end of 7th/8th grade. I don't remember my times very well- I think I may have broken 230 or 240 in the 800 in middle school and I had not run very many 1500s.

2) What were some of your high school cross country highlights and proudest achievements? I had a really solid freshman year in NCS and had a pretty good run at State, but I was behind a lot of other freshmen in the nation at that time by a long way (think Melody Fairchild and Deena Drossin). My sophmore year I didn't run high school cross country. I was proudest of my junior year in cross country, where Deena Drossin and I were 1-2 at the State meet (she outkicked me in the final 250m at Woodward Park). I made the Kinney West team that year and finished 11th at Nationals. I was very excited to be running pretty well at that level. I went on that same year to run on the US Junior National World Cross Country team in Aix Les Bains, France,  and what could get better than that!  The actual race at Worlds wasn't my best but I was blown away to wear a US uniform and run in an international competition.

3) What were some of your high school track and field highlights and proudest achievements? I love the track. I loved to go down to Arcadia and Mt. Sac and run against some of the best national and southern California competitions. Of course, I really wanted to do well at the State meet, so those moments are seared into my memory. My big three that I look back on now are 1) my fight for 3rd in the 800 at State as a sophomore year (I actually kicked!), 2) winning the mile at State as a junior and 3) then winning the 1500m at US Jr Nationals as a senior in high school to compete at the Jr Pan American Games. Making a US team and traveling is FUN! :)

4) What do you remember about your high school training? What do you feel like really worked for you? What do you wish you did differently knowing what you know now? There are training logs somewhere, and my long-term memory is very fuzzy. I remember I ran low mileage (5 miles was a LONG run for me) but my interval workouts were pretty fast! I don't remember doing "tempo" pace work on the track as much, in the way programs do now at lactate threshold levels (at 10k to marathon pace).  My interval days gave me a lot of confidence that I could run fast- run the paces that my coach asked me to do. My coach, George Gilbert, was pretty knowledgeable at the time, though, and I think I was well-trained in high school and deliberately kept at a low mileage; I was fortunate to have a lot of success. The 'science' of training has advanced quite a bit in the last 30 years. I think if I could go back and change anything, I think I would still try to undertrain on the mileage side in high school (plenty of time to add mileage later in college/as you mature into the sport). I probably would focus on having a more holistic approach to the sport, spending more time on active stretching/activation exercises/calisthenics/yoga, nutrition, etc, and honestly spending more time on mental prep and visualization to help with transitions in competitions (moving from local high school to regional/national and international competitions). My coach/coaches tried to introduce some of that, but honestly I never fully developed those strong routines during my competitive years. 

5) You ran at Villanova. What led you to decide to attend Villanova and what other schools were also considered? Villanova has an incredible history (established success) on both the men's and women's sides. Also,  Villanova, as a University on the whole, championed the cross country and track teams. The women's team had an amazing group of female middle-distance runners (NCAA XC champions) there that I admired, and they were all hard workers. The team was small and intimate, they met for workouts and runs together basically every day, and, despite all of the individuals there pursuing their own successes, there was a strong sense of team unity and family. Coach "Uncle" Marty also seemed a good balance between humor and having fun. I can still remember him smiling and telling us to "watch out for the leaves" when we would head out for a tempo run in cross country or smiling and laughing and telling us to slow down as we ran intervals on the track.  With the teams he cultivated, no one needed to be told to pick up the pace and he knew that was not what we needed as athletes. So I guess I was attracted to that feeling of a running family and the high bar for success for the entire team balanced with just a touch of humor and ease.

For running, I looked very closely at Wisconsin as well as Arkansas and Oregon. At the time, these schools had great coaches, excellent teams, and traditions. Peter Tegen had recently graduated Suzy Favor at Wisconsin and I admired his coaching, Tom Heinonen had a tremendous reputation and of course (like Villanova) Oregon has a rich track/cross country history,  and Lance Harter had just moved from Cal Poly (so much success) to Arkansas and had a tremendously talented recruiting class from my year (Deena Drossin, Sarah Schwald, Nicole Teter to name a few). I looked at nondivision 1 programs too at the time, but the opportunity to earn a scholarship as the 3rd kid in my family was too big to overlook.

6) What was your transition like going from high school to college? When do you feel like you finally adjusted and started to race to your ability in college? I had a tough transition to college. A lot of people told me they thought kids from the west coast would not transition well to the East Coast (weather, culture), but that was not it. Looking back, I think the Jr Pan AM games were late in the summer, and I did not get a solid mileage base for cross country (especially since I came from a particularly low mileage high school base). I also caught mononucleosis at the end of that first semester, lost a lot of fitness, and just didn't recover quickly.  So my freshman year was a wash and I just didn't bounce back easily my sophomore year.  It took me more than a year to get back to a decent level of mental and physical fitness to compete, and I really did not start to feel like "my running self" again until my junior year of college.

7) What were some of your college highlights and proudest achievements? I was generally happy and proud of my junior year. I cannot name a specific race, and I don't think I really had any standout performances on the track, but I felt "good" running again, and it was fun! That felt like an achievement. I had never been to Penn Relays and could not possibly understand Villanova's special relationship to it until I was running there. It is special. I visited in the last few years and had a chance to walk along a long hallway dedicated to our Penn Relays wheels and some of my strongest memories of races come from those relays at Franklin Field being cheered on by that crowd- definite college career highlights to be able to anchor a winning Penn Relays team and these are some of my favorite photos from college. For any single race, I am probably most proud of my 3rd place at NCAAs in cross country my senior year, because of that special combination of team and individual success. Don't get me wrong! I absolutely love the track- and would much rather lace up for a mile than a 5K!   However, I don't think anyone was betting I would be in the top 3 that year in cross country, and there was even some talk that Arkansas would break our team title streak, so that day/performance my senior year felt particularly sweet.

8) Did you compete post collegiately? If so, what did you do? I did compete post collegiately- it started out as for fun. I was in Oxford for two years after college, so I joined the Oxford University track and cross country team (an entirely different system there) and the British Miler's club! I was mostly training myself at first. Eventually, I met the famous and lovely Bruce Tulloh and his even lovelier wife, Sue. "Barefoot Bruce" was coaching my former teammate Nnenna Lynch, also a Rhodes scholar and he invited me to train with them. I felt pretty good running cross country but I was sluggish on the track and had a few health issues while trying to finish up my master's thesis. I headed back to California and medical school at UCSF after two years and was very fortunate to have John Evans (at New Balance in Boston) agree to coach me from afar, but he was probably frustrated at my lack of full-time commitment to professional running. For me, it was hard to balance training and medical school! I did not have a training group, though I was fortunate to have a friend (Polly Plummer St. Geme), former high school teammate Ahmik Jones (who was also at UCSF med school), and a boyfriend to run with from time to time! I ran some road races, ran on some US Ekiden teams (which were a blast) and I was able to run the short course World Cross Country championships in 1999. Ultimately I wanted to run in the Trials on the track (childhood dream) and I was happy to qualify for and compete in the 2000 Olympic Trials in the 1500m, but I knew I could not compete at the level I wanted to without taking time away from my medicine and I chose not to do that. 

9) Who are the coaches that had the biggest impact on you as a runner before, during and after high school? What were your biggest lessons from them?

Barney Stocking (I believe he coached at Amador Valley High later). As my CYO coach, he made track fun for me as a little kid and opened my eyes to the sport.

George Gilbert, my coach during high school, is talented and just crazy enough to take me on, a stubborn teenager that I was! He had the biggest impact on me as a runner. You grow up with your high school coaches, literally, and he gave me the confidence to think of myself as a competitor on a bigger stage. 

We had some amazing coaches at Villanova. Marty Stern was my main coach, followed by Villanova alum John Marshall (800m Olympian in '84), and current head coach and former Villanova legend Gina Procaccio came on as a graduate assistant when I was there. Marty taught me control- not to overwork. We ran together, as a team, 2 x 2 on the track, controlled. I only had a year with John, but he helped me begin to think of myself on a higher level again. And Gina Procaccio is pure grit! She is a straight shooter and she expected toughness.

Now, when I can, I run with Laura Schmitt at her Thoroughbred club and studio. Laura is a valuable friend and highly successful coach of Redwood High School fame for many years. Laura is trying to teach me to run under the more current training philosophies... and I love to constantly ask her what "tempo" is and then push the pace! We have so much fun in her training group and I am so happy to be doing tempo work on the track after many years away from it. She exudes positivity,  love, and the pure joy of running, and I try to hold onto that. 

10) Your sister Jessica still holds the NCS record in the 800. What was her impact on your running career and what did you learn from her? My sister is 9 years older. She was my idol! and always will be. I chased her through time but just could not catch up. Unfortunately, she stopped running in college but she is so talented. We became close when I was in college and she was just so supportive of my running. I learned to be grateful to keep going from her when I was having periods of setbacks during and after college.  And now my son likes to tease me when he hears her name announced with track records at meets and not mine! ;)

11) You are now back in the high school scene with your son competing as a freshman. How has cross country remained the same and what are some of the changes you notice from your high school days? It has been quite a few years- so again my memories are pretty fuzzy of high school cross country! Well, I do know the course at Woodward Park has not changed! that and the consistent exuberance of kids in their first mile of a cross country race! The first rather superficial thing that struck me coming back was how participation seems healthy! It is impressive to see invitationals with thousands of runners there, and I am happy to see many kids out there in the sport. I find the depth of talent on both sides now to be so deep now- and certainly the times are impressive.

12) What advice would you give a talented high school girl with aspirations of competing in college and beyond? Take your time. It is great to run fast in the early season but remember you want to run fast at the end of the season, and you do not have to find all of your success in one season. Give yourself time to build consistency in your training and life. For most serious college athletes and professional runners, their careers are built over more than a decade!  You can rush yourself into injuries and illnesses. Do the daily, incremental work and stay dedicated to your goals.  Watch the professionals run. Like any sport, you can learn from their races and tactics. Use races and workouts to practice different things- can you go out fast and hold? Can you go out slower and kick? Can you practice surging?

From my time in the sport (from pre-high school to beyond), I saw the most success from women who cultivated their love of running and persevered through bumps in the road, avoiding defining success by just the podium or a clock. Those successes come, but they are byproducts of a love of and dedication to the sport. 

Thank you very much for your time, Becky. AC

CCS Videos posted

Thanks to Chris Althouse
https://www.youtube.com/@dutchessofmilpitas/videos

Updated NorCal Section Meets

NCS MOC Semis Results
https://diablotiming.com/results/2024-05-17/

CCS Finals Program
https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/q/x/p9jkt0zwezhenm/Track_Program_2024.pdf

SJS Finals
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/sjsmasters/

NS Finals Results
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/521623/results/all

OAK Finals Results
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/550983/results/all

SF Finals
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/546972/results/all

PROFILE: How 2012 Olympian Diego Estrada Resurrected a Pro Running Career That for Years Had Been ‘In The Gutter’

https://flagstaffrunningnews.com/featured-post/profile-how-ex-olympian-diego-estrada-resurrected-a-pro-running-career-that-for-years-had-been-in-the-gutter/

NorCal Section Finals info

Feel free to comment on any of the sections and/or events you think will be outstanding this coming weekend. What will be the most competitive events? What NorCal athletes will be favored to finish well at the state meet? Who are the athletes that are ready for breakthrough performances?

North Coast Section Entries
https://diablotiming.com/results/2024-05-17/

Central Coast Section Entries
Running Events: https://live.athletic.net/meets/37560
Field Events: https://live.athletic.net/meets/37560

Sac Joaquin Section Entries
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/sjsmasters/

San Francisco Section Entries
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-KcVrzkQjUHQQyUtSx1p3TjXp9z2Rmfk/view

Oakland Section Entries
TBA

Northern Section Entries
https://storage.googleapis.com/anet_user_files/meet/tf/521623/CIF_Northern_Section_Finals_Qualifiers.pdf

NorCal Section Meet information

CCS
Heat Sheets and Live Scoring
https://live.athletic.net/meets/37560
Performance Lists
https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/x/9/w1vd78a3857g60/CCS_TF_Semis_performance_list.pdf
4 x 800 relays (girls and boys)
https://d2o2figo6ddd0g.cloudfront.net/u/j/wk789c1336aypf/4x800_relays.pdf

NCS
Performance Lists
Tri-Valley
https://diablotiming.com/results/384/
Redwood Empire
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/621772-ncs-redwood-empire-area-championships-2024/entries/1046475
Bayshore
https://diablotiming.com/results/391/
Class A
https://live.adkinstrakwest.com/meets/37319 (https://live.adkinstrakwest.com/meets/37319)

SJS
Division I
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/sjsd1/
Division II
At Bella Vista HS on Friday, May 10
Division III
At Vacaville HS on Tuesday, May 7
Division IV/V
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/sjsd45/

SF
All-City Championship May 11 and May 18

OAK
Section Finals May 15/16

NS
Northern Section Division I final at TBA
Northern Section Division II final at Yreka HS on Thursday, May 9
Northern Section Division III final at West Valley HS on Wednesday, May 8

NorCal League Results

We have started league championship season. Here are some results which I have been able to find online. Feel free to add other links in the comment section below.

CCS
Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) 
https://www.rtspt.com/events/cif/2024Meets/pal/compiled.pdf
SCVAL ECL Trials
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/ecl_tr.htm
SCVAL DAL Trials
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/dal_tr.htm
SCVAL Qualifier
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/SCVAL%20Qualifier_Santa%20Clara%20HS.htm
WCAL Trials
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/554465/results
PCAL Gavilan Finals
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/521263/results/all
MHAL Trials/Finals
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/558257/results/all
WBAL Trials and Finals
https://www.rtspt.com/events/cif/2024Meets/wbal/compiled.pdf
DAL Finals
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/dal_res.htm
ECL Finals
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/ecl_res.htm

NCS
NBL
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2024-boys-nbl-track-field-finals/
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2024-girls-nbl-track-field-finals/
WACC Finals Day 1
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/520987/results/all
WACC
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/520987/results/all
DAL
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/526583/results/all
Bay Area Conference
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/525624/results/all

NCS Tri-Valley Results here: https://www.diablotiming.com/results/384/
NCS Bayshore Results here: https://www.diablotiming.com/results/391/

SJS
Delta League Varsity and FS Trials
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/522100/results/all
Sierra Foothill League (SFL)
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/sfl/

SF

NS

OAK
Clash of the Titans Results (Invitational)
https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/520303/results/all

5 Star High Jump Camp at St. Mary's College High School on June 13th and 14th

If you are a high jumper and would like to take your event to the next level, this is the high jump camp for you. It's run by St. Mary's College HS coach Jeff Rogers who is still the Cal Berkeley high jump record holder at 7'5.75" set in 1990.

You can find all the info for this camp at this LINK. The camp website can be found at this LINK.

The camp is limited to the first 10-12 high jumpers so don't wait to sign up.

Wed. Apr 24 - Stanford FASTR session HS girls' runner health

The following was shared by Menlo Atherton coach Andy Pflaum. Please help pass the word.

Hi coaches, a reminder that tomorrow, Wed. Apr 24 at 6:30-7:30pm is the free session that Stanford's FASTR program for women athletes is hosting on high school girls' runner health, including nutrition, bone health, iron, and other key topics.

High school girl runners, their parents and coaches can attend in person at 453 Quarry Road, Stanford (the Stanford Center for Academic Medicine), or via Zoom.

More info on the session is below and registration is available here. We hope you'll join us in person or on line!

CCS Top 8 Meet Videos

Thanks to Milpitas parent Chris Althouse, you can check out videos from the CCS Meet 8 at the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/@dutchessofmilpitas/videos

Invitational Results

CCS Top 8 Meet
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/43rd%20Annual%20CCS%20Top%208_Los%20Gatos%20HS.htm 

Sacramento Meet of Champions
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/smoc/

It's Always Sunny in Union City
https://diablotiming.com/results/2024-04-20/results.pdf

Viking Classic
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2024-boys-viking-classic/
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/2024-girls-viking-classic/

Mt. SAC Invitational
https://finishedresults.trackscoreboard.com/meets/11853/events

Feel free to comment on any outstanding performances from the meets above. 

The Marin Mile

Join us at the inaugural Marin Mile— a festival of miles I’m putting on at Archie Williams High School on June 1st, 2024.

Inclusive of all levels and all ages, the Marin Mile welcomes anyone who wants to run or race a mile with their peers. 

As this event is electronically timed and USATF sanctioned it serves as a great opportunity for high school distance runners to get a last chance race to share with college coaches or to better their personal bests one last time!

We wanted to make sure all Bay Area HS distance runners were aware of this race opportunity if they want to take one last shot at a PR or run a full mile on an outdoor track! 

Sign up TODAY at https://themarinmile.com

Brody Barkan
Sir Francis Drake 2015 grad

Former Stanford University and pro runner Lauren Fleshman speaking on Thursday, May 2nd

Between now and April 20 (EXTENDED), if you use code +STUDENT, we will include a youth registration along with every adult registration purchased.  Also, the first 50 registrants receive a free paperback copy of Lauren’s book, and we have just a few more spots left on that promo.  

We will again have a sweet raffle onsite, including:

• NormatecGo travel compression sleeves

• Race Entries to sought-after races CIM and Napa Marathon / Half

• A chance to go for a run with Lauren the following day (Friday 5/3)

• Tracksmith prize pack

• 3 months of coaching from Dena (new clients only)

• Hettas shoes/sweatshirt 

• Bronze level blood test from Athlete Blood Test

• more to come —- ARM gift card???

Happy to answer any questions, and our link is pdcbyb3.Eventbrite.com.  The event is in Saratoga on Thursday, May 2. 

If you have any questions about the event, please email Dena Evans at peninsuladistanceclub@gmail.com.

CCS Top 8 Meet this Saturday

The best section preview track and field meet in California is this Saturday at Los Gatos HS.

You can check out the performance lists at this link. Heats will be posted on Thursday.
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/t8_list.htm

Time Schedule:
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/t8_time.pdf

What will be the most competitive events? Who are going to be the surprise winners? 

Invitational results

Santa Rosa Twilight
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/boys-santa-rosa-twilight-invitational-2/
https://redwoodempirerunning.com/girls-santa-rosa-twilight-invitational-2/

Granada Distance and Sprint Festival
https://diablotiming.com/results/2024-04-13/

CCS Last Chance Meet (Meet Pictures)
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2024/3rd%20Annual%20CCS%20Last%20Chance_Mt%20View%20HS.htm

Thunder Invitational
https://timerhub.com/get_web_index.php?page=redcaptiming.com/2024/thunder/

West Coast Relays
https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/568721-west-coast-relays-2024/results

Catching up former Jesuit great, Pedro Reyes

Today we catch up with one of the all-time great distance runners in California, 1980 Jesuit HS graduate, Pedro Reyes. Jesuit has had a remarkable group of distance runners that included 8 boys who have run under 4:10 for the 1600 (They have also had 8 boys who have dipped under the 9 minute mark in the 3200 which is a national record). In the 1600, Reyes still stands as the 4th fastest runner in school history with his converted 4:04.58. He trails only Olympian Michael Stember (4:04.00) and the Mastalir twins (Mark-4:04.15 and Eric-4:04.23). As a senior, Reyes finished 2nd in the 1600 running 4:06.52 losing to only Castro Valley runner Larry Guinee (results linked below). Jesuit has been led for more than 50 years (to this day) by Coach Walt Lange and you can check out my interview with Coach Lange at this LINK. 

1) Before high school, what was your athletic experience?
Beginning around fifth grade I shadowed my brother, Jose, who is one class ahead of me. I followed Jose to football, basketball, and, later, track practice. Jose is a good sport and a great older brother.

Did you do any running?
I ran hurdles, long-jumped, and ran in both short and long relays. Jose won every race and anchored every relay.

How did you end up attending Jesuit HS?
During eighth-grade, quiet reading time, Mrs Higgins asked me, “Have you thought about what you want to do with your life?” I confessed that I hadn’t thought beyond basketball practice and homework due the next day. We chatted a bit and Mrs Higgins, to whom I owe an immense debt of gratitude, directed me to take the acceptance test for Jesuit that Saturday. I took the test, was later accepted, and was excited to start at Jesuit that next fall. At the time, I wanted nothing more than to wear one of those snappy red blazers with the school crest on the chest which the Varsity Basketball player wore to school on game days. Was a very Bobby Knight kind of culture/environment.

2) Tell us a little about your freshman experience on the cross country and track and field teams.
My freshman year I played football, competing for time at quarterback. After basketball season ended, I joined the track team late, in the week of the first dual meet. I was assigned the ugly grey sweats which we were required to wear at meets, though I really wanted the cool red sweats. “Who gets the cool red sweats? What do I need to do?” Get on the All-Time Top 10 board. After that first dual meet, I asked, “Red sweats, please. Thank you”

What did you learn?
As a freshman, I learned that I sucked at the hurdles.

For two years I ran in the group called “Riff Raff” because I/they didn’t fit into the sprinters, distance, or field groups. So I ran 440s and 880s and long relays.

I really enjoyed every practice, two-mile warmup, where we left campus and ran a bit through the American River bike trail, then back through the gate and looped around the large field, then around the inside of the track on the grass. I felt liberated running around the grass field and enjoyed the freedom to navigate however around the major monuments and skip around on the infield.

After two years with the Riff Raff, Coach Lehman passed me to the Guru, Coach Walt Lange, who coached and still coaches the distance hooligans.

Who were the mentors on your team?
Before my first cross country season, Coach Lange assigned Peter McCarry to train me over the summer. Peter was everything that I was not, at the time: disciplined, patient, and he had a car. We ran together nearly every day that summer and went to a bunch of road races and fun runs. Peter was a great example for me. During the year, I met nearly every day with John Lindeman and Jon Hilligiest and we ran together and laughed a whole lot of that time.

3) Where do you feel like you made the biggest jump in high school and what do you think contributed to that jump?
I ran track with Walt Lange for only two years, both Junior and Senior years.

As a Junior, after a couple of dual meet miles, I anchored a DM, grabbing the baton in a far back second place, opened in 2:06, and kept turning left to run about 4:18 in about my third mile race, albeit a relay leg. Coach told the gaggle of teammates chattering about 2:06 that, “At State Meet, they open in 2:06 and then they pick it up.” That sowed a seed that blossomed in Ceres a few weeks later where I followed NorCal heroes Tom Downs and Steve Strangio (Matthew’s father) and kicked in with my eyes closed to run 4:11.8 on dirt for a full mile. Coach Lange sat us down in a buffet before the long ride home and said, “Things are going to be different from now on.”

What contributed to that jump was the uninterrupted training from the prior June. That was the first summer and winter focused on distance running training and not on basketball.

4) What do you remember about your high school training?
The training with Walt Lange was very structured and totally transparent. Very early, Coach Lange shared a couple of resources with all of the runners: Running the Lydiard Way, by Arthur Lydiard, and Running Trax, Jerry Purdy’s approach to training and accompanying computer-generated pacing tables for workouts and races. Coach Lange challenged every runner, regardless of class or experience to run every day and to log 1000 miles over the summer in advance of cross country season.

Like every other runner on the Jesuit team, I enjoyed the off-site workouts in the Folsom hills, the Tarshes Drive runs in Ancil Hoffman Park, and the long efforts across the bridge over the Sacramento River and up Pennsylvania Avenue. The effort necessary to traverse Pennsylvania was very similar to that at the end of a competitive 800, mile, or two mile. And it was very, very fun.

What would a typical week look like for you?
Coach Lange challenged everyone to build toward a Sunday run of between 8 and 18 miles. Off-season was limited to steady runs of about 10 miles with fun runs or low-key races every now and then. Early track season was focused on repetitions of 400s, 800s, or 1320s. Everybody did the same workouts but each person had a personalized target for the number of efforts and times.

The workouts for the last month of my senior were exactly the same:
Monday: long Pennsylvania runs (3) then 6-8 times one minute with one jog recovery
Tuesday: 6-8 miles or so (was a long time ago) and 4-8 x 100m strides in spikes
Wednesday: 6-8 x 300 in about 41 with 2-3 minutes jog recovery; 4 x 165 (fast, float, fast) with 55 jog
Thursday: same as Tuesday
Friday: Competition
Saturday: Competition
Sunday: 8-18 miles

Any morning runs?
I usually ran around 25-30 minutes most mornings, or MWF if I recall correctly.

Length of longest runs?
Up to 18 miles on Sunday.

Any strength work?
I didn’t do any work with weights. I just ran every day.

5) Walt Lange has been at Jesuit HS for over fifty years with a lot of success. What made Coach Lange such a great coach for you, the rest of your teammates, and the runners he coaches today?
Coach Walt Lange is an incredible person. When I was beginning to run, Walt ran with the team. In the off-season, the lads convened with Walt and a slew of young professionals, both men and women, who enjoyed the camaraderie and process of training for a specific goal. During the “running boom,” lots of people ended their hot summer day by kicking up some dust at Harry Renfree Field or Ancil Hoffman Park or at the Guy West Bridge next to Sac State. It was a glorious time and I respected and admired so many adults who helped me to find my way through young adulthood.

Walt challenged every young person to establish goals and to work towards achieving those goals. He sought/seeks to develop young persons into self-directed adults who can manage their own training, without needing a coach. He respects each competitor regardless of the colors they wear.

6) What are the races do you remember the most when you reflect on your high school running experience?
It occurred to me that one didn’t need to run particularly fast to run fast times, you just couldn’t run any slow laps. For example, 61.5 isn’t particularly fast for a single 440, that’s no big deal. But if you could run four of ‘em, weeeeell that’d be pretty special. When Golden West was an annual destination for High School Track & Field, I watched John Gregorek do exactly that and Vince Draddy do exactly the same the next year on their way to the fastest miles of those years. Alan Sharsu and Jim Hill did the same in the two-mile. They didn’t run any one lap particularly fast, but they also didn’t run any slow laps.

Shawn O'Neal sent this to me a few years ago: Mike Parkinson, Steve Fairman, Mike Serna, Rob Leetch, Shawn O'Neal, Pedro Reyes, and Larry Guinee.

Who were the competitors that stood out to you?
When I was learning to run, Tom Downs and Steve Strangio stood head and shoulders above everyone in every race I was in or meet in which I attended. When I finally followed them closely enough, I found that they both ran with a relaxed gait and a steady tempo which I could mimic and found comfortable. That was a huge lesson for me.

Larry Guinee won the California State Meet 1600m by making the race his own. He and I followed way in the back while the front went out at some inhuman pace until about 500 to go when Larry exploded and demoralized everyone in that race with an incredible burst. He floored it for 200 or so then survived to win by a very small margin. But he won the race and Larry is in the books: California State Meet Champion. Years later, another Jesuit Marauder, Michael Stember used the same tactic, although in a much slower paced race, to begin his legendary run in the California State Meet

Proudest accomplishments?
I was happy to improve from about 4:10 to about 4:06 (for 1600) at State Meet. But not satisfied. At the time, high schoolers had relatively few competitive opportunities. One of them was the Golden West Invitational, in my hometown (que coincidencia!). The morning after the California State Meet, I got the nice invitation to run, thank you very much. And we did another week of the same workouts. But I was really tired from the multiple competitive simulations for the State Meet: race on Friday, then also race on Saturday. Friday in the foothills, Saturday in San Jose; Friday in San Jose, Saturday in Arcadia; Friday 2 mile at Bella Vista, would you like to race in Ceres with Gary Gonzales? No, thank you.

But I willed myself through an extra long warmup, did probably 16 strides to get my body moving forward, and was rewarded with … an early modest paced race. John Zishka had clobbered the, then, High School record over 5k and he started out running completely by himself, opening in about 60 or so. The rest of the field, including 10 different State Meet Champions ran 31, 62, 1:33. Cool. I did my best to stay in lane one and leapfrogged one or two here, then one or two there, and found myself putting the pedal to the metal and in front with 350 to go. We skipped along the back straight then Zishka popped up beside me and we traded strides, for about three strides and he trotted away to break Jim Ryan’s meet record. I had run my fastest race ever on a day on which I would have rather been watching from the stands, I would’ve enjoyed watching, and would’ve been yelling for them all.

The next week I ran a lousy 4:11 mile in Chicago and then that was it. The taper had expired and it was time to begin again, to start all over, running steady runs.

It was a fabulous experience.

Results from the 1980 California State Meet: 
https://lynbrooksports.prepcaltrack.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/1980/stateres.htm
wow.  they've misspelled my name!

7) Where did you go to college?
I followed a teammate to UC Irvine, where I met Mrs Reyes. Engineering and I were not particularly good to each other and I came home to continue at Sacramento State, in my hometown.

What was your running experience in college?
I came to Irvine with mononucleosis and soon learned I was a bit maladapted for running, and nursed one significant malady after another. Ran about as well as a freshman as a high school senior, but didn’t really adapt to the different competitive calendars. I met some wonderful people and cheered for some great competitors.

8) Bellarmine coach and former Jesuit runner Patrick McCrystle mentions that you were influential in his transition to distance running which changed his career path. What made you think he would be a good distance runner?
I count myself fortunate to know Patrick McCrystle. Patrick was a wee lad (hard to imagine, I know) when Walt brought a Distance Medley to Arcadia in 1980. On Friday night, I followed Larry Guinee until the last 200 in San Jose to win the Bruce Jenner Invitational. Was two hours plus back to Sacramento and the next morning Walt and our DM, including Patrick, flew to Arcadia. Patrick was an excitable bundle of energy. Patrick was a real treat and he reminded me and the others of the joy of new experiences and the special opportunity which we were given then. We didn’t win, but we sure enjoyed ourselves and the experience.

Since then, Patrick has been an incredible influence on the young men at Bellarmine Prep. It is a joy to see young men support each other while they strive to combine athletics and academics. Patrick shared with me, recently at the Dublin Distance Fiesta, how he reminds his charges that they remember that time when they achieved that goal which they had not believed achievable and that they take that experience with them and apply that experience in their lives when they meet the inevitable adversities which we all come up against.

Patrick developed into a great runner while I was away at Irvine. Jose periodically reported on Patrick’s fine running. Jose was number one in the Patrick McCrystle Fan Club. After classes concluded at Irvine, I raced back to Sacramento to watch Patrick’s turn to compete at the Golden West Invitational. Patrick ran really well that day in a pair of my track shoes which Jose and given to Patrick.

9) From high school:
Favorite cross country course? Crystle Springs.
Favorite cross country invitational? Del Oro Invitational, where we beat Mira Loma.
Favorite cross country workout? 3X one mile at Ancil Hoffman Park on the grass.
Favorite track event? 1500/mile
Favorite track invitational? Golden West Invitational Favorite track workout? 3 x 880
Favorite long run? American River Bike Trail about 18 miles round trip
Favorite free time activity? Watching Olympics or World Championships with John, Jon, Dave, and Chris.

10) What are the biggest differences that you see from the time you competed in cross country and track and field to what you see now?
To me it seems that the current athletes are so much better prepared to compete, both early and late. At one point, I was concerned that athletes had so few opportunities to compete, both at the highest levels and at the less to high levels. But both the distance fiestas/festivals and high-level competitions have flourished recently and I have so many more opportunities to watch student athletes test themselves.

 Improved communication (internet) has inspired nearly limitless ambitions and aspirations.

What do you feel are advantages and what do you feel was better in your day?
Long ago, Walt Lange told me/re-minded me of a story which he would tell at coaching clinics. Coach Lange arrived at my house before driving to Berkeley for the California State Meet. My dad was in the garage, working on his truck. He was probably rebuilding the engine because the block had cracked when Jose and I drove the truck to a track meet without any oil in the thing.

My dad waved and said hello and “Have a good run,” and we drove off to the California State Meet.

Years ago, parents allowed their children to own their experiences and skills development. My parents did not project their ambitions on me and they did not tell me what to do or how to do it.

Parents today, even a couple decades ago, are now so much more involved and invested in their child’s experiences and development. Good on them, I’ve met some wonderful parents and some great kids. The world is their oyster. I used to think high school was the best time of my life. I know now that today’s kids will have many more challenges and will, likely, transcend each of those challenges. Because they have set near and far goals and they have all the tools necessary to reach them.

What would you have done differently knowing what you know now?
I wouldn’t change a thing. I was incredibly blessed to have fallen into a supportive environment, with so many wonderful people who helped me along the path from pup to young adult.

11) What would be your advice for a young and upcoming talented runner today?
Have patience. You have the tools. Run every day.

12) Anything else you would like to add.
I owe much to the many adults who guided me early and kept me from getting into too much trouble. At St Philomene’s School, we were blessed to have coaches who loved athletics and shared that love in a way that emphasized developing skills. Winning was not the focus, but we invariably won many more games than not.

When Dean Higgs mentioned Connie Hawkins “Foul!” I read that book. When Jon Kaempfer mentioned “I Am Third,” I read that book.

That environment was rich for the development of young athletes. In my class alone, one classmate was a champion, all-natural bodybuilder (Skip LaCour). Another classmate broke the state record for bases stolen (Tony Padilla). Another classmate passed a love of baseball to two major league baseball playing sons. I’m probably forgetting others.

My classmates at Jesuit were precocious athletes. My freshman classmates included three or four age group All American swimmers. Another classmate was a champion golfer.

A few classes ahead of me, three cross country runners were accepted and, ultimately graduated from Stanford. Three scrawny kids on the same cross country team, in the same class! Two broke 30 minutes for 10k on the track in the very same race in 1977.

Fast 800s at league meet

Shared by Jim Crowhurst

We had an amazing dual meet 800.

Freshman wins in 1:56.49

Second place at 1:57.32 was the first time the boy ran the race and 1:58.64 took third.

https://redwoodempirerunning.com/4-10-meets-2/