Footlocker Cross Country National Championship

2008 Footlocker Cross Country Championships Link

Catching up with former Barstow runner, Anthony Solis...

Today we chat with former Barstow and current Chico State runner, Anthony Solis. Barstow won their fourth straight state championship this year running their championship total to six. Three of those championships were with Solis as one of the key cogs on one of the best teams in the history of CA cross country. The coach in charge of all the success, Jim Duarte, just recently retired so I asked Anthony to tell us a bit about his HS coach. Solis is now continuing his running at Chico State, one of the best division II distance schools in the nation. The picture on the left is during the 2007 CIF-SS prelims as Solis gives the thumbs up following poop out hill.

1) How did you get your start in distance running?
Well what got me started was my dad who ran a 15:00 at Mt.Sac in the early 80's in high school and I always like to be the better one in the family at everything. So my freshman year I went out for the xc team at Barstow and just enjoyed the atmosphere that I was around.

2) Did you know about the quality of the Barstow Cross Country team before you attended the school?

When I first moved to Barstow at the end of 8th grade I had no idea that the team has had the tradition that they've had(i.e. winning state in 2001 &2002) before I actually was on the team.

3) When did you start to feel like you belonged with some of the top runners in the state during HS?

I actually started my sophmore year just dreaming up to be the top guy at state my senior year. I steadily moved taking 86th my sophmore year, 17th my junior year and then 3rd my senior year in Div.3 I didn't actually believe it till my junior winter training when Coach Duarte gave me a lecture about how next year I was the leader.

4) Why do you think Coach Duarte was so successful during his time at Barstow?

I just think that he related well with his athletes. He was a great Coach who wanted each and every one of his athletes to sacrifice things to make themselves and the team better. And you know what it actually worked bcause our team has sacrificed so many things for Barstow Xc to be how they've been. I'm just thankful that I was able to be coached by Duarte.

5) What did a typical week look like for you in high school during your senior season?

During my senior summer I averaged between 55 and 65 miles a week where I hit one 80 mile week which mmade me feel as strong as I've ever been. Thenn I maintained like 55-60 miles all the way until CIF prelims where I went down to about 45 then went down a little more for finals and State.

6) Why do you think Barstow peaked so well during the most important meets at the end of the season?

Duarte taught us to never really race all-out at an invite or at a dual meet. We always raced in our training shoes until CIF-SS Finals where we "busted" out our flats and really started to race.

7) Looking back at your high school career, what accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?

The thing I'm most proud of is being a part of 3 State Championship teams and leading Barstow to it my senior year(2007). I say that made me way more proud than being Individual CIF-SS champ in Cross Country and the 3200m my senior year because I had teammates who were there to celebrate with.

8) What workouts did you do during cross country that helped you excel as a runner in HS?

I would have to say my long runs on Sundays are what got me to excel the most in HS because they made me feel physically and mentally stronger than the previous week.

9) Any similarities between the Barstow team and the Chico team?

There are a few similarities. First I would have to say that both my Barstow and Chico teams are all really close to each other and all good friends. Second would be that in Barstow I did high mileage for an aveage high schooler so that helped me adjust to Chico's mileage program. Last I would have to say that I had a great Coach under Duarte and now I'm under another great Coach with Gary Towne.

10) Now that you have run for a few months in college, what could you have done differently in high school to help ease your transition into college?

Well I could've actually got serious my freshman, sophomore, or junior year to make my senior year even more exciting than it already was for me. I never really trained hard until senior summer when I actually wanted to train to be remembered.

11) What would be your advice to any high school runner who has dreams of being among the best runners in CA?

I would just have to say don't doubt yyourself at any time because that can make the difference of you actually putting everything you have into it and just being just another average runner out there who just wants to qualify to the state meet and not actually dream of winning it. So just set goals for yourself and train hard and you'll find out that it all pays off in the end.

12) Anything else you would like to add.

I would just like to say thanks for this interview and to everyone out there go buy the new Kanye West 808's & Heartbreaks cd....that's another thing that motivates me is Kanye's music.

Thank you very much Anthony. AJC.

Footlocker interviews with greats from the past (and present)...

The first interview is with former San Mateo HS, U. of Arizona and 1996 Olympian in the 5000m., Matt Giusto. He was the winner of the 1993 Kinney (before it became Footlocker) national championship race in San Diego. Giusto had finished 3rd at the Western Regional and upset several of the favorites to win the title. On a side note, I was a freshman in the same league (not caliber of runner believe me) as Giusto when he was a senior and I am sure he lapped me a few times in the 3200 . I can say I only got lapped by the best!
Q&A with Matt Giusto

The second interview is with the original Jordan Hasay, former Santa Rosa HS and Stanford runner Julia Stamps. The reason I compare her to Jordan Hasay is because Stamps was also a dominant runner in the middle school who continued her spectacular running in high school. She was also the one to beat in any race she entered.
Q&A with Julia (Stamps) Mallon

The third runner interviewed is Sara (Bei) Hall who is still competing at a very high level to this day. She ran at Montgomery HS and yet another Jordan Hasay comparison, she is the only runner in CA state history to win a cross country title in each of her four years in high school. Hall went on to compete at Stanford University and is still one of the best 1500m. runners in the United States. She also married some random guy (ha!) who happens to also be a pretty fair runner himself as well as a former national champion. His interview is linked below.
Q&A with Sara (Bei) Hall

Q&A with Ryan Hall

NXN and Footlocker Western Regional Coverage

You can check out the Live Race Video as well as other information about the NXN race at the following link (live race video will start at 9:55am):
Nike Cross Nationals


You can also find live coverage of the Nike race on flotrack.com at the following link:
NXN 2008 Live



For the Footlocker West meet, you can check out the streaming video and results at the following link:
Footlocker West Regional
Race Schedule

Catching up with Davis' runner Matt Petersen...

Today we chat with Davis High senior runner, Matt Petersen. At the state cross country meet, Matt finished in 7th place in the highly competitive Division I race as he recorded one of the fastest times for a Northern California runner, 15:17. An outstanding effort for latest star on the Davis High cross country team, one of the juggernauts in the San Joaquin Section (SJS). How dominant is the Davis team in the SJS? Try 7 straight SJS titles for the girls and 5 straight for the boys.

1) How did you get involved in the sport of Cross Country?
In 7th grade for my Jr. High

2) Who were runners (on your own team or other teams) you looked up to as you were first getting started in the sport?
Brendan Gregg for sure, along with Patrick Lynch, Zach Bonner, and Kenny Durell

3) There is no comparing Division I at the state meet to the SJS final or to any other section final for that matter. What race would you say prepared you best for the state meet?
A mix between mt. Sac because of the competition and the fact that I knew I saw all who I would be racing, and sections because it gave me the confidence you need at the state meet.

4) What was your plan and/or strategy going into the state meet race?
I knew there would be about 8 guys in contention to win, so I just hung with the pack and tried not to do a lot of the work. I found that I was still in contention at the 2 mile and from then on it is a gut race. I remembered it was the last shot I had at CIF cross country so I went for it.

5) How did the race unfold during the first mile?
During the first mile, things shook out almost just the way I thought they would, all the players were there and I just fell in to place and relaxed. I didn't check my time at the mile on purpose to just focus on the place.

6) Did your position change during the 2nd mile?
I pretty much hung at about 5th place for the whole 2nd mile. I made sure to push both the down and maintain and not give ground on the up.

7) What about the third mile?
As I expected, Sanchez moved up at the end of the two so I latched on to him but he gapped me a bit and then went on to get third. Thinking back that was probably my only mistake not to press harder there to stay with him. I had a really good final push with Danny from Buchanan in the final 8 though.

8) Now that you have had some time to reflect back to the race, how do you feel about your time and place?
I am thrilled with the time, like I said before, if I went with Sanchez I think I could have placed higher.

9) Tell us a little about your coach Bill Gregg and what he has meant to your own success and the success of the Davis team?
I cannot say enough about Bill. He has built this team from the ground up and has got together something special that will last for a while. The atmosphere is unlike anything else I have experienced. As for my own personal fitness, I owe so much of it to Bil and this was possible because of him. I couldn't have hand picked a better coach.

10) What workouts did you do during the season that you feel gave you confidence to compete with some of the best runners in the state?
Bill's training has prepared me for so many aspects of running. He has trained my speed, my threshold, and my vo2 max. I think the most preparing workout for me however, would be my threshold days, although vo2 max is just as important. I say threshold because, on a personal level, that is where I have made the greatest improvement this year and it shows.

11) Looking ahead to track season, what event will you focus on and what races are you looking forward to that you have done in the past?
Well I don't want to look to far past footlocker, but for track I will focus on the 3200 although I need to bring down my mile PR, but that will hopefully be done in a lower key meet or maybe the second day of Stanford. I am looking forward to Stanford, Arcadia, and then State meet (surprise surprise). I haven't raced at the state track meet yet so I'm excited to see what that is like.

12) Anything else you would like to add.
It has been a great cross country ride and I am sad I will no longer be representing Davis on the cross country course.

Matt, thank you very much. AJC

Catching up with Redwood Christian's Josh MacDonald...

Today we hear from Josh MacDonald of Redwood Christian who recently finished in 7th place in the Division V race at the state meet. He led his team to a very strong 5th place finish at the state meet, the highest recorded finish for Redwood Christian. Josh also finished in 2nd place at the NCS cross country meet. With this year's winner (Steven Inglehart of Branson) graduating, Josh will have the rare opportunity to win a CCS individual title (seen here to the left winning last year's race as a sophomore) and an NCS individual title (perhaps next year?).

1) How did you get interested in running cross country?
During my 8th grade year I started running the mile on Fridays in PE. My PE teacher Mr. Warner encouraged me to improve my mile time every week. At the end of the year, I ran in a middle school track meet at James Logan High and ended up with a 5:20 mile. After that meet, Coach Warner told me if I worked hard during the summer, I could do well in cross country. Before school ended, he gave me a training program to follow so I would be ready for the first practice.

2) When did you first realize that this could be a good sport for you?
Two things helped me realize cross country would be my sport – First, I won the first cross country race I’d ever been in. It was the frosh/soph race at the Farmer Invite. This motivated me to train harder and learn more about running. Secondly, when I qualified for state as a freshman, it was the highest accomplishment I had ever achieved in any sport. At this point running became a passion.


3) You were the CCS Division V champion last year and finished in 2nd place at the NCS meet this year. What have been the biggest changes for you and your team in terms of switching leagues and sections?
The biggest change for us was getting to know the competition and the courses. In the PSAL we ran against some good teams like King’s Academy and Sacred Heart Prep and individual athletes, like Robbie Knorr, the 2006 DV state champion. This prepared us to run against the type of quality competition we have faced in the BCL and NCS.

4) What was your experience on the Woodward Park course for you prior to the state meet?
I have only run at Woodward two times prior to this year (both at the state finals). I know it is a fast course that favors athletes who run well on flatter courses. I prefer the hillier courses like Crystal Springs, Canyon in Castro Valley, Joaquin Miller and Garin Park. These courses have the type of terrain I like racing on.

5) What was your race plan going into the state meet race?
My plan was to go out slower than I normally do, stay with the leaders through the second mile and hang on to the end. As a team our goal was to break the Redwood Christian record of 7th place set in 2003.
6) Tell us a little how the race unfolded through the first mile.
The leaders went out a little slower than I expected, putting me near the lead a little before the mile mark. I felt really strong at the mile but did not feel that I had found my rhythm.

7) What was the toughest part of the course for you?
The toughest part of the course was the last tenth of a mile because I have no kick whatsoever.

8) Now that you have had a chance to reflect on your state meet effort, how do you feel about your place and time?
Right after the race I thought about several little areas for improvement. I would have liked to break 16 minutes and finish in the top 5 but that will have to wait. That being said, I felt the bigger goal was the team goal of 6th place or better which we accomplished.

9) What was the best part of the whole state meet experience?
I liked hanging out with my teammates, enjoying ourselves and not worrying about the race. The team and our families went out for dinner, and then we bowled and played cards later that evening. Eating In n Out Burger after the race to celebrate our 5th place finish was the cherry on top.

10) Looking ahead to the track and field season. What do you consider your best distance on the track? Favorite meet? Competitor?
The 3200m is my best event in high school track. However my best overall (and favorite) event is the 2000m steeplechase. I love the steeplechase because it is a guts race where you need a combination of speed, endurance and strength. I ran the steeplechase in the past two USATF Junior Olympics. Therefore my favorite meet is the Chabot Relays because they run a 2000m steeplechase.

My greatest competitor in high school cross country and track is someone who I never had the chance to run against, Jack Welch. Jack set the standard by which every runner at Redwood Christian is measured. He holds Redwood’s distance records in the 400m, 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. One of his classmates sent me a message yesterday that refers to the years that Jack ran as the “Golden Age” of Redwood cross country and distance running. Beyond his records, we are measured by his outstanding character as an athlete. I’m glad I got to know more about him from Coach Gillette, his sister’s Jo (who was on our coaching staff this year) and Christina (who was a big help to me my freshman year).

11) Now that you are a grizzled veteran, what would be your advice to somebody just starting out in cross country?
Prepare yourself for cross country by putting in mileage that you can handle over the summer. To be successful, cross country should not start on the first day of practice.

12) Anything else you would like to add.
It’s been fun running for Coach Gillette. He’s an underrated coach who doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. He looks for ways to encourage and motivate each and every runner on the team to do their best. Although we are a small school, that often has small cross country teams, Coach Gillette has had 37 different athletes qualify to the state championships in his 24 years of coaching. I’d also like to thank you for the interview.

Thank you very much Josh! AJC

Top 25 NCS Individuals and Teams at State Meet

November 29, 2008

By Keith Conning

E-MAIL: [ mailto:CONNING@AOL.COM ]CONNING@AOL.COM

WEB SITE: [ http://WWW.THECONNINGTOWER@blogspot.com/ ]WWW.THECONNINGTOWER@BLOGSPOT.COM

Top 25 Boys’ Individuals (967 FINISHERS)
NCS CAL PLD# NAME YR SCHOOL TIME
01 007 04D2 Wyatt Landrum SR Liberty 15:12
02 015 08D2 Nathanael Litwiller SR Clayton Valley 15:15
03 020 04D3 Erik Olson JR Novato 15:17
04 037 18D2 Rory McLeod SR Santa Rosa 15:30
05 040 08D3 Sterling Lockert SR Petaluma 15:31
06 060 03D4 Dan Milechman SO Tamalpais 15:37
07 071 16D3 Robert Pulford SR Campolindo 15:41
08 072 24D2 Danny Thomas JR Arroyo 15:42
09 080 05D4 Dan Maxwell JR St. Mary's College Hs 15:45
10 082 19D3 Ross Geiger SR Campolindo 15:46
11 088 34D1 Mike Roderick SR Monte Vista 15:48
12 096 38D1 Jeff Bickert SO College Park 15:51
13 102 02D5 Steven Iglehart SR Branson 15:53
14 109 34D2 Ben Rich JR Washington 15:55
15 111 21D3 Devin Lockert SR Petaluma 15:56
16 117 23D3 Colby Pines SR Campolindo 15:57
17 123 52D1 Drew Callen SR Granada 15:59
18 131 40D2 Spencer Sheaff SR De La Salle 16:00
19T 139 28D3 Hugh Dowdy JR Petaluma 16:03
19T 142 59D1 Alex Summers JR Granada 16:03
21 145 61D1 Brett Hornig SR Amador Valley 16:04
22T 153 65D1 Garrett Ward SR Amador Valley 16:05
22T 154 31D3 Michael Brondello SR Campolindo 16:05
24 174 49D2 Bisrat Zerehaimanot SR Hayward 16:08
25 179 38D3 Peter Kissin SR Redwood 16:09

Boys’ Teams (115 TEAMS)
NCS CAL PLD# PNTS SCHOOL AVERAGE TIME TOTAL TIME
01 10. 02D3 0456 Campolindo (15:56.67 79:43.39)
02 12. 03D3 0491 Petaluma (15:58.21 79:51.06)
03 23. 11D1 0825 Amador Valley (16:15.59 81:17.97)
04 29. 09D2 0996 De La Salle (16:21.88 81:49.40)
05 36. 14D1 1134 College Park (16:26.59 82:12.96)
06 52. 16D3 1408 Acalanes (16:38.54 83:12.72)
07 53. 03D5 1416 San Francisco Univ Hs (16:39.59 83:17.95)
08 55. 17D3 1482 Las Lomas (16:41.37 83:26.89)
09 59. 19D2 1501 Santa Rosa (16:39.68 83:18.42)
10 60. 18D2 1523 Washington (16:44.66 83:43.34)
11 68. 06D4 1834 St. Mary's College Hs (16:55.62 84:38.11)
12 70. 07D4 1965 San Rafael (17:03.14 85:15.70)
13 74. 12D4 2096 Tamalpais (17:09.45 85:47.25)
14 76. 05D4 2125 Redwood Christian (17:22.21 86:51.08)
15 97. 08D5 2741 College Preparatory (17:52.60 89:23.03)
16 99. 12D5 2774 Berean Christian (17:58.86 89:54.31)
17 101. 10D5 2921 Head-Royce (18:02.29 90:11.46)

NCS Girl's Individuals (943 FINISHERS)
NCSCAL PLD# Name GR School Time
01 006 03D2 Jacque Taylor JR Casa Grande 17:40
02 020 06D2 Diana George SR Livermore 18:01
03 034 11D2 Heather Cerney JR Carondelet 18:12
04 038 09D3 Isabel Andrade JR Petaluma 18:15
05 040 17D1 Colleen Lillig JR California 18:16
06 047 11D3 Carrie Verdon FR Campolindo 18:19
07 058 24D1 Alycia Cridebring JR College Park 18:26
08 065 05D4 Theresa Devine JR Marin Catholic 18:28
09 066 21D2 Rachel Mitchell SR American 18:28
10 067 14D3 Damajeria Dubose SR Bishop O'dowd 18:28
11 088 28D2 Kellie Houser SR Carondelet 18:38
12 102 19D3 Lauren Curtin JR Maria Carrillo 18:47
13 106 37D2 Natalie Dimits FR Livermore 18:48
14 113 41D2 Abigail Gregg SR Livermore 18:51
15 125 23D3 Francesca Honey FR Petaluma 18:56
16 126 46D2 Julie Nacouzi SO Montgomery 18:56
17 147 05D5 Lucy McCullough SO Marin Academy 19:02
18 154 54D1 Kelsey Santisteban SO Castro Valley 19:03
19 167 18D4 Alex Choy JR St. Mary's College Hs 19:06
20 169 30D3 Jordan Davis SR Maria Carrillo 19:06
21 175 60D1 Rosie Smith SR College Park 19:07
22 193 62D2 Suzi Rozga JR Santa Rosa 19:12
23 199 37D3 Courtney Madson SO Novato 19:14
24 200 72D3 Lauren Crawford SR College Park 19:14
25 202 73D1 Jennifer Goldstein SO Foothill 19:15
25 203 64D2 Celeste Berg SR Montgomery 19:15
25 207 65D2 Dominique Ratto JR Casa Grande 19:15

Girls’ Teams (114 TEAMS)
NCS CAL PNTS PLD# SCHOOL AVERAGE TIME TOTAL TIME
01 14. 602 05D2 Livermore (18:57.07 94:45.35)
02 21. 745 03D3 Maria Carrillo (19:13.06 96:05.34)
03 27. 933 10D2 Carondelet (19:19.47 96:37.38)
04 31. 1055 14D1 College Park (19:29.40 97:27.02)
05 34. 1091 10D3 Campolindo (19:32.99 97:44.95)
06 40. 1167 17D1 Castro Valley (19:40.42 98:22.12)
07 41. 1194 02D4 St. Mary's College Hs (19:41.66 98:28.30)
08 48. 1318 14D2 Casa Grande (19:40.49 98:22.45)
09 62. 1637 15D3 Bishop O'dowd (20:05.31 100:26.55)
10 73. 1959 18D3 Las Lomas (20:29.28 102:26.40)
11 74. 1975 03D5 Marin Academy (20:31.50 102:37.53)
12 78. 2131 04D5 San Francisco Univ Hs (20:42.25 103:31.29)
13 86. 2310 07D4 College Preparatory (20:55.09 104:35.49)
14 87. 2329 17D4 Piedmont (20:59.01 104:55.06)
15 93. 2535 11D5 Lick Wilmerding (21:13.73 106:08.66)
16 96. 2654 20D4 Moreau Catholic (21:29.11 107:25.55)

Keith Conning
The Conning Tower
[ http://www.theconningtower.blogspot.com/ ]www.theconningtower.blogspot.com

The NorCal Distance Coaches’ Collaborative Round Table

CrossCountryExpress.Com, Sports Basement, and Saucony

Present

The NorCal Distance Coaches’ Collaborative Round Table

The Sports Basement
1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Saturday, January 3, 2009
Session I: 9am-12pm
Lunch: 12pm-1pm
Session II: 1pm-3pm

Round Table Leaders
• Chris Puppione – Clinic Co-Director
o Miramonte High School

• Albert Caruana – Clinic Co-Director
o Crystal Springs Uplands School

• Chuck Woolridge
o Campolindo High School

• Tim Hunter
o San Ramon Valley High School

• Doyle O’Regan
o Piedmont High School

Round Table Features
• Everyone is a clinician, everyone is a student
• Round table topics selected by attendees in advance via email
• All attendees receive “A Packet of Nuggets”—a compilation of coaching gems from each attending coach
• 20% off store discount for all attending coaches at Sports Basement
• Meals and beverages provided by Sports Basement
• Free gift for each attending coach courtesy of Saucony
• Raffle of prizes courtesy of Saucony
• Cost for the round table discussion is FREE
• Event is open to the first 50 coaches to register

Contact Chris Puppione (cvpuppione@yahoo.com) for register for the event, as well as to receive further information.

Please contact Chris ASAP as spots are filling up fast. Some of the best coaches in SJS, NCS and CCS will be at this Round Table. Don't miss out.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROUND TABLE. KEEP READING!

December 2, 2008


Dear Coaches,

Now that cross country season is in the books and the track & field season looms on the not-so-distant horizon, we would like to invite you to join us for a clinic unlike any other in the state of California.

On January 3, 2009, we will be hosting The NorCal Distance Coaches Collaborative Round Table in Walnut Creek, CA at The Sports Basement. The event is scheduled to kick-off at 9am and will be attended by many of the finest coaches from our part of the state. Sponsored by Sports Basement, Saucony, and CrossCountryExpress.Com, this clinic is unique in format and conception.

Many of us have attended clinics over the years, and although we have been lucky enough to hear some great speakers, the part most of us look forward to is the aftermath—sitting around with your peers, swapping stories, discussing training ideas, asking questions, all while enjoying some good food and drink.

We have decided to get rid of the lectures and ditch the conventional while getting straight to the good stuff—some high-energy shop talk with some of our sport’s finest coaches in a relaxed environment full of friends and soon-to-be friends. At this event, the attendees will choose the topics. Whether you want to rehash the last cross country season or talk about the track season ahead, you tell us and we will put it on the agenda.

Limited to the first 50 coaches to sign-up via email, this round table discussion is completely based on the contributions of all attendees. Here is how it works:

1. Coaches are asked to email Chris Puppione (cvpuppione@yahoo.com) to sign-up for the event.

2. Upon receipt of your email, Chris will ask you to submit the following for the clinic by December 27, 2008:
a. Topics and ideas you would like to discuss or gain knowledge about at the clinic (training, recruiting, nutrition, state of the sport, etc.)
i. This is an absolute necessity, as these suggestions will function as our agenda for the day.
b. A 1-3 page installment (or “nugget of knowledge”) describing something you do with your athletes that you feel is key to your program’s success (i.e. a particular workout, coaching philosophy, mental training, etc.)
i. All coaches are expected to contribute with this—consider it your entrance fee!
ii. These “nuggets” will be compiled and all attendees will receive the full collection of notes at the clinic.
c. Any copies of your training plan or training notes from the past cross country season or the upcoming track season.
i. While this is optional, coaches can submit these so that they may be shared with other attendees for review, critique, and to foster discussion of training methods.
ii. By submitting your training ideas or plans in advance, we will be able to produce copies for review at the round table—you can have your season’s training impacted by some of our sport’s greatest coaches, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

3. A running tally of coaches who commit to attending the round table will be maintained on Albert’s website (www.crosscountryexpress.com) so everyone can prepare any specific questions that they may have for their fellow coaches.

4. Prior to the event, Chris and Albert will release a schedule that will outline the topics for the day so that each coach attending may come prepared to participate and contribute.
a. THERE ARE NO LECTURERS AT THIS EVENT. We are not presenting a seminar—this is an opportunity to expand the discussion and for everyone to be a student and a teacher.
b. Attending coaches are encouraged to bring any information they wish to discuss or share to the event. We will have overhead projectors, LCD projectors, as well as AV equipment—bring it all.

5. Sign-in on January 3rd will begin at 8:30am with the round table beginning promptly at 9am. We will section the day into topics picked by our attendees, break for lunch at noon, and then reconvene for further discussion starting at 1pm. The round table ends when either you go home or they kick us out of the building at 3pm.

6. While this is an open discussion, we have designated the following coaches as leaders for the event:
o Chris Puppione – Clinic Co-Director
ß Miramonte High School
o Albert Caruana – Clinic Co-Director
ß Crystal Springs Uplands School
o Chuck Woolridge
ß Campolindo High School
o Tim Hunter
ß San Ramon Valley High School
o Doyle O’Regan
ß Piedmont High School
These coaches will act as guides for the discussion, keeping the round table focused while moving the group through the agenda and moderating input from all coaches. They will offer their insights as well, but they are not clinicians or panelists.

7. On the day of the event, all attending coaches will receive the following:
a. Food and beverage courtesy of Sports Basement
b. 20% off store discount courtesy of Sports Basement
c. A free gift courtesy of Saucony
d. A raffle ticket for prizes courtesy of Saucony
e. “A Packet of Nuggets”—a compilation of coaching gems from all attendees
f. Great conversation with amazing colleagues

8. After the actual round table event concludes, Chris and Albert will maintain the email list for all attendees so that the coaches who attend will be able to continue the conversations beyond the clinic walls. This will provide everyone with a constant flow of information and allow us all to become better coaches for our athletes.

It is our belief that this collaborative round table will be of great benefit for all coaches—rookies and veterans alike. Please join us for this amazing event by emailing your registration to Chris Puppione (cvpuppione@yahoo.com).

Be a part of the excitement—be a part of the conversation. Join us January 3, 2009 at The Sports Basement in Walnut Creek, CA for The NorCal Distance Coaches’ Collaborative Round Table.

Yours in running,

Chris Puppione
Albert Caruana

Catching up with Santa Cruz's Brennan Lynch...

Today we chat with the 2nd place finisher in the Division IV race from this past Saturday's CA state meet, Santa Cruz's Brennan Lynch. He shot out of the gate fast this year with an impressive victory at the Earlybird Invitational over Cody Schmidt of Redondo Union. He followed that with outstanding efforts during the rest of the invitational season and league finals. At the CCS meet in Toro Park, Brennan finished in 2nd place behind eventual state champion, Tyre Johnson of Palma.

1) How did you get started in running cross country?
My dad was always a runner, and he suggested to give cross country a shot. So I tried it out and it soon became a part of me.

2) When did you first realize that this can be a good sport for you?
I realized running was suited for me by just being in a running atmosphere.

3) When you first got started in the sport, what runners did you consider as role models (on your team or not).
My dad, My coach Greg Brock and Steve Prefontaine

4) Before this season, what did you consider your best accomplishment in xc?
Before this XC season start my best accomplishment from last year's XC season was placing 7th in state.

5) Tell us a little about your summer training and what you did differently this year than previous summers?
The main difference of this summers training from previous summers was an increase in mileage and quality.

6) What were some of your goals going into the season?
My main goal going into this cross country season was to have a lot of big PRs. I also always had placing in the top three at state in the back of my mind.

7) What was your plan going into state meet race?
My goals for state were to run smart and strong with a plan and to let the results take care of themselves.

8) How did the race unfold and where were you through the first mile? 2nd mile? 3rd mile?
The leader (Tyre) took it out in 4:40 and many followed. I tried to hold back and not go to crazy. I found myself in tenth place @ 4:52. Over the next mile I move up a few places to eigth, 15 seconds behind the leader. Between mile 2 and 3.1 I passed several others and found myself in a pack of four chasing the leader who was 10 sec. ahead. With 200 meters to go I outkicked the pack and came in 2nd, four seconds back. My time was 15:36, a 35 sec. PR from last year.

9) Favorite race? Favorite course? Favorite competitor(s)?
My favorite course is Crystal Springs. I love racing against people who are not afraid to push the pace and are competitive.

10) Looking ahead to track and field, what do you consider your best distance in track? Who are going to be your biggest challengers in terms of making the state meet in track?
I'm not sure what event I will be focusing on in track. Probably the 1600 or 3200. CCS is filled with tons of talent and I'm sure I will have many challengers. So we will have to see how it plays out.

11) What would be your best advice to a young runner who wants to take their runner to the next level?
Be dedicated, work hard, be comfortable with being uncomfortable and follow your highest aspirations.

12) Anything else you would like to add.
thank you!

Thank you very much Brennan! AJC

State Meet Leader Mile Splits

State Meet Splits
November 29, 2008
Timing By Keith Conning, Announcer
e-mail: [ mailto:conning@aol.com ]conning@aol.com
web site: theconningtower@blogspot.com



Division I Boys Race 8:32 a.m.
Distance Time Leader Grade School Section
1 mile 4:45.6 James Cameron SR Mission Viejo SS
2.1 miles 10:23.2 (5:37.6) Tyler Valdes SR Dana Hills SS
3.1 miles 15:05 (4:41) Tyler Valdes SR Dana Hills SS

Division II Boys Race 8:59 a.m.
1 mile 4:45.2 Garrett Seawell SR Woodcreek SJS
2.1 miles 10:24.8 (5:39.6) Wyatt Landrum SR Liberty NCS
3.1 miles 15:00.9 (4:36.1) Elias Gedyon SO Loyola SS

Division I Girls Race 10:29 a.m.
1 mile 5:37.3 Group of runners
2.1 miles 12:00.6 (6:23.3) Alex Dunne SR San Clemente SDS
3.1 miles 17:26.9 (5:26.3) Alex Dunne SR San Clemente SDS

Division II Girls Race 10:06 a.m.
1 mile 5:35.4 Jacque Taylor JR Casa Grande NCS
2.1 miles 12:05.7 (6:30.3) Jacque Taylor JR Casa Grande NCS
3.1 miles 17:33.5 (5:27.8) Kaylin Mahoney SO Saugus SS

Division III Boys Race 10:42 a.m.
1 mile 4:40.0 Eric Olson JR Novato NCS
2.1 miles No time
3.1 miles 15:08 Mac Fleet SR University City SDS

Division IV Girls Race 11:10 a.m.
1 mile 5:36.2 Camille Chapas FR Harvard Westlake SS
2.1 miles 12:16.8 (6:40.6) Sabrina Lopez SR Sacred Heart of Jesus SS
3.1 miles 18:09 (5:52) Sabrina Lopez SR Sacred Heart of Jesus SS

Division V Boys Race 11:45 a.m.
1 mile 4:59.7 Steven Iglehart SR Branson NCS
2.1 miles 10:55.0 (5:55.3) Steven Iglehart SR Branson NCS
3.1 miles 15:46 (4:51) Jake Jeanson SR Woodcrest Christian SS

Division III Girls Race 12:16 p.m.
1 mile 5:30.6 Hannah Valenzuela SO Apple Valley SS
2.1 miles 12:06.3 (6:35.8) Melanie Poweis JR Corona Del Mar SS
3.1 miles 17:35 (5:28) Sammy Silva SR Our Lady of Peace SDS

Division IV Boys Race 12:51 p.m.
1 mile 4:42.6 Tyre Johnson SR Palma CCS
2.1 miles 10:24.6 (5:42.0) Tyre Johnson SR Palma CCS
3.1 miles 15:32 (5:07)Tyre Johnson SR Palma CCS

Division V Girls Race 1:21 p.m.
1 mile 5:16.1 Jordan Hasay SR Mission Prep, SLO CS
2.1 miles 11:43.9 (6:27.8) Jordan Hasay SR Mission Prep, SLO CS
3.1 miles 17:17.8 (5:33.9) Jordan Hasay SR Mission Prep, SLO CS

Keith Conning
The Conning Tower
[ http://www.theconningtower.blogspot.com/ ]www.theconningtower.blogspot.com