SLV middle-distance runner Cody Johnson commits to Missouri

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_22323331/slv-middle-distance-runner-cody-johnson-commits-missouri (photo courtesy of Jose Carlos Farado/Bay Area News Group)

Olympian Track and Field Clinic at James Logan HS (Feb. 2nd)

All information for this clinic can be found at this link.

Nice effort for Scott Bauhs and Kim Conley

Former San Ramon Valley HS runner Scott Bauhs and Montgomery HS runner Kim Conley both recorded top 10 finishes this past Saturday at the IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting in Italy.
http://www.iaaf.org/news/report/edris-and-degefa-take-ethiopian-double-at-cam

2013 Central Section Distance Races State Meet Contenders

The top 3 qualify to the state meet from the Central Section unless you can qualify by surpassing the 2013 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Sami Ikuma Clovis West HS
Threats:  Mikaela Smith Clovis North HS, Kylee Strausser Bullard HS, Korey Jones Edison HS, Maddy Nikkel Buchanan HS
Wildcards:  Annette Acosta Exeter HS, Kaitlyn Pacheco Clovis HS, Danille Pacheco Clovis West HS

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Ivan Gonzalez Ridgeview HS
Threats:  Cody Brazael Buchanan HS, Uriel Cabanes Madera South HS, Derek Acevedo Clovis North HS
Wildcards:  Kevin Chavira Bullard HS, Ismael Guzman Madera South HS

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Hagen Reedy Buchanan HS
Threats:  Ali Teliha Bullard HS, Maddy Nikkel Buchanan HS
Wildcards:   Kelsee Pottorff Clovis North HS, Lashya Morgan Ridgeview HS, Taylor Samson Clovis West HS, Mikayla Sodersten Clovis HS

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  Cody Brazeal Buchanan HS
Threats:  Blake Haney Stockdale HS, Ismael Guzman Madera South HS
Wildcards:  Jacob Barger Frontier HS, Jacob Bilvado El Diamante HS, Chris Mata Centennial HS

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Hagen Reedy Buchanan HS
Threat: Leigh Moffett Clovis North HS, Yesenia Silva Exeter HS
Wildcards:   Molly Pruett Centennial HS, Sydney Roman East Bakersfield HS, Katie Sandoval Clovis North HS, Brittany Laygo Clovis East HS, Mikayla Sodersten Clovis HS

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  Blake Haney Stockton HS
Threats:  Jose Herrera Madera South HS, Angel Gil Shafter HS
Wildcards:  Connor Fisher Stockdale HS, Danny Garcia McFarland HS, Kyle Miller Tulare Union HS, Robie Reid Exeter HS

2013 NS State Meet Distance Contenders

Only the winner qualifies to the state meet from the Northern Section unless you can qualify by surpassing the 2013 At-Large Time Standards.  Additions?  Changes?  Comments?

Girls 800m.
The favorite:  Jenna Hinkle West Valley HS
Threats:  Megan James West Valley HS, Alexa Flagg West Valley HS
Wildcards:  Azure Grant Chico HS, Madison Schell Durham HS

Boys 800m.
The favorite:  Hunter Jensen Shasta HS
Threats:  Clayton Bunn Yreka HS, David Neill Yreka HS
Wildcards:  Nimai Buroz Chico HS, Brian Schaake Lassen HS

Girls 1600m.
The favorite:  Jenna Storms West Valley HS
Threats:  Hannah Dorman West Valley HS
Wildcards:   Azure Grant Chico HS, Melanie Hickman Pleasant Valley HS, Megan James West Valley HS, Belle Moran Redding Christian HS, Anna Lewis Central Valley HS

Boys 1600m.
The favorite:  John Whelan Etna HS
Threats:  Hunter Jensen Shasta HS, Clayton Bunn Yreka HS
Wildcards:  Chris Midkiff Chico HS, Nimai Buroz Chico HS, Landon Woolard Shasta HS,

Girls 3200m.
The favorite:  Hannah Dorman West Valley HS
Threat: Jenna Storms West Valley HS
Wildcards:   Melanie Hickman Pleasant Valley HS, Belle Moran Redding Christian HS, Helen Mino Faulkner University Prep HS, Megan James West Valley HS, Anna Lewis Central Valley HS

Boys 3200m.
The favorite:  John Whelan Etna HS
Threats:  Landon Woollard Shasta HS, Blake Zufall Shasta HS
Wildcards:  Andrew Lopez Live Oak HS, Matt Jochim Yreka HS

Fastest boys mile/2 mile times by state

I found this on the letsrun.com message board.  How do you compare with other states?

Some notes (others below):
i = indoor
+ = converted from 1600 or 1500
? = old time, and not sure if it imperial, metric, converted or what

VA: 3:53.43 Alan Webb 2001
KS: 3:55.3 Jim Ryun 1965
CA: 3:59.4 Tim Danielson 1966
IL: 3:59.71 Lukas Verzbicas 2011
NJ: 3:59.8 Marty Liquori 1967
TX: 4:01.02 Steve Magness 2003
MA: 4:01.03+ Jon Riley 1997 (3:43.18 @1500)
MN: 4:01.09 Rob Finnerty 2008
NY: 4:01.27+ Matthew Centrowitz 1973 (3:43.4 @1500)
AZ: 4:01.32 Bernie Montoya 2012
WA: 4:01.5 Gerry Lindgren 1964
OR: 4:01.8 Galen Rupp 2004
IN: 4:01.83 Austin Mudd 2011
RI: 4:02.70 Andrew Springer 2009
WV: 4:02.73 Jacob Burcham 2012
WI: 4:02.81 Gabe Jennings 1997
OH: 4:03.12 Brannon Kidder 2012
MD: 4:03.40 Matthew Centrowitz 2007
FL: 4:03.87 Sam Vazquez 2003
NC: 4:03.96 Craig Engels 2012
MO: 4:04.25 Jason Pyrah 1987
CT: 4:04.27+ Gavin Cooms 2004 (3:46.17 @1500)
UT: 4:04.46 Brad Nye 2012
PA: 4:04.65+ Paul Vandergrift 1987
GA: 4:04.78 Brendan Mahoney 1999
MI: 4:05.82+ Omar Kaddurah 2011 (3:47.61 @1500)
IA: 4:05.91+ Ed DeLashmutt 1976 (3:47.7 @1500? definitely 4:08.9)
LA: 4:06.11 Ryan Travis 1997
HI: 4:06.3 Kurt Mench 1970
TN: 4:06.53 Andrew Bumbalough 2005
AK: 4:06.65 Trevor Dunbar 2009
CO: 4:07.02 Connor Winter 2011
KY: 4:07.06 Bobby Curtis 2003
AL: 4:07.07 Patrick McGregor 2009
ID: 4:07.29 Marty Stroschein 1985
MS: 4:07.32 Matthew Cameron 2007
SD: 4:07.9 Jim Reinhart 1973
OK: 4:08.60? Mark Thompson 1979
VT: 4:08.7+? Tim Maxfield ?? (4:07.1? @1600)
NV: 4:08.76 Wade Meddles 2010
NH: 4:09.21 Francis Hernandez 2010
NE: 4:09.29 Brian Turner 1998
SC: 4:09.6 Jimmy Wilkens 1970
NM: 4:09.86 Shadrack Kiptoo 2004
ME: 4:10.0 Brian Pettingill 1980
MT: 4:10.56 David Vidal 2001
ND: 4:10.73+ Corey Ihmels 1992 (4:09.54 @1600)
AR: 4:11.92 Eric Gross 2001
DE: 4:13.53+ Brian Sklodowski 2006 (4:11.93 @1600)
WY: 4:14.60 Dominick Robinson 2009

Some notes (others below):
i = indoor
+ = converted from 3200, with one exception (the actual time is included)
? = old time, and not sure if it imperial, metric, converted or what

IL: 8:29.46 Lukas Verzbicas 2011
CA: 8:34.40 German Fernandez 2008
WA: 8:40.0i Gerry Lindgren 1964
OR: 8:41.5 Steve Prefontaine 1969
MD: 8:41.55 Matthew Centrowitz 2007
NJ: 8:42.66i Edward Cheserek 2011
OH: 8:44.0 Alan Scharsu 1978
MI: 8:44.40+ Dathan Ritzenhein 2000 (8:41.10 @3200)
VA: 8:45.19i Alan Webb 2001
NM: 8:45.44 Shadrack Kiptoo 2004
MN: 8:46.12 Elliott Heath 2007
UT: 8:46.41 Luke Puskedra 2008
WI: 8:46.44+ Chris Solinsky 2003 (8:43.24 @3200)
KS: 8:46.99 Brent Steiner 1979
TX: 8:47.07 Colby Lowe 2008
CO: 8:48.80+ Brent Vaughn 2003 (8:45.60 @3200)
MA: 8:49.60i Franklyn Sanchez 1999
AK: 8:49.79 Trevor Dunbar 2009
TN: 8:49.87 Andrew Bumbalough 2004
NY: 8:50.7 John Gregorek 1978
IN: 8:50.82+ Futsum Zeinasellassie 2012 (8:47.75 @3200)
AZ: 8:51.32+ Bernie Montoya 2012 (8:48.25 @3200)
KY: 8:51.59+ Bobby Curtis 2003 (8:48.39 @3200)
WV: 8:52.6 Jeff Adkins 1979
PA: 8:52.77 Paul Springer 2007
NC: 8:52.84+ Jake Hurysz 2010 (8:49.76 @3200)
NV: 8:52.87 Wade Meddles 2010
FL: 8:53.0 Brett Hoffman 1977
LA: 8:53.6 Bobby Beck 1979
ND: 8:54.32+ Jake Leingang 2012 (8:51.23 @3200)
GA: 8:55.86 Tyler Anyan 2010
IA: 8:55.9 Jim Eicken 1975
CT: 8:56.35 Donald Cabral 2008
MO: 8:56.99+ Matt Tegenkamp 2000 (8:53.79 @3200)
MT: 8:58.35+ Zach Perrin 2012 (8:55.24 @3200)
ID: 8:58.39+ Dallin Farnsworth 2012 (8:55.39 @3200)
NE: 8:58.95 Colby Wissel 2004
SC: 8:59.48+ Ernie Shephard 1988 (8:56.09 @3200)
SD: 8:59.57 Erik Grumstrup 2001
NH: 9:02.63+ Aaron Watanabe 2010 (8:59.43 @3200)
RI: 9:02.93 Andrew Springer 2009
VT: 9:03.39+ William (Mint) Henk 2002 (8:24.52 @3000)
DE: 9:03.81+ Sam Parsons 2012 (9:00.61 @3200)
ME: 9:06.17i Louis Luchini 1999
AL: 9:06.87+ Scott Fuqua 2001 (9:03.67 @3200)
WY: 9:07.79 Dominick Robinson 2007
AR: 9:12.8+ Brian Baker 1989 (9:09.8 @3200)
MS: 9:22.11+ Jake Raines 2002 (9:18.91 @3200)
HI: 9:24.0+? Steve Ferber 1973 (9:20.8 @3200?)
OK: 9:25.80+? Mike Bilyeu 1983 (9:22.60 @3200?)

Northern California Track Preview 2013 by Keith Conning

Strictly by the numbers...
http://theconningtower.blogspot.com/2012/12/northern-california-preview-2013.html

Karlie Garcia to become an Ole Miss Rebel

http://usa.milesplit.com/articles/98066-karlie-garcia-to-become-an-ole-miss-rebel

Sonora's Grolle is Bee's Athlete of the Year for boys cross country

http://www.modbee.com/2013/01/04/2519887/sonoras-grolle-is-bees-athlete.html

Northern California Track and Field Distance Preview

Ready or not, 2013 has arrived and we are still here (Hello Mayans!).  Hopefully it will be a lucky year for everybody when it comes to running and hurdling fast and jumping and throwing far.  First, we are going to take a peak at the top NorCal distance runners for the upcoming Track and Field season.  Based on this past Cross Country season, there will be plenty of intrigue when it comes to our local athletes competing against the best runners in the state.

The Defending Champion:  There are 6 opportunities to win a state title as a distance runner (boys and girls sides) and last year, junior Nikki Hiltz of Aptos HS took the 1600m. state crown for the lone NorCal victory.  She qualified for the state meet as a freshman by finishing in 2nd place at the CCS meet but didn't run at the state meet.  She doubled up (800 and 1600) at CCS as a sophomore and won both races.  She finished in 3rd place at the state meet as a sophomore in the 1600m.  Last year, Hiltz turned the CCS 1600/800 double once again in even more impressive fashion.  She defeated defending champion Cami Chapus at the state final to win her first state championship in 4:42.45.  With her impressive junior Cross Country and Track and Field seasons, Nikki was able to secure a scholarship to the University of Oregon in the fall.  

The Freshmen Girls:  Every new school year brings a new crop of freshmen and this year includes the best potential group of freshmen girls in Northern California history.  Now that is a quite a statement and I might not be enough of an authority to make it but if this isn't the best class of girls, it's up there.  The best of them all during Cross Country was Maggie Bell of Granite Bay HS (State Division 2 champion).  Unfortunately she will not be racing on the track this spring so next in line is a group of girls that will hold their own just the same.  If the times next to the athletes seem too good to be true, then they are more than likely 1500m. or 3000m. times.  Chloe Pigg (2:24.70/5:00.38) led Arcata HS to a 2nd place finish at the CA state XC meet in Division IV.  Her dad Mike was a world class Triathlete and has helped coach Chloe before and during her developing high school career.  Fiona O'Keeffe (2:25.90/5:17.10) of Davis HS finished in 6th place at the CA state meet in the Division 1 race.  Lauren Jacob (4:49.99/10:32.12) of Los Altos HS had the 3rd fastest time overall at the CCS meet in Toro Park trailing only Vanessa Fraser and Danielle Katz.  The rest of the freshmen girls in no particular order include Annaka Green (2:18.01/4:44.27/10:46.93) of Amador Valley HS, Priscilla Lee (58.46/2:14.27/4:50.58) of Evergreen Valley HS, Megan McCandless (10:50.29) of Granada HS and Brooke Starn (4:45.28/10:23.75) of Monte Vista HS.  Chloe Hansel of Las Lomas HS and Kendall Derry of Bella Vista HS led their respective schools during the Cross Country season to top 10 state rankings.

The Injured:  As with any sport, injuries are an unfortunate part of the equation.  The already mentioned Nikki Hiltz missed the entire Cross Country season due to a right foot stress fracture.  There is a chance she could be back racing this coming Track and Field season but that has not been confirmed yet.  Karlie Garcia of Oakmont HS missed the majority of her senior Cross Country season following a 5th place at the Foot Locker national meet as a junior.  Anna Maxwell of San Lorenzo Valley HS dealt with illness at the end of the recently completed Cross Country season.  She was spectacular during Track and the majority of her junior XC season.  Teammate Cody Johnson, last year's CCS 800m. champion and 5th place finisher at state, was shut down during XC due to to a hamstring injury.  Blair Hurlock of De La Salle HS led the way for the Spartans but also had his season ended early with a lower leg injury.  Annaka Green's XC season never got off the ground due to a stress fracture.

The Impact Players:  In no particular order.  There are plenty of runners that could have an impact at their own section as well as the state meet.  Yohaness Estifanos (4:13.81/9:08.06) of Milpitas HS had one of the best XC seasons in CCS history.  John Lawson (4:18.55/9:12.23) of Sir Francis Drake HS finished 9th at the Footlocker national meet.  Julia Maxwell (5:00.87/10:27.99) of Branson School won the state XC meet in Division V for the 2nd year in a row, qualified to the Footlocker national meet and last year finished in 4th place in the 3200m. at the CA state meet.  Eugene Hamilton III (1:52.84) of Bishop O'Dowd finished a close second at last year's NCS MOC and got valuable state meet experience.  Madison Ricks (2:09.52) of California HS was NCS champion last year and this past fall ran XC for the first time which bodes well for her this coming TF season.  Nijae Jones (2:10.39) of San Leandro HS gave Ricks all she can handle at NCS and then finished one spot ahead of Ricks at the state meet with a 6th place finish.  Cody Johnson (1:52.44) won CCS last year in dominating fashion and is the 2nd fastest senior returning in the 800m. in California.  Anna Maxwell (2:10.87/4:48.11/10:21.04) is a triple threat in all the distance races.  Nikki Hiltz is the defending state champion in the 1600 and will be a major threat to repeat if she returns from injury.  Kylie Goo (2:10.52) of Westmoor HS gave Hiltz all she can handle at CCS in the 800m. and qualified to the state final with her PR. Faith Makau (4:59.08) of Enochs HS was SJS champion and one of the last qualifiers to the state 1600m. race with her sub 5 minute effort.  Vanessa Fraser (4:54.32/10:28.63) of Scotts Valley HS is usually out shined by her league meets Maxwell (Anna) and Hiltz but she has more than held her own with multiple state championships in Cross Country and a 7th place finish in the 3200m. at last year's state meet.  Madeleine Ankhelyi (4:55.96/10:34.72) of Vista del Lago HS finished in 3rd place at the CA state XC meet in Division III and was a top 10 finisher at last year's 3200m. at state.  Jena Pianin (4:59.72/10:40.21) of Amador Valley HS finished just behind Ankhelyi at the CA state TF meet and was 3rd place this past XC season in the Division I race behind the 2 fastest runners in the entire meet.  Richard Ho (9:13.41) of Leland HS chased Estifanos to one of the fastest times on the Crystal Springs course this past XC season and finished in 7th place at the CA state XC meet.  Aidan Goltra (9:32.91) of Campolindo HS had to sit out the first month of XC season following his transfer but finished the season in grand fashion taking the Division III section and state titles.  Trent Brendel (4:21.56/9:23.98) of Granite Bay HS was voted SJS XC runner of the year and will be favored to take the 3200m. this season.  Danielle Katz (2:13.33/5:05.53/11:06.06) of Los Gatos HS had her best XC season to date and could be a threat in all three distance races in CCS.

The "At-Large" Standards:  This year, the North Coast Section lost an automatic state meet berth so now those "At-Large" standards are more in play  with only 3 automatic bids.  The question is what is the toughest distance standard for the boys and girls.  I won't get into comparing the boys marks to the girls but according to the rating charts I have for multiple distances, the marks should be ranked in this order:

Boys ("toughest" to "easiest")

1:52.92

9:09.03

4:16.38

Girls ("toughest" to "easiest")

10:39.88

2:12.10

4:59.51

Feel free to comment on the above article.  If you feel I missed anybody noteworthy, add their accomplishments and personal records below.