Post League Results here...

If you know of any individual and/or team results from any meets this week, please post them below. Any CCS, NCS, SJS, Oakland, San Francisco or Northern Section results.

Thank you in advance.

Northern California Newspaper Coverage

•Athletes of the Week, SF Chronicle (Jacque Taylor, Casa Grande)
•Mountain View boys win team crown at Mt. SAC Invitational
•Big win for Trojan boys; respect for Gaucho girls (Petaluma/Casa Grande)
•Two minutes with: Alex Moody (McClatchy Cross Country)
•Carson takes H-DNC cross-country meet at Mack
•Eureka, Arcata take H-DNC meet at Mack•Castro Valley girls have look of champs
•Track stars with pun-laden posters promote healthful eating (San Rafael girls XC team)
•Smith sets new Brooktrails record (Willits Kenny Smith)

More Mt. SAC Reflections...

Today we hear from four more runners about their Mt. SAC experience: James Attarian of Dublin (winner of Boys Sweeps, Race #32 in 14:59), Laurynne Chetelat of Davis (3rd place in the Girls' Supersweep race #61 in 17:15), Jacque Taylor of Casa Grande (4th place, also in the Girls' Supersweep race #61, one second behind Chetelat at 17:16) and Garrett Rowe of Mountain View (winner of the Boys' Varsity Division II race #80 in 15:24).

1) Was this your first experience at Mt. SAC? If not, how many years have you attended the meet?
James Attarian: This was my third time at Mt SAC. Sophomore year was my first year.
Laurynne Chetelat: No, this was my second time racing at Mt.SAC.
Jacque Taylor: No, this is my third time at Mt. Sac. The first time was in 2005 when I was in eighth grade.
Garrett Rowe: This was the first time I have ever attended the Mt. SAC Invitational.

2) Transportation to the meet, drive or fly?
James Attarian: We drove down to the meet. It was about a six hour drive.
Laurynne Chetelat: I drove down with my team in two large buses which took about 9 hours total (including rest stops). It was fun, but somewhat tiring.
Jacque Taylor: I drove down with my family on Thursday night and rested on Friday.
Garrett Rowe: Our team decided to fly to the meet.

3) Best part of the Mt. SAC Invitational?
James Attarian: Winning the race. I have always liked this course and have had good success on it.
Laurynne Chetelat: The bus trip to and back from Mt.SAC is especially amusing because everyone is excited and sociable. Disneyland is awesome because we share unforgettable moments with our friends. However, the race itself is always an exciting challenge that once accomplished makes many runners (including myself) sigh with relief. The best part I believe is the bus trip because it allows me to talk with some other runners out of the 116 total on my team that I often don't find the time or the opportunity to get to know. Also, we get to watch a lot of movies and have great conversations with friends.
Jacque Taylor: I love the competition and it is the perfect meet to run against the best in the state.
Garrett Rowe: My favorite parts of the invitational were not only the great course and new competition , but the team bonding this meet encourages. I'm sure that everyone who went experienced heightened team spiriti, having had time to spend with coaches and teammates, which is very beneficial to overall morale and comradary.

4) Describe the course for runners who have never run on it.
James Attarian: Winning the race. I have always liked this course and have had good success on it.
Laurynne Chetelat: The first mile is quite flat and quick. It is followed by a steep stretch of switchbacks that span a distance of 400m. Next is a steep downhill of about 200m that become flat for a little as it leads into Poop-Out hill. Poop-Out hill is the steepest, and the shortest, of the three hills on the course. It also is followed by a steep and bumpy down hill that curves into a rolling flat stretch. Finally, one reaches reservoir hill - the last and most difficult hill due to the growing fatigue. This hill has the longest and steepest down hill that dangerously turns 90 degrees. Runners must be extra cautious here, but also unafraid to gain speed in order to pass competitors. this leads into the home stretch which runs alongside the start and pass the start line to take another 90 degree turn into the elevated finish.
Jacque Taylor: Dusty, flat and downhill with just the right amount of hills thrown in just for fun!
Garrett Rowe: For people who have not run at Mt. SAC yet, it is the perfect 5k cross country course. The first mile is flat and fast, and almost immediately after the mile marker the terrain morphs into a series of short, steep uphills and long downhills. I must admit that I was a bit intimidated by the hills at first, but they make for a more fun and interesting course.

5) What was your strategy before the race?
James Attarian: The course has a fast first mile which is relatively flat. Then you hit the hills. The first hill is the switchbacks followed by a straight then poop out hill which is pretty steep. The last hill is reservoir hill then back down to the flats along the runway and then to the finish.
Laurynne Chetelat: My strategy was to take the first mile quite fast and hang with the lead pack for the first switchbacks. After that I was planning to try and break away on the down hill or at the top of poop-out hill. From there I just wanted to maintain or enlarge any possible lead I had gained.
Jacque Taylor: I wanted to be in the top five and to improve my time from 2006. To do this I knew I had to be in contact with the front leaders by the first mile to be in position to move up the switch-backs and speed down the hills. Once that part of the course was behind me it was a matter of maintaining my position and challenging the course and myself. I met my goals for this race.
Garrett Rowe: Before the race I honestly had no strategy except to save energy for the hills, and since there were so many people I had never run with at this meet, I had no idea who to try and pace with.

6) Did you get to do any fun activities while down there?
James Attarian: It was fun to just hang out with my teammates at the hotel and restaurants.
Laurynne Chetelat: Yes, our team went to Disneyland soon after the race until midnight! Jacque Taylor: We went shopping, that was fun. I also did homework, that wasn't as much fun.
Garrett Rowe: Our team was at Mt. SAC for only a little over a day, so we didn’t have much time for anything except eating, sleeping, and running. The race was fun for all of us though, and it was well worth the trip to spend time with the great runners and coaches who were there. I would highly recommend this race for anyone considering becoming a high school runner or to anyone who is looking for a fun way to experience top notch cross country.

Thank you very much James, Laurynne, Jacque and Garett-AJC!

Good News for NBL Cross Country Teams

I found this article on the Press Democrat website (Running link). The NBL will now have winter soccer after many years of conflict for cross country/soccer athletes.

You can read about it here:
NBL votes for winter soccer

If you have never visited the first Press Democrat link above, you should check it out. If only every newspaper had their own Jim Crowhurst covering Cross Country and Track and Field for them.

Mt. SAC Reflections from a few Northern California's runners

Here is feedback from three runners about their experience on the Mt. SAC course as well as their trip to the southern part of the state. More reflections to come during the week.

Nicole Hood (above left) is the lead runner for the top ranked Northern California girls' team as well as nationally ranked, Carondelet HS. Garrett Seawell (above center, trailing) leads the second ranked Woodcreek cross country team. For more about Garrett, check out his interview at this link. Charlie Sauter (above right) is the top runner for College Prep HS, last year's 2nd place finishers in the Division V race at state. (Pictures courtesy of dyestatcal.com)

1) Was this your first experience at Mt. SAC? If not, how many years have you attended the meet?
Nicole Hood: Yes this was my first time running at Mt. SAC
Garrett Seawell: Yeah, this was our first time to Mt. SAC.
Charlie Sauter: OK, so every year, our varsity teams goes down, so I've run 3 times.

2) Transportation to the meet, drive or fly?
Nicole Hood: We flew down to the meet.
Garrett Seawell: We drove 8.5 hours to get there which was a very long drive.
Charlie Sauter: We also take two vans down the night before, driven by our willing coaches.

3) Best part of the Mt. SAC Invitational?
Nicole Hood: I liked racing all of the great runners who were in my race. Mt. SAC is a really big meet and it was fun to be a part of a race with that amount of competition.
Garrett Seawell: Winning the team sweeps race individually.
Charlie Sauter: The best part is the bonding that takes place. Sharing hotel rooms, laughing, talking, just having a good time with your fellow harriers is just a blast. Of course taking part in the Mt. SAC tradition is cool also.

4) Describe the course for runners who have never run on it.
Nicole Hood: The course goes by really fast, but it is challenging. Most people think it is all about the hills, but there is much more to this course. There are 3 hills, but the majority of the course is flat or down hill. To be good at this course, you have to be good at all types of running: hills, flat, and down hill.
Garrett Seawell: Its actually more downhill and flat than uphill. just don't get discouraged by the uphill's and you will be fine.
Charlie Sauter: the course: flat first mile, 2 big hills on second mile, 3rd mile is really exposed with one more big hill that takes you to the finish.

5) What was your strategy before the race?
Nicole Hood: I had never run this course before, so I didn't know how I would feel at certain points, or how other people would run it. I knew the first mile would go out fast, and that I had to work the 3 hills, but I also knew that the down hills would be a place to pass people or be passed. I tried to work the hills, but also focus on running the downhill.
Garrett Seawell: I just wanted to stay up with the front pack then finish hard. It was just me and that Rancho Bernardo kid so we had a good race the last mile.
Charlie Sauter: I try to stay conservative on the first mile because everyone tends to fly but than die. always attack the uphills, especially poopout, than hang on from there.

6) Did you get to do any fun activities while down there?
Nicole Hood: No we didn't spend a lot of time down there. The seniors on our team had a dance Saturday night so we had to get back for them to go to that. We did have a team dinner and those are always fun.
Garrett Seawell: We did go to the Home Depot Center on the way over which was cool but we didn't do anything like Disneyland or stuff like that.
Charlie Sauter: Every other year we are able to go to Disneyland but otherwise our activities are limited to racing, hotel, and Denny's.

Thank you very much Nicole, Garrett and Charlie-AJC!

Top 10 Mt. SAC times for CCS, NCS and SJS

The following are the top 10 individuals in the sections mentioned above. It's very possible that I could have missed a name (or two) so please let me know if somebody was left off the list.

The lists also don't include some notable performances from the Oakland and Northern Section which are listed below.

Central Coast Section Boys (Courtesy of Hank Lawson)
1) Diego Estrada Alisal 15:04
2) Garrett Rowe Mt. View 15:24
3) Michael Machado NMC 15:28
4) Michael Johnson Los Gatos 15:38
5) Brad Surh Carlmont 15:57
6) Manuel Esparza NMC 15:57
7) Ian Myer Mt. View 15:58
8) Austin Logie Carlmont 16:00
9) Darius Terry Piedmont Hills 16:03
10) Chris Proffitt SLV 16:05

North Coast Section Boys
1) James Attarian Dublin 14:59
2) Jack Leng Castro Valley 15:17
3) Nate Beach Acalanes 15:37
4) Jeremy Grace Dublin 15:40
5) Sam Hyams Foothill 15:51
6) Hank Carl South Fork 15:57
7) Bhavik Kanzaria Monte Vista 16:03
8) Mike Roderick Monte Vista 16:04
9) Eric Johnson DLS 16:06
10) Spencer Sheaff DLS 16:07
Kenny Smith Willits 16:07

San Joaquin Section Boys
1) Garrett Seawell Woodcreek 15:09
2) Kenny Durell Davis 15:31
3) Chris Haworth Kennedy 15:34
4) Chris Romo Woodcreek 15:43
5) Patrick Ferrell Fairfield 15:58
6) Amjed Aboukhadijeh Oak Ridge 16:04
7) Cameron Mitchell Woodcreek 16:11
8) Feross Aboukhadijeh Oak Ridge 16:29
9) Josh Higgins Oak Ridge 16:33
10) Travis Airola Bret Harte 16:38

Central Coast Section Girls (Courtesy of Hank Lawson)
1) Jennifer Bergman Valley Christian SJ 17:57
2) Hayley Pascale Carlmont 18:32
3) Sammy Hamilton HMB 18:34
4) Justine Fedronic Carlmont 18:41
5) Mary Rhoades Carlmont 19:07
6) Alex Westbrook Mt. View 19:08
7) Jessie Peterson Carlmont 19:14
8) Kristine Talbot Mt. View 19:18
9) Georgia Cottong Carlmont 19:27
10) Alice Twu Piedmont Hills 19:32

North Coast Section Girls
1) Jacque Taylor Casa Grande 17:16
2) Nicole Hood Carondelet 17:24
3) Sarah Sumpter Healdsburg 17:27
4) Diana George Livermore 17:52
5) Kellie Houser Carondelet 18:11
6) Heather Cerney Carondelet 18:22
7) Sara Alliotti Carondelet 18:53
8) Dominique Ratto Casa Grande 19:02
9) Robin Roque Livermore 19:06
10) Kelsey Santisteban Castro Valley 19:08

San Joaquin Section Girls
1) Laurynne Chatelat Davis 17:15
2) Crystal Esparza Beyer 18:07
3) Sable Browning Merced 18:36
4) Stephany Uriostegui Atwater 18:40
5) Jonah Weeks Davis 18:43
6) Maddie Hall Davis 18:53
7) Hillary Kigar El Camino 19:06
8) Sam Reardon Beyer 19:13
9) Nora Nowell Davis 19:18
10) Katie O'Connor Bret Harte 19:30

Oakland Section Boys
Sean Purcell Skyline 15:32
Andrew Sylvester Skyline 15:35
Ryan Purcell Skyline 15:42

Northern Section Girls
Maggie Strong Mt. Shasta 19:17
Natalie Sojka Mt. Shasta 19:39
Cynthia Laiacona Mt. Shasta 19:47

Northern California Weekend Cross Country Coverage

•Taylor 4th at Mt. SAC Event
•St. Mary's Duffy pulls away to win Mariner Invitational
•Skyline takes notes at Mt. SAC
•Wolves, Patriots compete at Mt. Sac (Woodland/Pioneer)
•Beyer's Esparza prevails at Mt. SAC
•Santa Cruz at Monterey Bay Invitational (Scroll down)

I will add more articles later in the day. Feel free to add links to articles from your local papers.

New Rankings Coming This Week!

Please add your comments regarding recent races such as league meets, Mt. Sac, Mariner etc. under this posting. This coming week, I will post the new Norcal Rankings as well as team and individual rankings for the North Coast Section (NCS). Hank Lawson and Walt VanZant already rank the Central Coast Section (CCS) while Joe Hartman has the San Joaquin Section (SJS) covered.

Let me know if you feel an athlete and/or team deserves to be moved up the rankings or if I missed anybody in the past.

League finals are almost upon us. Let the fun begin!

Billy Mills at Moreau Catholic

I will have more tomorrow but for now you will have to settle for a few pictures of Billy, the audience (great turnout!) and his wheels (well at least his license plate and the reserved sign for the 1964 Olympic 10000m. champion). The dinner and Billy's presentation were well worth the $5 entry fee and the drive to Hayward. He will be present at the Mariner Invitational tomorrow along with Doug Padilla and his timing service.



If you have never seen a video clip of the finish of his Olympic victory, check it out on the following youtube video.

LOOK AT MILLS! LOOK AT MILLS!

Northern California Newspaper Coverage

•No "I" in this team (Carlmont HS girls' team)
•Braves runners compete in Fairfax (Justin-Siena)
•Stage is set for Mt. SAC Invitational (SF Chronicle)
•SJ Mercury News Athlete of the Week (Mohammed Abdalla, Willow Glen)
•Prep of the week: Alesandra Roger (Marin Academy)
•SRC runners top field; Clear Lake's Hayes is fifth
•Cross country squad conquers Petaluma (St. Helena)
•Cross-Trainer (San Benito)
•Trojan boys, Gaucho girls run perfect (Petaluma/Casa Grande)
•Prep scoreboard Cross Country (BSAL/EBAL)
•Prep scoreboard Cross country (BCL Challenge)
•Running the show (H-DNC)

If I missed any articles in any newspapers, feel free to add the link in the comment box.