More Newspaper Articles...

•Sanders 82nd at state (Erin Sanders, Pioneer)
•Milpitas runner competes among state elite
•Stately finish (SLV runners)
•Knight's Drosky in fast company (Greg Drosky, Las Lomas)
•Landrum finds his pace (Wyatt Landrum, Liberty)•Riverbank runner is at head of class (German Fernandez, Riverbank and NCS runners)
•Good showing at state for NHS (Novato runners)
•Running isn't bad for you, it's perfectly safe (Redwood Times)
•Around the horn (Several DFAL athletes mentioned)
•Hamilton finishes 13th at state meet (Samantha Hamilton, HMB)
•Second place for St. Mary's boys and girls
•Campolindo girls take third at CIF meet

The elements of a successful cross country program

Did you ever wonder about what makes a successful cross country team? Why do the same teams land on the podium in Fresno year after year? Here is, in my opinion, a list of what makes up a successful cross country program. Keep in mind that while each element aids in the success of a team, not all are required for a successful team.

1) Coach with long tenure at school-Take a look at the top programs in the state and more than likely, the head coach (along with the long line of assistant coaches) have been part of the program for many years. Stability at the top is the key to long term success.
2) Team Website-While not necessary, in this age of the internet, a team website has many uses. Coaches can communicate, update and motivate their runners and parents. Team pictures from the last meet or spaghetti dinner can be posted. Links to the best injury prevention information. The list goes on.
3) Supportive parents-Coaches think they can do it all but if they are smart, they would use the resource that is readily available to them, parents. Most parents are thrilled to help the coaches in a positive manner. They just need direction.
4) Summer Running Camp-Whether it's Lake Tahoe, Mammoth or a team cross country camp, the team needs to go travel somewhere during the summer. And why are these so important? Kids have to get in shape beforehand to handle such camps so the camps themselves are great incentives for your kids to run over the summer.
5) Tradition-I once heard that a tradition is anything repeated twice. What does your team do that you would consider tradition? Is there a crazy hat day? Do you stay at the same hotel at the state meet? Traditions give the runners something to look forward to during the season.
6) Team records-Who is the fastest junior on the Mt. Sac course? Who holds the record for the team ice cream run? You want to find the fastest runner in 1965? You want to really motivate all the runners on the team? Keep all records!
7) Team photographer-While this is more than likely another parent, a team photographer allows the coach to yell, scream, or as most think they are doing, kindly encouraging his or her athletes.
8) Team get togethers-While it's great to run together over hill and dale until the cows come home, it's important for teams to have team get togethers like spaghetti dinners, pool parties or just spending a few hours at the local miniature golf place.
9) Feeder program/Recruiting-This could be your local middle school or a local track club but something needs to grab runners for you before they turn to other sports. You want to have a great cross country team, get the best athletes at your school to come out for your team.
10) Local Newspaper-Your parents know you run a great program but your local newspaper can spread the word for you. Contact them after each meet and sell your team.

So from that top 10 list, which are the most important aspects of a cross country team? What did I miss? Feel free to add your own thoughts about what makes your team so successful?

More State Meet Newspaper Coverage

•Runners Rowe, Reynolds & Pompei pace teams at state final NEW
•Two Paly runners place within top 36 at State Finals
•SF Chronicle Athletes of the Week (Four Bay Area Runners chosen!)
•San Jose Mercury News Highlight Reel Boys (Mohammed Abdalla, Willow Glen)
•San Jose Mercury News Highlight Reel Girls (Bergman, VC/Barnett, Leland)
•Petaluma boys run second in state meet

Very cool blog from two former NCS runners

Here is a new blog that has been started by two of the best NCS runners from '06/'07 (Joey Kochlacs of Campolindo and Calvin Thigpen of Maria Carrillo) who are now attending Chico (Kochlacs) and UC Davis (Thigpen)respectively. Both runners share their experiences during their first collegiate seasons in their first posts. It's definitely worth the read for any runners that have the desire to compete beyond the high school level. You can access their blog at the link below. Both runners will also be contributing to this blog as well during the winter and Track and Field seasons. They will be a great addition!

Left: Kochlacs finishing up at '06 Stanford Invite.
Right: Thigpen leading teammate Nathan Huckeba at NCS Redwood Empire 3200

http://carrillovscampo.blogspot.com/

CA State Meet Follow Up Newspaper Articles

•23-plus years later, I've got my state winner (Sarah Sumpter, Healdsburg)
•Julian finishes 65th (Denise Julian, Bear River)
•Pondo girls take third in state meet
•In a class by himself (German Fernandez, Riverbank)
•Segerstrom's busy day: Race and ballgame (Erik Segerstrom, Sonora)
•Johnson, Lee lead area runners at state meet (Monterey County Herald)
•Raymond 20th in girls race STATE CROSS COUNTRY (Beth Raymond, Washington)
•Mount Shasta girls win state
•Skyline boys 16th, best-ever by OAL

All Time Podium Teams at CA XC State Meet

The following two links are the updates of every California team that has every made the podium at the cross country state meet. During the first year (1987), only 2 teams made the podium but to keep it uniform, I counted the top 3 teams in every state meet (1987-2007).

•All Time Podium Teams Girls
•All Time Podium Teams Boys

If you see any errors, please email them to albertjcaruana@gmail.com

Top Northern California Runners by Section

The following links are courtesy of Hank Lawson's website.
Top state meet individual times by section.
NCS Boys
SJS Boys
CCS Boys
NS Boys
OAK/SF Boys

NCS Girls
SJS Girls
CCS Girls
NS Girls
OAK/SF Boys

Northern California Podium Individuals and Teams

The following are pictures of all the individuals and teams from Northern California that qualified for the podium (Top 10 for Individuals and Top 3 for Teams). Result links are also added.

Division I Girls Top 10 IndividualsDiv. I Girls' Results

Division II Girls IndividualsDiv. II Girls' Results

Division II Girls-Ponderosa (3rd Place)
Division II Boys Top 10 IndividualsDiv. II Boys' Results

Division II Boys-Petaluma (2nd Place)/Woodcreek (3rd Place)


Division III Boys Top 10 IndividualsDiv. III Boys' Results

Division III Boys-Aptos (3rd Place)

Division III Girls Top 10 IndividualsDiv. III Girls' Results

Division III Girls-Campolindo (3rd Place)
Division IV Girls Top 10 IndividualsDiv. IV Girls' Results

Division IV Girls-St. Mary's (2nd Place)
Division IV Boys Top 10 IndividualsDiv. IV Boys' Results

Division IV Boys-St. Mary's (2nd Place)

Division V Girls Top 10 IndividualsDiv. V Girls' Results

Division V Girls-Mt. Shasta (1st Place)
Division V Boys Top 10 IndividualsDiv. V Boys' Results

Division V Boys-University (2nd Place)

State Meet Newspaper Coverage rolls in...

•Castro Valley girls 16th at state NEW
•Senior can finally smile: Chetelat claims state title
•South Fork's Carl takes third place in state
•San Rafael's Ripp all-state at xc finals; Marin Academy girls finish fourth
•Rowe outruns MacQuitty
•Willow Glen's Abdalla run down in end
•Jeff's Bor bores through pain
•Three Bay Area wins in cross-country championships (SF Chronicle)
•Aptos boys finish third in Division III
•Paly's MacQuitty 11th at state cross-country
•No sophomore jinx: Napa's Ruegg 67th at state meet
•Del Campo and Davis boast state winners
•Rico suave (Sarah Rico of West)
•State Story 1 (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
•State Story 2 (Sarah Sumpter, Healdsburg)

More to come today.

Top 15 Norcal Teams (Boys and Girls)

Top 10 Girls' Norcal Teams (by team times)Podium teams in RED!
1) Carondelet ( 19:02 1:35:08) 5th in Div. II
2) Ponderosa ( 19:02 1:35:10) 3rd in Div. II
3) Davis Sr. ( 19:07 1:35:35) 10th in Div. I
4) Carlmont ( 19:18 1:36:28) 9th in Div. I
5) Campolindo ( 19:19 1:36:32) 3rd in Div. III
6) Mountain View ( 19:19 1:36:35) 6th in Div. II
7) St. Ignatius ( 19:31 1:37:32) 7th in Div. III
8) Gunn ( 19:32 1:37:36) 10th in Div. II
9) Folsom ( 19:32 1:37:37) 14th in Div. I
10) Maria Carrillo ( 19:32 1:37:38) 4th in Div. III
11) Presentation ( 19:35 1:37:55) 11th in Div. II
12) Aptos ( 19:39 1:38:14) 8th in Div. III
13) Mt. Shasta ( 19:40 1:38:18) State Champions!
14) Livermore ( 19:41 1:38:21) 13th in Div. II
15) Castro Valley ( 19:43 1:38:35) 16th in Div. I

Top 10 Boys' Norcal Teams (by team times)1) Woodcreek ( 16:17 1:21:25) 3rd in Div. II
2) Willow Glen ( 16:21 1:21:41) 4th in Div. III
3) Monte Vista ( 16:22 1:21:48) 10th in Div. I
3) Davis Sr. ( 16:22 1:21:48) 11th in Div. I
5) Petaluma ( 16:23 1:21:51) 2nd in Div. II
6) Del Campo ( 16:25 1:22:01) 8th in Div. II
7) Aptos ( 16:26 1:22:07) 3rd in Div. III
8) De La Salle ( 16:33 1:22:42) 5th in Div. II
9) Skyline ( 16:34 1:22:49) 14th in Div I
10) Amador Valley ( 16:35 1:22:51) 15th in Div. I
11) Los Gatos ( 16:37 1:23:04) 11th in Div. II
12) Oak Ridge ( 16:38 1:23:08) 9th in Div. II
13) Carlmont ( 16:39 1:23:11) 17th in Div. I
14) Acalanes ( 16:41 1:23:25) 9th in Div. III
15) St. Mary's College ( 16:43 1:23:31) 2nd in Div. IV