Nicole Lane and the UC Davis connection

http://running.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/1564/nicole-lane-and-the-uc-davis-connection/

Northern California Track and Field Invitationals this weekend...

Saturday, February 25th
Capital Classic Relays @ Elk Grove HS (SJS) 
San Francisco Fog All-Comers @ Lincoln HS (SF) 
Stocking "Super 7" Invit'l @ Diablo Valley College (NCS)
Bell Invite @ Bellarmine HS (CCS)
Los Gatos All Comers Meet @ Los Gatos HS (CCS)
MCAL All Comers @ Drake HS (NCS)

Any other meets taking place this weekend?

9 CCS titles in a row and going for #10 this year...

It's not in Cross Country or Track and Field but Gilroy HS will be going after their 10th straight CCS title in wrestling.  Anyway you look at it...very impressive!
http://www.gilroydispatch.com/sports/gilroy_high_school/wrestling-willie-fox-leads-ghs-in-its-hunt-for-th/article_487b6d84-5f12-11e1-a719-001a4bcf6878.html

Coming up later today...

How many cross country teams qualify to the state meet in 2012?  Found out what sections lost state meet berths and what sections gained additional state meet berths?  These are not official but it will give you an idea of what will most likely be the numbers for next XC season.

A teaser:  There are 4 divisions that will have a change.  Care to venture a guess on those changes?

Stay tuned...

2012 Half Moon Bay Hall of Fame Class

Becky Schmidt-Hollenshead, Class of 1978 will be a charter member of the Half Moon Bay HS Hall of Fame:
http://www.hmbreview.com/sports/she-was-part-of-first-ccs-winning-team/article_6262eb22-5dba-11e1-8a43-0019bb2963f4.html

Here are the results from the first CCS meet for girls in 1977:
http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/XC/1977/ccsres.htm

Also entering the HMB Hall of Fame is Craig Branstrom who high jumped 6'11" in high school and went on to compete in the decathlon at the University of Kansas.
http://www.hmbreview.com/sports/branstrom-held-high-jump-record/article_643d2b18-5dbc-11e1-9d0d-0019bb2963f4.html

Website of the Month Updated

Check out the just posted website of the month above.  If you have time, check out the year of that school's record holder in the 100m. and 200m.  Any other school has records that old?

There are a few CCS school records posted at www.lynbrooksports.com at this link.  Where are your school's track and field records posted?  What is your most impressive school record?

Lindsay Allen time for a change in 2012

Former College Park HS and Stanford University runner, Lindsay Allen:

Watch more videos on Flotrack

Local sports digest: Saint Mary's adds outdoor track and field program

In today's Contra Costa Times:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/sports/ci_20015377

WILLIAMS NOT FAR BEHIND NATIONAL TEAM RUNNER

Recently graduated Urban HS runner Cole Williams (above in Orange) now running at Occidental College:
http://oxyathletics.com/sports/mtrack/2011-12/releases/20120219bwpdql

New track has sport’s future looking bright in Corvallis

Another college option for NorCal HS athletes?
http://special.registerguard.com/web/sports/27630613-41/track-field-osu-sullivan-program.html.csp

Couple of NorCal updates from Simplot Games

Some of the following was reported by Rich Gonzalez of ESPN Rise (https://twitter.com/#!/dyestatcal):
South Bay Express (3 athletes from Valley Christian San Jose and one from Piedmont Hills) won the Sprint Medley Relay in 3:31.5.  Sean Davis (above) of Valley Christian SJ anchored the team running a reported hand time of 1:53.7.  He ran cross country this past fall for the first time during his high school career.

Trinity Wilson of St. Mary's Berkeley won the 60 meters Hurdles final in 8.23 which is a California Indoor Record (2nd fastest all-time in the nation).

Sophomore Blair Hurlock of De La Salle (ineligible this year to compete in varsity competition due to his transfer from Tracy HS) ran 4:23.91 to finish 4th.

Senior Byron Marshall of Valley Christian SJ won the 60m. in 6.87.

2012 North Coast Section Preview Men

Courtesy of Keith Conning and THE CONNING TOWER:

http://theconningtower.blogspot.com/2012/02/2012-north-coast-section-preview-men.html

Former Montgomery HS and UC Davis runner Kim Conley

Check out her latest post on her blog:
http://kimconley.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/emerald-city-opener/

Passion for running hit Sharlet Gilbert at an early age

In today's SF Examiner:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sports/personal-best/2012/02/passion-running-hit-sharlet-gilbert-early-age

NorCal athletes and their college destination...

Chris Waschura Woodside HS-Stanford University
Kevin Bishop Monta Vista HS-Stanford University
Alex Conner Sonoma Valley HS-Yale University
Carrie Verdon Campolindo HS-Colorado University
Kieran Gallagher Gunn HS-Harvard University
Allison Sturges Mt. View HS-Duke University
Bridget Blum San Francisco University-Claremont McKenna (new)
Shea Taylor Grace Davis HS-Brigham Young University (new)
Deon Pinder Merrill West HS-Oklahoma University (new)
Kendal Nielsen Bear River HS-Cal Poly SLO (new)
Holland Reynolds San Francisco University-Colgate University (new)
Brielle Rowe Mountain View HS-Princeton University (new)
Kenneth Walker John F. Kennedy HS-UCLA (new)
Jamie Fehrnstrom Miramonte HS-Princeton (new)
Bryon Marshall Valley Christian SJ-University of Oregon (new)
Erich Wilson Serra HS-Washington University (new)
Cody Bickham St. Francis HS-Cal Berkeley (new)
Trevor Fuhriman Monte Vista HS-Brigham Young University (new)
Nicole Lane El Molino HS-UC Davis (new)
Nick Bayley Amador Valley HS-Stanford University (new)

Any others?  Email me at albertjcaruana@gmail.com

Cal All-Comers Results for today's meet (2/18/12)

http://www.rtspt.com/events/cal/21812/compiled_res.htm (courtesy of recordtiming.com)

Heart & Sole Festival of Miles, presented by Blood Centers of the Pacific

May 20th, 2012 at Santa Rosa Junior College The first annual Heart and Sole Festival of Miles, presented by Blood Centers of the Pacific, is a community event to celebrate physical fitness as well as the sport of competitive running.  There will be heat after heat of by-age miles, so that you can run against others of your same relative age and ability. Then the Festival will end with a series of invitational races, culminating with our Heart and Sole Elite Miles, as we try to run the first ever sub-4 minute mile in Sonoma County history!    Cost is just $10 for youth, $15 for adults. (Price goes up after April 25.) There will be a $5 door fee to spectate, so you may as well run!  Check out our website to see how you can run your first, fastest, or most fun mile, as you support others and watch some of the world's best milers all on the same stage!

Bell Invite

What: Bell Invite. All events in dual meet order

Where: Bellarmine College Prep (please park on campus)

When: Saturday February 25, first event 9:00 am

Who: Boys Varsity and Frosh Soph in all events; girls Varsity in all events, plus JV when numbers merit. Bellarmine for sure, and probables include Presentation, Notre Dame San Jose, Andrew Hill, St. Lawrence, San Lorenzo Valley…and you!

Cost: 25 dollars per team, to cover starter and finish line supplies. No medals, a very low key meet, just a chance to get our athletes out on the track before the big meets begin.

Medical science helps to explain "runner's high"

http://www.wistv.com/story/16774992/medical-science-helps-to-explain-runners-high

Simplot Could Be Deeper than '11

http://espn.go.com/high-school/track-and-xc/events/simplot-games/2012/story/_/id/7575821/2012-simplot-preview (including St. Mary's Berkeley hurdler Trinity Wilson)

Track star Wallace makes pro debut

Former Vintage HS and Sacramento State runner Lea Wallace:
http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/columnists/marty-james/track-star-wallace-makes-pro-debut/article_666e0d56-57a1-11e1-b99b-001871e3ce6c.html

Piner's Luna aims for personal milestone

http://www.pdpreps.com/news/article/30761/piners-luna-aims-for-personal-milestone/

BATC Clinic: March 3rd

The BATC would like folks to RSVP for the March 3rd Clinic at Campolindo by sending a note to: community@bayareatrackclub.com

Coaches,
The Bay Area Track Club will be returning to Campolindo High School of Moraga on March 3rd!  BATC athletes, including Magdalena Lewy Boulet, Alysia Johnson Montano,  Shannon Rowbury, Bolota Asmerom and Mark Matusak will be offering a clinic for all high school and youth athletes.

Registration begins at 10:30am.  Clinic will run from 11:00am to approximately 3:00pm.  Cost is $20 per person.  Each participant will receive a BATC T-Shirt, stretching rope, and GU product.

This event is geared for all track & field athletes!  Instruction will include speed/power development, dynamic strength, core strength, mobility/flexibility,   and myofascial therapy.  Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups some of the premier local athletes in our sport!

I hope you will consider encouraging your athletes to attend!

You can check out a video of last year's BATC clinic at the following link:

http://www.flotrack.org/speaker/102-Alysia-Montano/video/459187-2011-Bay-Area-Track-Club-Clinic-Campolindo-High-School

-Chuck Woolridge
Campolindo High School

Cracking the Long-Jump Code

Found in today's Wall Street Journal:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204795304577221290230248970.html

Model Coach Award

Two Northern California coaches receive this prestigious award:
Michael Buchanan Oroville HS (Northern Section)
Bill Daskoralis Aragon HS (Central Coast Section)

You can view a complete list of all the winners here:
http://www.cifstate.org/images/Releases/Model_Coach_rel_11-12.pdf

The list of the All-Time Model Coach Winners is here:http://www.cifstate.org/images/PDF/Past_CIF_Model_Coach_Award_Winners.pdf

Final Los Gatos All-Comers Meet (2/11/12)

Some familiar names took part.  Check out the impressive early season times.
http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2012/LGAC6/lgac_6.htm

Pictures:  http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2012/PICS/LGAC/lgac.htm

NYRR Wanamaker Mile

A great example of race tactics and effortless running by Matt Centrowitz as he wins the famed Wannamker Mile in 3:53.92.

Sara Hall National Champion again

From Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

http://running.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/1521/sara-hall-national-champion-again/

Cross Country and Track and Field this weekend

USA Cross Country Championship can be currently seen live courtesy of runnerspace.com:
http://www.runnerspace.com/USACrossCountryChampionship

105th Millrose Games can be seen live (1pm to 7pm) on youtube at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/armorytrack

USA Track & Field Classic in Fayetteville Arkansas on ESPN2 Sunday 9:30am to 11:30am

2012 North Coast Section Preview Men

From THE CONNING TOWER (top 10 returning athletes in each event):
http://theconningtower.blogspot.com/2012/02/2012-north-coast-section-preview-men.html

Who are the heavy favorites this year?  Who are the contenders that are not listed?

My thoughts on broadcasting track & field on TV

Some great ideas by Ryan Fenton of flotrack.org on how to improve the presentation of the sport of Track and Field on TV:
http://www.flotrack.org/blog/40977

Do you have any ideas how to make Track and Field more appealing on TV?

CHRONOLOGICAL LISTING OF U.S. MILERS WHO HAVE BROKEN 4:00 IN THE MILE

Thanks to Track and Field News, a great look back at all the first time American sub 4 minute milers.  To date, there have been 366.  The list has definitely grown in the past few years as you will see.  See if you can find the runners who have some sort of Northern California connection.
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/images/stories/tfn_pdfs/ussub4s.pdf

High school track prodigy Oshier could rewrite record books at Humboldt State

http://www.times-standard.com/sports/ci_19917876 (Photo by Louis Lopez)

Woodside Runner Accepts Stanford’s Offer

http://redwoodcity.patch.com/articles/photos-woodside-runner-accepts-stanford-s-offer#photo-9065665

Willie Davenport Olympian Track and Field Clinic

http://www.tricityvoice.com/articlefiledisplay.php?issue=2012-02-07&file=story3.txt
Saturday, February 11 (8am to 4pm) at James Logan High School

San Jose Relays 1977 Mile -- Stillman 4:11.54

The following video is posted at www.lynbrooksports.com.  It was originally posted on youtube by John Sup of Palma who still holds the 15th fastest mile in CCS at 4:12.01.

Check out the 2 turn stagger at the start of the mile race below in 1977 race.  Mark Stillman of Willow Glen still holds the CCS record for the mile at 4:07.04 (converted to auto time from 4:06.9) and was CA state champion in 1977.  You can check out the CCS top 100 list in the mile here:  http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/ccs1600b.htm

Mark Stillman-Willow Glen 1977

Holland Reynolds, San Francisco High School Track Star, Inspiration For New York Giants (VIDEO)

Found in Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/holland-reynolds-san-fran_n_1257736.html

Kaiser Permanente San Francisco 1/2 Marathon & 5K - 1/2 Marathon Results

You may recognize some of the names at the following results link:
Kaiser Permanente San Francisco 1/2 Marathon & 5K - 1/2 Marathon Results

Please identify the current and former NorCal HS competitors in the comment section below and what high school they attend or attended.  How many can you name?

TEEN FACE: Luna blazing trails on and off the track

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20120205/LIFESTYLE/202051012/1033/news?Title=TEEN-FACE-Luna-blazing-trails-on-and-off-the-track

Teen a giant inspiration for Big Blue

Kyle Williams, you are off the hook...ha!

NCS Fall Sports Scholastic Team Awards

http://cifncs.org/awards_programs/files/fall11%20-%20announce.pdf

Track and Field on TV today (Sunday)

The 17th New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston.  (11am to 1pm on ESPN2)
If you can't wait for the results, here they are:
http://www.letsrun.com/2012/newbalance-results-0205.php

Modesto JC to Host High School & Youth Track Clinic

Saturday, February 11 (9am to 12pm)
http://www.mjc.edu/general/news/events/2011/clinic.html

Cal All-Comers Results for today's meet (2/4/12)

http://www.rtspt.com/events/cal/2412/
Compiled results:  http://www.rtspt.com/events/cal/2412/compiled_res.htm

All courtesy of www.recordtiming.com

University High's Reynolds inspires NY Giants

From today's SF Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/03/SPMV1N3275.DTL

Spartans hire coaches (Mountain View HS)

Mountain View hired three spring sport coaches -- Adam Petke (baseball), M. Anthony Chen (boys volleyball) and JeTrout (track and field). Trout will also coach cross country.

Petke, a former player at Cal, has coached and developed baseball players in the Bay Area for more than 10 years, according to the school's release. Petke previously led Lowell-San Francisco to city and regional titles.

Chen, better known as "Coach M.A.C." to the volleyball community, is in his 16th year as a volleyball coach at the middle school and high school levels.

Trout is a certified coach for USA Track and Field, USA Cycling, USA Triathlon and the National Federation of High School Associations. He has coached distance and cross country at Branham-San Jose and Notre Dame-San Jose, as well as West Valley College-Saratoga.

Above blurb was found at the following link:
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_19883227

2012 Track and Field Invitational Dates (Northern California)

I believe the following list is accurate.  If you have additions and/or corrections, email albertjcaruana@gmail.com
For all SJS meets, please check out the following link:
http://bvtrack.com/sjs_invitational_dates.htm

For all CCS meets, please check out the following link:
http://www.dyestatcal.com/ATHLETICS/TRACK/2012/2012.htm

January 21, Saturday, Skyline "all comers" at Skyline HS

February 25, Saturday, Joe Stocking Super 7 Invitational at Diablo Valley College

March 2, Friday, Pitman Distance Wars at Pitman HS
March 2, Friday, Steve March Relays at Del Oro HS

March 3, Saturday, San Rafael Twilight Relays at San Rafael HS
March 3, Saturday, East Bay Invitational at California HS
March 3, Saturday, 14th Annual Sierra-Tom Moore Relays at Sierra HS
March 3, Saturday, Mt. Pleasant Relays at Mt. Pleasant HS
March 3, Saturday, Skyline Invitational at Skyline HS
March 8, Thursday, Honker Mini Invite at TBA

March 9/10, Friday/Saturday, Dan Gabor Invitational at Amador Valley HS
March 10, Saturday, K-Bell Invitational at Westmont HS
March 10, Saturday, Newark Memorial's Cougar Invitational at Newark Memorial HS
March 10, Saturday, King Gilbert Invitational at Granite Bay HS
March 10, Saturday, Port City Invitational at Bear Creek HS
March 16, Friday, Calaveras' Frosh/Soph Invitational at Calaveras HS
March 16, Friday, North State Relays at Chico State

March 17, Saturday, Dublin Distance Fiesta at Dublin HS

March 17, Saturday, St. Francis Invitational at St. Francis HS
March 17, Saturday, Bruder/Martinez Relays at Martinez HS
March 17, Saturday, Piner Gold Rush Relays at Piner HS
March 17, Saturday, Welton "Moe" Moore Relays at Grant HS
March 17, Saturday, Garlic Classic Invitational at Christopher HS
March 17, Saturday, Big Cats Relays at Kezar Stadium
March 23, Friday, Eagle Classic Relays at West Valley HS
March 23/24, Friday/Saturday, West Valley Relays at Wesmont HS (new)
March 24, Saturday, Bronco Invitational at Bella Vista HS
March 30, Friday, Cougar Co-Ed Relays at El Dorado HS
March 31, Saturday, King City Invitational at King City HS
March 31, Saturday, Hornet Invitational at Enterprise HS
March 31, Saturday, Deer Valley Invitational at Deer Valley HS
March 31, Saturday, Avis Kelley Invitational at Gilroy HS
March 31, Saturday, Hornet Invitational at Enterprise HS

April 6, Friday, F/S Top 8 Track and Field Classic at TBA (CANCELLED)

April 6/7, Friday/Saturday, Stanford Invitational at Stanford University

April 6/7, Friday/Saturday, Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia HS

April 14, Saturday, Junipero Serra Top 7 Invitational at Serra HS
April 14, Saturday, John Frank Invitational at Central Valley HS
April 20/21, Friday/Saturday, Mt. SAC Relays at Mt. SAC

April 20, Friday, CCS Top 8 Track and Field Classic at TBA
April 20, Friday, West Valley/Chico Invitational at Chico State
April 20, Del Oro Invitational at Del Oro HS

April 21, Saturday, San Mateo Bearcats Invitational at San Mateo HS
April 21, Saturday, Pacific Grove Invitational at Pacific Grove HS
April 21, Saturday, Northern California F/S Championships at Dublin HS
April 21, Saturday, Bret Harte Invitational at Bret Harte HS
April 21, Saturday, RVHS Falcon Invitational at RV HS
April 21, Saturday, Halden Invitational at Davis HS
April 21, Saturday, Woody Wilson Invitational at UC Davis
April 27, Friday, Cougar Twilight Invitational at El Dorado HS
April 27, Friday, Sheldon Distance Carnival at Sheldon HS
April 27, Friday, Yreka Lions Invitational at Yreka HS

April 28, Saturday, Sacramento Meet of Champions at Hughes Stadium
April 28, Saturday, Viking Track Classic at Montgomery HS
April 28, Saturday, Alisal High School Invitational at Alisal HS

May 4, Friday, Gold Rush Elite Invitational at Calaveras HS
May 15 and 17, Tuesday and Thursday, SJS Division IV and V at Modesto JC
May 16 and 18, Wednesday and Friday, SJS Division I at Elk Grove HS
May 16 and 18, Wednesday and Friday, SJS Division II and III at Bella Vista HS
May 18, Friday, NS Division I at Enterprise HS
May 18, Friday, NS Division II at Yreka HS
May 18, Friday, NS Division III at College of Siskiyou
May 18, Friday, NS Divison IV at Los Molinos
May 19, Saturday, CCS Semi-Final at Gilroy HS
May 19, Saturday, NCS Class A Meet at TBA
May 19, Saturday, NCS Area Meets at TBA
May 24/25, Thursday/Friday, SJS Masters Meet at Elk Grove HS
May 25, Friday, NSCIF Finals at West Valley HS

May 25, Friday, CCS Finals at Gilroy HS
May 25/26, Friday/Saturday, NCS Meet of Champions at UC Berkeley

June 1/2, Friday/Saturday, CA State CIF Championship at Buchanan HS

Sonoma’s Studdert, Wilber, Conner bound for Clemson, Ole Miss, Yale

Sonoma’s Studdert, Wilber, Conner bound for Clemson, Ole Miss, Yale - Sonoma News - News 2012 - Sonoma, CA

Deon Pinder Merrill West HS to Oklahoma University

From the Tracy Press and the following link:
http://www.tracypress.com/view/full_story/17388217/article-Local-seniors-commit-to-2012-13-college-plans-?instance=sports_lead_story_left_column

Deon Pinder

The West High senior had a few choices among school that would offer him scholarships to play football or join their track and field teams. He chose a track and field scholarship at the NCAA Division I University of Oklahoma, where he plans to continue his development as a long jumper and triple jumper.

Pinder has made his mark on the West High track and field team with repeat trips to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters meet. He also competed in the Junior Olympics as a member of Beast Athletic Performance, led by West track and field coach T.J. Williams.

During the June 2011 National Junior Olympics in Eugene, Oregon, Pinder gained the attention of college track and field coach Chris Huffins, who was coaching another competitor at the event.

It turned out that Huffins was recruiting athletes for his new job at University of Oklahoma, and he invited Pinder to check out the campus in Norman.

“When I made the visit the campus was really nice,” Pinder said. “Coach Huffins is a really good coach, and I really think that’s my best opportunity to do something big.”

He said it looked better than other offers he had, including a chance to play football at Sacramento State University.

Pinder also holds a place in the West High record books for a triple jump of 48 feet, 4 inches at the 2011 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters meet at Sacramento City College last May. The jump, his first attempt of the day, automatically qualified him for last year’s CIF state meet, and gained him a silver medal at the section meet.

His experience at West, Pinder said, is what directed him to pursue track and field as his top sport.

“I get a whole lot of support from the community at West High,” he said. “Coach Williams really pushed me to where I need to be, and I always trust in him to get me to the top, and that’s what he did for me.”

Read more: Tracy Press - Local seniors commit to 2012 13 college plans 

CCS Girls' teams to watch this spring courtesy of MV Moose

1. Mountain View: Return all individual scorers from last year's runner up team. Has four girls in the NorCal top 10.
2. Piedmont Hills: One stellar freshman from stealing this year's crown.
3. Aptos: Also has four girls in the NorCal top 10.
4. Saratoga: They slide up in the events where seniors graduated. A move to the tough-as-nails De Anza Division gives them early season competition.
5. Mt. Pleasant: If they add another jumper or sprinter, could retain their crown.
6. Wilcox: Have a Senior and Sophomore from last year's team to carry them to a top finish this spring
7. Valley Christian: Return a top notch runner and jumper. 
8. St. Francis: Return the best relay teams in the CCS
9. Everyone else: There are great athletes that are a joy to watch and cheer on. Everyone in the CCS is a champion to me!

Lastly. I can assure you of one thing. A few freshmen, injuries, return from injuries, and more will totally juggle these at the end of the season.

Enjoy!