The G.O.A.T.?

He was a Division I state cross-country champion his junior year and Schwartz defended his Central Section title as a senior and finished seventh in the state. Then took first at the Foot Locker Western Regional and eighth at the Foot Locker national race.

In track, he placed second in the state in the 3200 as a junior behind German Fernandez who broke the national record in the event.

Since his sophomore year he has won just about every 1600 and 3200 that he has entered. He even wins the 800 often and then finishes off most meets by anchoring the 4 x 400 where he is usually far behind and gets to work on his last lap speed.

Below is how he stacks up against the best Bakersfield runners of All-Time:

1. 4:13.0 Tom Elieff Highland-Bakersfield ‘74
2. 4:14.3 Eddie Granillo East-Bakersfield ‘70
3. 4:14.72a Chris Schwartz Foothill-Bakersfield ‘09
4. 4:15.6 Robert Johnson Bakersfield ‘80
5. 4:15.85a Billy Nelson Taft ‘02
6. 4:15.89a +Terry Hickey Foothill-Bakersfield
7. 4:16.08a Chad Schmidt North-Bakersfield ‘86
8. 4:16.2 Robby Bray North-Bakersfield ’74
   
9. 4:16.6 Scott Hislop West- Bakersfield ’77
10. 4:16.8 Blaine Rudolph Bakersfield ‘78
11. 4:17.12a Taylor Lucero Bakersfield ‘02
12. 4:17.0 Laird Parker Shafter ‘68
13. 4:17 Jose Chavez Bakersfield ‘73
14. 4:17.23a Sean Langer Bakersfield ’65

1. 8:52.1 Felix Elieff Highland- Bakersfield ‘77
2. 8:58.50a +Chris Schwartz Foothill-Bakersfield ’08
3. 8:59.2 Eddie Granillo East-Bakersfield ‘70
4. 9:08.5 Rick Hitchcock North- Bakersfield ‘68
5. 9:14.12a Ricardo Brewer North-Bakersfield ‘93
6. 9:18.0 Lucas Burke Stockdale-Bakersfield ‘03
7. 9:18.5 Roman Gutierrez Foothill-Bakersfield ‘77
8. 9:18 Richard Ursin Bakersfield ‘77

So trek up to Buchanan on Saturday May 23rd and watch Bakersfield's potential G.O.A.T. add to his accomplishments.

Event 4 Men 1600 Meter Run
Saturday 5/23/2009 - 5:27 PM
Lane Name Yr School Seed Time

Section 1 of 1 Finals
1 Sanchez, Jonathan Buchanan 4:20.28 ______
2 Tesfai, Germay Hoover 4:21.49 ______
3 Reedy, Heath Buchanan 4:22.62 ______
4 Vilhauer, Justin 10 Redwood 4:25.00 ______
5 Albertson, C. J. Buchanan 4:25.26 ______
6 Cruz, Noe Clovis East 4:28.38 ______
7 Pace, Joseph Clovis West 4:28.93 ______
8 Schwartz, Chris Foothill 4:29.61 ______
9 Castanon, Taylor Miss. Coll. Prep 4:30.49 ______
10 Rodriguez, Roberto Tulare Western 4:30.54 ______
11 Martinez, Max Buchanan 4:31.54 ______
12 Lewis, Colin Highland 4:32.87 ______
13 Rodriguez, Antonio Washingon Unio 4:33.18 ______
14 Nava, Francisco McFarland 4:33.90 ______
15 Morris, Matt 11 Golden West 4:34.29 ______
16 Penaloza, Ricardo 10 Redwood 4:34.94 ______
17 Solis, Brian Ridgeview 4:36.19 ______
18 Garcia, Alex Ridgeview 4:37.24 ______

Alternates
1 Freeman, Josh Clovis East 4:32.40
2 Lavinder, Josh 12 Mt. Whitney 4:35.03
3 Vanderschuur, Tyler Cent. Valley Chr 4:35.60

In the 1600, it should be a race between Schwartz, Sanchez and Vilhaur. Schwartz and Sanchez have been running against each other for four years and Vilhaur (10) is the new kid on the block. It would be great to see Schwartz break 4:13 and take over the top time by a Bakersfield runner. Even if that runner graduated from my high school!

The boys 1600 is scheduled to be run at 5:27 pm.

top marks '09

s-1 4:14.72a chris schwartz,foothill-bk    3-28 CV classic
n-1 4:15.12a jonathan sanchez,buchanan-cl  4-4  WCR
c-1 4:15.35a ++justin vilhauer,redwood-vis 4-18 mt sac
n-3 4:20.84a +heath reedy,buchanan-cl      3-28 CV classic
n-2 4:21.49a +germay tesfai,hoover-fr      5-13 no area
ss-1 4:23.41a ss taylor castanon,mission prep-slo 4-4 WCR
n-4 4:25.26a ++cj albertson,buchanan-cl   5-13 no area
n-5 4:27.40a noe cruz,clo east              5-1  reedley
c-4 4:28.52a ++ricardo penaloza,redwood-vis 5-8  wyl
n-6 4:28.82a +joseph pace,clo west          5-7  trac
s-2 4:28.94a +colin lewis,highland-bk       5-1  reedley
ss-2 4:29.08a antonio rodriquez,wash u-easton 4-17 lemoore
s-3 4:29.35a robby baker,ridgeview-bk         3-28 pasadena
c-2 4:29.70a roberto rodriquez,tulare western 5-6  eyl
c-3 4:30.33a +matt morris,golden west-vis 4-17 lemoore
n-7 4:31.54a ++max martinez,buchanan-clo  5-13 no area
ss-3 4:33.4 ++francisco nava,mcfarland    4-29 w si l