Friday, July 31, 2009

An Inside Look At Reaching the Summit

The following was written by Schwartz's coach, Paul Contreras. Coach Contreras is an alumni of Foothill High school and is now the head cross country coach there.

I started coaching Chris during his sophomore year in track (2006) and I knew Chris was a good runner but I never expected him to run the times he ran. His sophomore year, he finished the year running 9:08.3.

I thought he would run 9:20ish especially since he did not have a grasp on what pacing was. It was frustrating to see Chris go out and take the lead and then drop off pace. If I had to pick one race where things changed and Chris made the jump from being a good runner to being one of the best in the nation it has to be the Arcadia Invitational 2007.

Some athletes drive coaches crazy and Chris was not the exception. In fact, I think he excelled at driving me crazy.. I had checked on Chris a few times to see if he had everything he needed while we were waiting for the seeded 2 mile race to be called. Chris said he was fine but I could tell he was nervous but that was expected, especially since this was the biggest race he had ever run in.

Just after the second call for the seeded 2 mile race, Chris came to me and told me that he had mistakenly packed his sisters racing jersey and forgot his, he even had it on to prove to me that it did not fit. Chris is just an inch or two over 6ft and his sister is about 5ft tall. The only thing we could do was to wait for Dayshan Ragans (2008 state dicus and shot champion) to finish competing in the shot put and use his jersey. Dayshan won the event and I quickly ran the jersey to Chris and just as he put it on the seeded 2 mile was called to the track and it was too late.

I remember explaining to the clerk of the course (if I remember correctly it was Rich Gonzalez of DysStatCal) and he asked if I wanted to add Chris to the invitational 2 mile. I wanted to teach Chris a lesson, so I agreed to have him run in the invitational 2 mile. I explained to Chris that there were some VERY good runners in the race and I told Chris to run in the middle of the pack and not to take the lead but let the pack pull him to running a good time.

After the third lap Chris took the lead but did not keep it and he finished second to last. After the race I was furious that Chris did not listen to me but I was also pleased that it did not phase him to take the lead and try to run with those guys.

I told Chris if he did that in another race again I would not enter him in any more races. After that I knew Chris had the talent and the guts to run with some of the best but he need to learn to pace himself. I thought about what might work for Chris and I could only think of one workout that might work.

The following Monday at practice I explained the workout to Chris and he looked at me like I was crazy because he had never had a workout like the one he was about to run. The workout was 16 400s at a 70 second pace with a 200 jog rest. But I think what really made him think I was crazy was that I told him I would add an extra 400 for every one he did not hit pace and he knew I was serious. He hit every one of them on pace.

The Friday of that week, I took Chris to the Mt. SAC Invitational and he won the 3200 with a time of 9:13.7. More importantly, his 400 splits were almost perfect. Two weeks later he won the 3200 at the Meet of Champions in Sacramento. Chris won the 3200 at league, area and then took second at valley but finished second to last at state. His poor performance at state was because he was nervous but he was also fighting of a viral infection that weakened him.

The next year during cross country, I was the assistant coach and Chris ran with more confidence. He finished the year winning state DI and qualifying for nationals. I was not sure what my role was going to be on the track team during Chris' junior year. We did not have a sprinters coach and both Arron Rietz, the head coach, and myself were both distance coaches. Arron decided since Chris and I had some success the previous year that I should coach the distance team.

My goal for Chris during his junior year was to build on the pacing strategies that we worked on the year before. But I also wanted to work on his speed. We worked on his base by putting in some miles and then we worked on his strength by doing some endurance interval workouts towards the end of the year I had Chris concentrate on running faster times for his 400, 800, and 1600.

This was the year that German Fernandez destroyed everybody and I knew that the pace at state was going to be fast. We worked on Chris running the first part of his workout fast and then recovering back to a sub 9 minute pace and fortunately it worked because Chris was the only other runner to run under 9 in that race. I guess second place to German Fernandez in a national record setting race is not bad.

The following year (2008), I once again was the assistant coach during cross country and Chris was having a great year. He had not lost a race until he ran against Trevor Dunbar at Mt. SAC, a loss he later avenged at Western Regional. However Chris did not win state, he placed 7th, I believe that we entered him in too many races and he was tired and he was not smart about getting enough rest and a good breakfast before the state meet.

After the loss at state Arron and I talked about what kind of approach we should take for the remainder of the season. We agreed that we should not make the practices easy. I put together a few workouts which included the workout Chris has always responded to very well, 400s on pace with 200 jog rest. The following week Chris won Western Regional and finished 8th at Footlocker Nationals.

For the 2009 track season, I found out early that I was going to coach the distance team and when Chris and I felt he had took enough time off to rest he began to run on his own. By the time the season started Chris was running 40-50 miles per week. I also put Chris on a circuit training workout to help with upper body strength. When the season started Chris continued to do up to 50 miles a week this was almost double what he was doing during cross country.

Interval workouts concentrated on his speed. Chris and I talked about dropping his 400, 1600 and 800 times early in the year so that he could run the first 1600 in a 3200 comfortably . I did not want to make the same mistake that we made in cross country and enter Chris in too many races and burn him out at the end of the season.

I also did not want Chris getting in the same rut and running the 3200 without competition. So I did not enter him in the 3200 in local invitationals, instead I had him run the 800 and the 1600 to concentrate on working on his speed. In our area there are decent runners but none that can challenge Chris, but I do expect this to change in the coming years because some of the local runners look promising.

One thing we do have around here are few runners that could challenge Chris in a 800 and they could even push him in the 1600. Everything was going well. Chris ran decent early season times and I was expecting things to continue. Arcadia came around and I thought that Chris was the favorite to win, and so did Chris. He went out in a blazing first lap at 64 and by the third lap he began to fade and finished last.

He bounced back the next week and won the 3200 at Mt. SAC, the only runner to win the 3200 three years in a row. We continued to work on his speed but I could sense that Chris needed to put more miles in so I increased his mileage for a couple of weeks.

After April we went back to working on his speed. I had him doing intervals twice a week and a long run and a couple of 4-5 mile runs mixed in. At league, Chris won the 800, 1600, and the 3200. We were both especially pleased with his 800 performance. We never really worked on tactics for the 800 but Chris put together a great race and beat, Jake Van Zandt of Highland, a very good runner.

Chris did not do so well in the 800 at area, in fact he took last but he won the 1600 and the 3200. At valley, I was worried because Justin Vihauerand Johnathon Sanchez were running well. In the back of my mind I thought that they had peaked to early and I was hoping that holding Chris out of some of the big meets would pay off and his legs would be strong and he would be well rested.

Chris defended his valley titles in the 1600 and the 3200 and he looked more comfortable in those two races than I have ever seen him before, now it was time for state. A week before valley, I took Chris off of the track and we did 99% of his interval training on our cross country course.

My reason for this was to save his legs and I hoped the the grass would absorb the impact of the pounding from repeat intervals. I set fast times for Chris to hit on his intervals I even tried to motivate by telling him that Jordan Hasay could probably run her repeat 200s faster than he could. I had watched the video of Hasay doing a track workout towards the end of the season.

I tricked Chris a bit during those last three weeks. Even though I had Chris run the same intervals that we did on the track it was more challenging on our cross country course because he was running on grass and our course has a gradual incline. Chris was working harder and running faster without realizing it.

The last week of practice was a recovery week and Chris ran nothing over a 400. The day of the state meet came and I knew that Chris would have to run his best just to place in the top ten. When we arrived at the stadium we found a seat by the shot put area and did not talk much.

A few minutes before the race Chris said to me, "Coachie, how should I run my second 1600?" I told him that his second 1600 not as important as his first 1600. I told him to run comfortable for the first half and stay in the top five and to maintain contact with the leader. I reminded that most of the top guys were not even thinking about him.

When the race started I hoped that holding Chris back throughout the season had made him hungry. Chris thrives on competition. When the lead pack came by after the third lap at 68 I knew that they were running the perfect race for Chris but the race was not over. When Chris took the lead after the 1600 I thought back to Arcadia and got nervous. When Collin Jarvis passed Chris with 500 to go I hoped that Chris would hold on.

I can remember saying, "hold on Chris, hold on," and my 8 year old daughter asked me what did I want him to hold on to. When I saw Chris take off at the 200 and then pass him at the 150 and leave Collin Jarvis it reminded me of his last 200 on our course, during practice Chris finished his last 200 in 26 seconds after repeat 200s, he was tired and I pushed him but Chris just kept driving his arms and legs to make himself run faster.

When Chris crossed the finish line it was one of the most amazing moments I have ever been a part of. When Chris gave his interview after he won and said he just listened to his coach and he wanted it bad I knew it did not matter who was in that race Chris was going to win. I look back at the last three years and can not imagine a better finish for Chris. I also look back and realize how fortunate I was to coach Chris. Chris would have accomplished all of his goals no matter who coached him.

Coach Paul Contreras

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Team In Training 5k


The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's

Team In Training



















5K MEMORIAL RUN the 2nd
1 Mile Walk/Run
August 1, 2009 7:30am
Beach Park
Pre-registration $20 Entry Fee
$25 Procrastinators' Entry fee after dates below
Awards 3 deep in 10 year age categories, male and female, and overall in 5K
Completion awards to all 1 milers
*Help raise funds to find a cure for blood related cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
*Run in memory of those who have lost their fight against leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma.
Packet Pick-up/Race Day Registration 6:30-7:00am
Team In Training 5K MEMORIAL RUN
Please make checks payable to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Mail completed entry form to: For more information call:
Team In Training Memorial Run Bruce Wearda (661)665-9503
11212 Mirrored Image Ct Register online: www.bakersfieldtrackclub.com
Bakersfield, CA 93311 Navigate to the calendar
Postmarked before July 24, 2009. Register online up to July 29, 2009.
FIRST NAME: LAST NAME:
ADDRESS: CITY, STATE, ZIP:
PHONE: SEX: M F DOB: AGE ON RACE DAY:
EMAIL: RACE: 5K 1 mi
WAIVER: ALL ENTRANTS MUST SIGN. IF ENTRANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, A PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST SIGN. In consideration of your acceptance of this entry, I hearby for myself, my executors, and administrators, waive any and all rights and claims for damages I may have against the sponsors, coordinating groups, and any individuals associated with the event. I acknowledge none of the above are responsible for the loss of personal items nor any form or aggravation in connection with the said event. I have been warned I must be in good health to participate in this event. In filling out this form, I acknowledge I have read and fully understand my own ability and do accept the restrictions.
SIGNATURE: DATE:

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

USATF Region 14 Track & Field Championships - Girls


Girls

Bantam

400 relay -- 3. Bak. Grayhounds A, 1:00.75

Youth

100 -- 2. Brena Andrews, Bak. Grayhounds, 12.77; 200 -- 2. Brena Andrews, Bak. Grayhounds, 26.08; 400 relay -- 2. Bak. Grayhounds A, 51.51; 1600 relay -- 3. Bak. Grayhounds A, 4:26.0.

Intermediate

100 -- Kortney Herring, Bak, Grayhounds, 12.59; 200 -- 2. Herring, 26.10; 400 relay -- 1. Bak. Grayhounds A, 49.04; HJ -- 3. Tahirah Hill. Bak. Grayhounds, 4-0; LJ -- 2. Jenia Sears, Bak. Grayhounds, 17-8.25.

Midget

400 -- 2. Tianna Smith, Bak. Grayhounds, 1:02.33; 800 -- Smith, 2:26.40.

Young women

100 hurdles -- 3. Taylor Jackson, Bak. Grayhounds, 15.03; 400 hurdles -- 2. Jackson, 1:05.10; 400 relay -- 1. Bak. Grayhounds A, 48.78; 1600 relay -- 2. Bak. Grayhounds A, 3:58.82; LJ --2. Shanea Anderson, Bak. Grayhounds, 17-7.5.

USATF Region 14 Track & Field Championships - Boys


USATF Region 14 Track & Field Championships

Boys

Bantam

100 -- 3. Isaiah Nevels, Bak. Grayhounds, 14.04; 800 -- 3. Joey Fitzpatrick, Rosedale Racers, 2:34.41; 400 relay -- 2. Bak. Grayhounds, 58.49; HJ -- 1. Justin McCall, Bak. Grayhounds, 6-2; LJH -- 1. Nevels, 13-6.25;

Midget

100 -- 3. Gordon Bryce, Bak. Grayhounds, 13.14; 800 -- 1. Christian Romeo, McFarland TC, 2:21.86; 400 relay -- 1. Bak. Grayhounds, 52.67; 1600 relay -- 3. Rosedale Racers A, 4:35.08; LJ -- 1. Gordon, 16-11.25; 2. Braxton Prince, Bak. Grayhounds, 15-7

Intermediate

200 -- 1. Bruce Jennings, Bak. Grayhounds, 22.26; 800 -- 3. Stephen Burke, Kern Firefighters Activity League, 1:59.76; 110 hurdles -- 1. Christian King, Bak. Grayhounds, 15.83; 400 hurdles -- 1. King, 59.06; 400 relay -- 1. Bak. Grayhounds, 44.11; 1600 relay -- 1. Bak. Grayhounds A, 3:31.31; 3200 relay -- 1. Kern Firefighters Activity League A, 8:43.21; HJ -- 1. Evan Eggenberg, Kern Firefighters Activity Lg, 6-0; TJ--1. Johnny Carter, Team Raw, 49-1.75; 3. Shannon Edwards, Bak. Grayhounds, 43-9; LJ--1. Thomas Grimes, Bak. Grayhounds, 21-4.75.

Youth

1500 --1. Erik Garcia, McFarland TC, 4:22.5; 3,000 -- 1. Garcia, 9:32.1; 1600 relay -- 3. Bak. Grayhounds A, 4:06.96; LJ --1. Tristan McGee, Bak. Grayhounds, 19-0.

Young men

800 -- 2. Jerrid Lewis (photo), Kern Firefighters Activity League, 1:56.05; 1,500 -- 3. Colin Lewis, Kern Firefighters Activity League, 4:08.2; HJ -- 1. Phillip McCullum, Bak. Grayhounds, 6-2; TJ -- 2. Nolan Mearse, Bak. Grayhounds, 44-8; LJ -- 2. Mearse, 21-7.25.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Home Playing Xbox ....

Few parents like saying that their 17 year old son is home playing xbox but I meet one that was real happy that his was. When I got an email from a concerned parent (and runner herself) a week ago about a kid getting hit by a car at the Howlin' at the Moon, I thought whoa I have a 17 year old son! It could be me at the hospital not knowing what to do or why it happen.

Well tonight, I meet the young man's dad and he had good news about his son. The boy was banged up but he was home playing xbox and should make a full recovery. What a relief to hear this news, when I first heard what happen and that he was in critical condition, I feared the worst.

It sounds like being young and being great shape saved the day. His little sister said her brother doesn't even touch fried foods. Because no one was at the intersection and other runners removed the glow sticks, the teen ended up crossing the street and got hit. The car was going fast and he almost got out of the way. One leg got over the front of the car but then the car hit him in the shin of the other leg and he landed on the windshield and then bounced over the car.

Then he bounced behind the car for a hundred yards or more. The driver never even hit the brakes before impact. Dad says his son was bummed out because he would of medaled in his age division right behind state champ Chris Schwartz, if he had not gone the wrong way. I told dad that the official results said "DNF" and his son definitely has one of the best "Did Not Finish" stories of all time.

Class: M 10k 15-19 - 10k Male 15-19 10k
1 392 MIRELES, Cesar 19 34:10.7 0
2 442 SCHWARTZ, Christopher 19 38:35.4 +4:24.7
3 433 SCLAFANI, Dustin 15 44:02.0 +9:51.3
4 417 LOCKWOOD, Bryson 16 47:28.4 +13:17.7
5 441 BEARD, Thomas 17 48:35.7 +14:25.0
6 443 RAMIREZ, Joel 15 1:18:33.9 +44:23.2
435 CONDIE, Tyler 17 DNF

It was nice to meet his dad and his little sister (photo) at the McFarland race tonight. We had emailed one another about his daughter (before the accident) but had not actually met before. It was doubly nice to see both of them out there running too.

In a few weeks, the family will be returning to Qatar (where dad works), which is good news because it means his son must be doing well. His daughter was excited about going back and was looking forward to a meet in Egypt. I asked how far it was and she said "Oh it is only a four hour plane ride!". I said "only four hours?" while shaking my head. But I guess it beats the 24 hour trip to Qatar.

So I am very glad I came to the race this evening, I only hope that if I am ever faced with such an incident, that I can handle it as well as the Condies have.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Not To Far Off The Mark


Over 50 people came in after the break even mark of 30 minutes. Leading this group was Driller Sarah Baker (photo) in a time of 24:31/30:04 for 86th place. A few places behind her was Arvin's coach Brian Nelson in 19:00/30:06. A new Driller came in 91st, Kevin Scrivano will be following in his three siblings and be running cross country this fall. He ran 21:37.

North's Kaylee Moyer came in 90th in a time of 26:51/30:08 and will be a sophomore in the fall.

Some other quick times were posted by David Bacus and CSUB's Ryan Lucker who both ran 17:36. Former CSUBer Pam Boyles ran 22:35 and current Road Runner Eddy Lee came in 117th and ran 17:44.

Right behind him was Ridgeview's Robby Baker ran 17:16 for the fastest time of the day. Last but not least was a new runner who posted an 18:00 on the course. Brandon Croft is a senior from El Diamonte who ran with Robby at the state cross country meet last year.

Despite the Heat Some Beat Their Previous Best


79 out of 204 beat their time from before despite the heat. of course some have been trying to game the system to place high in the overall standings but quite a few just let it hang all out at every run and are unconcerned about the points race.

Some improvers this week were Gabby Lerma (photo) Of Bakersfield High who came in 26th with a time of 23:15/28:37.

Future Driller Scott Van Matre ran 25:14 but exceeded his handicap so instead of getting 36th place he was moved to 80th, His brother David (Driller 08') came in 55th with a time of 19:25/29:32.

Ahead of him was Zach Holt (Driller 09') who came in 46th in a time of 17:39/29:21. Zach is going to be runing his first marathon at San Francisco on July 26th. He is shooting for a sub three performance.

Jessica Huizar of Ridgeview came in 28th in a time of 23:59/28:49 and was followed by her coach Adam Setzer who ran 21:49/28:55 for 32nd place. The Wolf Pack's biggest supporter is Robby Baker's mother Danette and she came in 53rd in a time of 33:28/29:29.

After a cross country trip with the kids and back, Kari and Jonathan managed to improve their times. Kari cam in 44th in a time of 31:37/29:20 and Jonathan came in 50th in a time of 22:39/29:26.

Showing no mercy on friends or elders was Oscar Fuentes (East High 08' - 60th in 17:58/29:40) who chased down and passed his girlfriend Lina Nunez (CSUB - 61st - 21:31/29:41)in the last yards of the race and Andrew Ariey (Driller 09' - 75th in 17:36/29:55) elbowed his way past a former Driller Joel Cardoza (76th - 21:14/29:57) in the last yards of the race too.

The IV wins the 4th BTC 5k Run


Peter Perez IV won the fourth installment of the 2009 BTC Summer Series 5k with 23:06/24:50 (Real time/Tape time) time. Taking second is a long time Andy Noise (when he was known as a record store) friend Jenny Gia aka Jenny Angel. She is a member of the Dusk Devils band and always is sporting a great rockin t-shirt and her trademark shades.

Speaking of old Andy Noise friends, one of my oldest is 7th place Steve Humphreys. He was the fastest cop in Bakersfield until he retired a few years ago. He was a 17 minute 5ker and a 2:53 marathoner just a few years ago. Now that he is retired and back in Bakersfield, look for him to pick up where he left off and join our very fast 50 - 59ers here in town. With Hatley joining Deeter and Weinmann recently in this age group, getting a medal will be hard for a few years. Steve only ran 31:23/27:08 but he is trying to win this event this summer.

After Four, Things are Heating Up



The overall winner is the one who has the lowest point total for three races. So until the fourth race, there is no true leader. But now we have one and it is Brad DeWitt (photo) with a 15th, 3rd and an 80th for a total of 98 points. His score and Van Matre's would be lower but they exceed their handicap and so they were bumped down 80th.

They violated this rule:

Sandbaggers New rule: For any Runner who reaches the 20% improvement mark on any run the following will occur:
1. Regardless of your finishing place in that run, you will be considered as if you ran a 30 minute tape time and placed accordingly.
2. Your placement in that run WILL COUNT as one of your 3 scoring races for consideration in the overall Top Ten finishing. This will be enforced each time you exceed the 20% improvement mark.
3. The race directors have full discretion to enforce the rule.

Even with this penalty they are number one and three in the standings. But probably will not improve their score because of this rule. Two that do have a chance to improve and move up the rankings are Jeri Shea and myself. We are in fourth and fifth and have two low scores and a pretty high third so we could move into the top places.

But much depends on how much handicap we have left and how fast the race is. With two races left, a lot can happen and someone with only one scoring races could come out of nowhere and take the title. Last year, son and father came in first and second overall. Peter Wykoff took the title with 30 points and his dad (Johnathan) was second with 40. Awards are given out to the top ten and last year tenth was a mere 77 points.


1 Brad DeWitt 15 3 80 98
2 Lisa Manzano 50 23 33 106
3 Scott Van Matre 9 32 80 121
4 Jeri Shea 26 99 4 129
5 Paul Anderson 5 128 14 147
6 Blayne Poon 28 68 57 153
7 Noelle Combs 68 8 130 206
8 Josh Gilbert 102 89 20 211
9 David Riel 10 42 169 221
10 Danette Baker 114 56 53 223

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Move Your Tail



Move Your Tail Website HERE. Directions HERE.

1st Annual ½ Marathon, Fun Run, and Bike Event

September 12, 2009 at Brite Lake to Benefit the Tehachapi Humane Society

8:00 $35 “Rare Breeds” ½ Marathon – 13 miles (medals for all finishers)

8:00 $25 “The Paw Pounder” - 10K Run

8:00 $30 “Muddy Mutts” Biathlon - 10K run/13 mile Mountain Bike

8:00 $15 “Doggie Dash” 5K Fun Run

10:00 $25 “Dirt Dogs” - 13 mile Mountain Bike Race

10:00 “Walk for the Animals” - Lap the lake to honor our furry

friends

8:00-11:00 “Puppy Bowl” Kids Obstacle Course

(13 & under – medals for finishers)

* Dogs must be on a leash

* Add $5 for race day registration

* Great prizes for top male & female in each event

* Camping reservations call 661-822-3228

(special rates available, free hot showers!!! for more info see

www.tvrpd.org )

* Stay and play the afternoon away at Kohnen’s Country Bakery Oktoberfest for more information contact www.kohnenscountrybakery.com

or call them at (661) 822-3350

For more information about this event contact Marilyn White at copper93561@yahoo.com

or call her at (661) 823-7725

Sign up online at Active.com

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Beardsley Wins the Female 20-29 10k at HATM

Amanda ran a very good time but I do not recognize her name. In second was Brooklan (see photo), who is starting her comeback after have a son a couple years ago. She currently has the fastest BTC summer series time and is looking forward to return to the track next.

This summer she was entered in the BC Track & Cross Country Hall of Fame. Brooklan Grimes Rosales was the 2004 Western State Conference, Southern California and state champion in the 1,500 meters who holds BC's school record in the event. Brittany and Brooklan are the only sisters in state JC history to each win the same event in a state meet.

Class: F 10k 20-29 - 10k Female 20-29 10k
1 465 BEARDSLEY, Amanda 29 42:23.9 0
2 428 ROSALES, Brooklan 24 43:45.9 +1:22.0
3 487 SANTILLAN, Rosalina 26 56:11.6 +13:47.7
4 445 BROOKS, Amber 28 58:15.4 +15:51.5
5 446 SILVA, Erica 23 58:19.2 +15:55.3
6 497 SUDERMAN, Emma 21 1:03:14.9 +20:51.0
7 454 ANGELINI, Carole 27 1:06:20.0 +23:56.1
8 485 THORNTON, Stephanie 24 1:07:41.0 +25:17.1
9 391 JUAREZ, Yoli 28 1:11:24.1 +29:00.2
10 494 RUGNAO, Renee 25 1:11:33.4 +29:09.5
11 438 MAYHEW, Kristina 21 1:14:16.4 +31:52.5
12 464 BUENO, Samantha 20 1:14:54.7 +32:30.8
13 456 MUSSATTO, Tanya 28 1:17:46.2 +35:22.3
14 462 LEAK, Shelly 23 1:18:25.5 +36:01.6
15 396 LAMAS, Hannah 26 1:24:07.0 +41:43.1

A Ram Wins the Female 15-19 10k at the HATM

Monica will be a senior this fall at Garces and she has been a top runner in the SEYL for the past couple years. Look for her to challenge Baker (Bakersfield Jr) for the SEYL in cross country and the distance races in track. In third was Shuford of Bakersfield who will be helping Baker in their prusuit of a second team title in three years in the SEYL.

I believe second place ran for Ridgeview and helped her team win a Valley cross country title last fall.

Class: F 10k 15-19 - 10k Female 15-19 10k
1 430 GUZMAN, Monica 16 46:04.6 0
2 422 GONZALEZ, Linda 17 48:44.6 +2:40.0
3 401 SHUFORD, Emily 16 50:45.7 +4:41.1

Friday, July 17, 2009

Mr. Triathlon - Mike Toland Wins the Male 50-59 10k at HATM

Besides being a good triathlete, Mike can take car of business in the run too. In second, was 59 year old Klaus who ran a very good time and I am sure he can not wait to turn 60. many of you know Klaus even if you do not. He is the really tan shirtless guys at almost every local race.


Class: M 10k 50-59 - 10k Male 50-59 10k
1 397 TOLAND, Mike 53 44:08.8 0
2 489 BENAMY-HACKEL, Klaus 59 47:55.2 +3:46.4
3 423 WITWER, Todd 54 49:15.8 +5:07.0
4 431 PURCELL, Ray 52 49:40.4 +5:31.6
5 418 ECHOLS, Don 59 52:12.3 +8:03.5
6 425 DECASAS, Adolfo 55 52:35.4 +8:26.6
7 416 COOMBER, Jeff 50 59:07.6 +14:58.8
8 498 SUDERMAN, David 52 59:59.6 +15:50.8
9 437 MAYHEW, Warren 50 1:14:14.7 +30:05.9
10 470 BYERS, Richard 53 1:18:32.1 +34:23.3
11 420 JOHNSTON, Michael 50 1:22:17.8 +38:09.0
12 493 KOHL, Jeff 51 1:28:49.9 +44:41.1

Headphones a factor in runner's accident, police say


Headphones a factor in runner's accident, police say


| Friday, Jul 17 2009 07:10 AM

These things we know.

It was dark when the 17-year-old runner slipped into the path of an oncoming car Saturday night.

The bridge over Calloway Drive, where the speed limit is 55 mph, had no street lights. The moon wouldn't rise for another hour.

A fork in the 10k course along Bakersfield's Kern River bike path wasn't marked when the runner headed up the wrong path around 9:15 p.m.. The 17-year-old hadn't previously run that portion of the trail.

And he had headphones on.

The headphones, police say, were a contributing factor in the accident, which critically injured the teen. (He's now stable and recovering.)

On Thursday, the incident sparked heated discussion on the Web site of national magazine Runner's World, where Executive Editor Mark Remy received more than 100 responses to his blog post about headphones and safety based on the Bakersfield tale.

Runners and headphones enjoy a powerful and sometimes troublesome symbiosis.

Some runners need music for company, distraction and inspiration. Others want to hear footsteps and breathing -- and the world around them, with its beauties and dangers.

Michael Taylor, 54, president of the Bakersfield Track Club, said headphones are commonplace along with annoyances they create.

A runner trying to go around another often isn't heard. On the bike path, bells or shouts from approaching cyclists fall on music-deafened ears.

Running is "a world you need all of your senses in," Taylor said.

PHONES ON THE RUN

Still, the group allows headphones at the dozen or so events it holds around town annually. Some clubs ban them, he said, but that's not common practice.

Taylor himself currently doesn't use headphones, but his daughter just bought him an iPod and he looks forward to low-volume accompaniment.

Bakersfield runner Lisa Sorensen, 36, likes punk and dance music on her runs. She has playlists for common distances -- 5k, 10k, half-marathons and marathons -- but keeps volume low enough to hear shouts and whistles.

"It helps me stay focused and not hear myself breathing," Sorensen said. "Plus it keeps chatty runners from talking to me."

BEHIND THE WHEEL

It happened without warning.

Casey Geiger, 19, was driving south on Calloway in his mother's Honda Accord Saturday night, headed to his home near Ming Avenue and Ashe Road.

As he crossed the bridge approaching the light at Stockdale Highway, he'd slowed to about 45.

Boom.

"He darted in front of my car," Geiger said. "I didn't see him until I hit him."

He'd smoked pot that evening, about an hour or two before, Geiger said, but not very much. He doesn't feel it played a part in what happened. He wasn't talking, texting or fiddling with his car radio.

The accident was a shock, he said, still surreal and unbelievable when he woke up the next morning.

"I'm so sorry this happened. I feel bad for him," Geiger said.

After the impact, he made a U-turn at Stockdale to check on the runner.

"I was the first one to call 911," he said.

ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Saturday's nighttime run was a fundraiser for the Bakersfield Police Department's K-9 unit.

Detective Mary DeGeare said the 17-year-old is from Qatar, an Arab emirate in the Persian Gulf, and was in Bakersfield visiting relatives.

The investigation isn't finished, DeGeare said, but some details are known.

The teen has run in the Bakersfield area previously, but hadn't been on that section of the bike path.

The teen wore reflective shoes but had on dark clothing.

The driver's speed, estimated at 45-55 mph, was reasonable for the conditions.

Investigators are still awaiting results of the driver's blood test and technical studies related to the scene.

The teen is doing better, but hasn't yet been able to talk to police, she said.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Galvin Wins Again - Dominates the Male 30-39 10k at HATM Too!


For quite some time now, if their is a local race and Galvin shows up, everyone else is running for second place. Of course, Galvin is a two time high school individual state cross country champ from Mcfarland so he has been winning for a long time. He also trains with the McFarland team quite a bit and the Cougars have not beat him yet. If you would like to see where Mcfarland trains, please attend their summer series. Their next race is Tuesday, more info HERE.

Class: M 10k 30-39 - 10k Male 30-39 10k
1 426 GONZALEZ, Galvin 32 33:27.5 0
2 484 DIRKSE, Steve 39 40:03.3 +6:35.8
3 479 BINGHAM, Freddie 35 43:28.0 +10:00.5
4 413 CASTILLO, Pablo 35 47:29.1 +14:01.6
5 419 ROGERS, Thomas 33 48:19.9 +14:52.4
6 395 TREMBLAY, Matt 38 49:09.8 +15:42.3
7 427 GURON, Joseph 31 55:25.6 +21:58.1
8 449 WEBB, Jason 35 56:45.9 +23:18.4
9 421 RAMIREZ, Daniel 37 57:56.7 +24:29.2
10 393 ORANTES, Jose 34 1:01:22.4 +27:54.9
11 379 WEBDELL, Thomas 38 1:06:54.4 +33:26.9
12 458 ESPINOZA, Mario 35 1:08:52.0 +35:24.5
13 300 GONZALES, Armando 35 1:12:45.9 +39:18.4
14 299 CASE, Mike 35 1:15:29.3 +42:01.8

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Bacus wins the Male 20-29 10k at the HATM

David is always at the front of any race and that was case at the Howlin' too. He was third overall in the 10k. In 7th was Ewing who is the Californian high school sports beat reporter who does an excellent job covering cross country and track.

Class: M 10k 20-29 - 10k Male 20-29 10k
1 481 BACUS, David 24 34:52.4 0
2 394 ARZOLA, Ismael 20 36:58.0 +2:05.6
3 399 HURT, Brian 25 42:24.3 +7:31.9
4 398 RAMIREZ, Michael 28 43:17.7 +8:25.3
5 477 LOUIE, Kevin 23 46:10.0 +11:17.6
6 400 MCQUIRE, Kyle 24 47:59.2 +13:06.8
7 386 EWING, Zack 24 48:34.9 +13:42.5
8 491 PLOTNER, Dallas 27 49:53.6 +15:01.2
9 450 TOMONO, Kiyoshi 29 52:15.3 +17:22.9
10 469 VALENCIA, Jesse 25 55:22.0 +20:29.6
11 457 JEFFERY, Derek 29 55:46.6 +20:54.2
12 389 MARTIN, Matt 29 57:00.7 +22:08.3
13 388 CORREA, Angel 25 58:16.3 +23:23.9
14 390 MATTHEW, Charles 27 59:41.4 +24:49.0
15 486 THORNTON, Sean 22 1:02:23.9 +27:31.5
16 440 RAMIREZ, Jose 24 1:05:03.8 +30:11.4
17 496 PRATT, Jared 21 1:08:52.4 +34:00.0
18 495 LOPEZ, Benjamin 23 1:11:35.5 +36:43.1
19 411 MOORE, Chris 28 1:12:36.5 +37:44.1
20 404 TRIPP, Terry 28 1:12:37.8 +37:45.4
21 381 AMES, Matt 25 1:14:49.3 +39:56.9
22 471 BYERS, Jeremy 28 1:18:37.7 +43:45.3
23 387 VELAZQUEZ, Eli 29 1:24:06.2 +49:13.8

Cesar wins the Male 15-19 10k at the HATM

Mireles (Golden Valley / BC) easily won this race by over 4 minutes over the 2009 state 3200 champ Chris Schwartz (Foothill / Cal Poly SLO). The athlete who was hit by a car was in this age group.

Class: M 10k 15-19 - 10k Male 15-19 10k
1 392 MIRELES, Cesar 19 34:10.7 0
2 442 SCHWARTZ, Christopher 19 38:35.4 +4:24.7
3 433 SCLAFANI, Dustin 15 44:02.0 +9:51.3
4 417 LOCKWOOD, Bryson 16 47:28.4 +13:17.7
5 441 BEARD, Thomas 17 48:35.7 +14:25.0
6 443 RAMIREZ, Joel 15 1:18:33.9 +44:23.2

Boyles wins by over 6 minutes in the Female 40-49 5k at the HATM


Right on the heels of a girl who is half her age for the overall win is nothing new for Pam. Of course, often she is the one being chased by the younger women and a lot of men too. Pam has been dominating whatever age group she is in for decades and I am sure she will in the future. She is a member of the Donut Shop Crew too and her husband is the CSUB cross country and track coach.

In 10th place, was Danette Baker who PRed in 32:02 and is the mom of third place overall Robby, who is a standout runner for Ridgeview. Her son's participation in our sport got her running.

Class: F 5k 40-49 - 5k Female 40-49 5k
1 258 BOYLES, Pam 44 20:52.8 0
2 188 TEMPERINI, Maria 48 27:05.6 +6:12.8
3 490 GREESON, Lynda 46 28:00.9 +7:08.1
4 57 WILSON, Christine 45 28:50.3 +7:57.5
5 162 BUTLER, Kam 40 29:07.1 +8:14.3
6 76 DURBIN, Cindy 46 29:43.9 +8:51.1
7 7 REED, Melanie 41 30:17.1 +9:24.3
8 93 RAMIREZ, Lorraine 48 31:34.7 +10:41.9
9 159 MANZANO, Lisa 42 31:35.3 +10:42.5
10 148 BAKER, Danette 41 32:02.2 +11:09.4
11 58 MARTIN, Laura 49 32:08.8 +11:16.0
12 320 FRAUSTO, Elisa 44 32:28.7 +11:35.9
13 276 SERDA, Yolanda 48 33:24.3 +12:31.5
14 267 RAMOS, Cece 40 35:50.4 +14:57.6
15 137 ROSALES, Maria 42 36:18.4 +15:25.6
16 168 MONTANIO, Julieta 40 37:07.4 +16:14.6
17 237 HALL, Danette 43 37:15.5 +16:22.7
18 60 FLEMING, Robin 45 37:35.5 +16:42.7
19 172 SCHILLER, Dorenda 44 37:36.5 +16:43.7
20 171 MARCUS, Mary 40 37:49.1 +16:56.3
21 89 MORALES, Laura 46 37:58.7 +17:05.9
22 322 KELLEY, Kim 42 39:16.9 +18:24.1
23 212 TURPIN, Dawn 44 39:25.5 +18:32.7
24 96 WAHL, Cheryl 49 39:45.5 +18:52.7
25 152 WITTMAN, Cheryl 44 40:12.0 +19:19.2
26 223 GALLAND, Julie 42 41:00.1 +20:07.3
27 193 WILSON, Diana 49 41:34.3 +20:41.5
28 102 PARNELL, Gwen 40 41:34.8 +20:42.0
29 101 COON, Saundra 44 42:12.9 +21:20.1
30 15 WALTERS, Beth 49 45:00.3 +24:07.5
31 108 LABARRON, Mercy 46 46:08.6 +25:15.8
32 17 BARLOW, Joni 49 48:05.4 +27:12.6
33 21 BERRY, Nadine 40 49:07.1 +28:14.3
34 215 CUSHNYR, Teresa 44 53:19.0 +32:26.2
35 209 IMHOF, Petra 49 1:08:33.7 +47:40.9

Lina Nunez wins the Female 20-29 5k at HATM


Lina also did the Pier / Howlin' double. She medal at the Rock to Pier in the morning and won her age group in the evening. Her CSUB teammate Connie, came in second out of 36 ladies in this age group.

Class: F 5k 20-29 - 5k Female 20-29 5k
1 116 NUNEZ, Lina 21 20:45.0 0
2 301 KING, Connie 21 22:30.0 +1:45.0
3 73 GUTIERREZ, Azucena 24 24:05.3 +3:20.3
4 178 CONDIE, Vanessa 21 25:00.8 +4:15.8
5 74 BACUS, Cassandra 21 27:23.3 +6:38.3
6 80 STILLWELL, Jennifer 22 27:29.8 +6:44.8
7 150 ELLEBRACHT, Meghan 21 28:05.8 +7:20.8
8 79 QUIROZ, Vanessa 25 28:29.8 +7:44.8
9 113 LEWIS, Sarah 29 30:00.6 +9:15.6
10 316 EWING, Ellen 27 30:38.3 +9:53.3
11 87 GONZALEZ, Erica 27 30:52.5 +10:07.5
12 47 BEARD, Michaela 23 31:50.1 +11:05.1
13 247 BURGESS, Rebecca 25 31:51.3 +11:06.3
14 25 GREESON, Jayme 24 32:09.6 +11:24.6
15 297 GUTIERREZ, Karina 24 33:26.8 +12:41.8
16 298 GONZALEZ, Melissa 25 33:48.3 +13:03.3
17 11 OCHOA, Rosi 26 34:34.8 +13:49.8
18 22 TRUJILLO, Katia 22 35:18.5 +14:33.5
19 225 SCHAEFER, Kimberly 28 35:40.9 +14:55.9
20 28 PLOTNER, Kate 28 36:38.1 +15:53.1
21 323 PARKER, Amy 28 39:33.4 +18:48.4
22 303 COLAHAN SEDERSTROM, 29 39:49.7 +19:04.7
23 192 COX, Courtney 20 40:01.3 +19:16.3
24 23 MIL, Stephanie 26 40:25.0 +19:40.0
25 271 BONNER, Shannon 29 40:32.1 +19:47.1
26 124 HERNANDEZ, Nicolyn 29 40:35.7 +19:50.7
27 273 GAMON, Monica 29 41:39.0 +20:54.0
28 125 LEAK, Erin 26 41:46.0 +21:01.0
29 190 WILSON, Michelle 27 42:15.6 +21:30.6
30 196 SHARETTE, Barbara 25 42:19.8 +21:34.8
31 283 MORALES, Brittany 20 42:34.0 +21:49.0
32 202 BARRON, Mariss 29 43:24.2 +22:39.2
33 241 KROEKER, Dana 28 45:08.8 +24:23.8
34 262 BOLANOS, Danielle 27 45:36.1 +24:51.1
35 251 HALDZE, Kira 21 46:48.9 +26:03.9
36 105 WILSON, Krystina 24 1:01:58.9 +41:13.9

It's a Family Affair

It's a family affair
It's a family affair

Besides all the families running like the Bakers (Two clans of Bakers, see Robby in photo), Lermas, Wykoffs and many others. Their is another large family out there. The family of high school and college runners is large and growing at the BTC summer series.

Year after year the family grows and becomes closer too. Athletes from rival schools get to hang out and trade training lows and highs. Having a large friendly and positive running scene is good for everyone. Sure there is some serious competition but it is all done in good fun.

Plus just knowing their others out there with your passion for our sport is such a good feeling. It makes going out and putting in the work that is needed that much easier. Their is a kinship that only distance runners can understand because they have been there and done that.

I think this scene is starting to show results too. At the Rock to Pier, Bakersfield had 4 athletes in the top ten and of course the winner was Taft's own Billy Nelson (2008 Olympian in the steeplechase) so that makes five from Kern County.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

McFarland Girls swept the 15 - 19 age group

I know 1st and 2nd are from McFarland and I assuming the third girl is too. This fall expectations are high for the Lady Cougars and they hope to get a valley title like the boys do every year.

Class: F 5k 15-19 - 5k Female 15-19 5k
1 180 GARCIA, Corina 15 21:29.0 0
2 179 TORRES, Kathy 15 23:13.6 +1:44.6
3 187 CASTRO, Gabby 17 25:50.1 +4:21.1
4 228 SCRIVANO, Sarah 16 26:18.9 +4:49.9
5 59 DRAVIS, Maddy 18 30:08.8 +8:39.8
6 62 DIAZ, Argelia 19 30:28.9 +8:59.9
7 161 BENITEZ, Elizabeth 16 31:03.4 +9:34.4
8 244 BARRON, Chelsea 17 31:32.5 +10:03.5
9 250 HELM, Brooke 15 32:23.0 +10:54.0
10 201 ROY, Alexis 19 34:08.9 +12:39.9
11 236 HADDAD, Chelsea 18 37:31.5 +16:02.5
12 91 MORALES, Olivia 19 37:37.4 +16:08.4
13 127 ORTIZ, Karyn 17 38:03.9 +16:34.9
14 153 WITTMAN, Jessica 19 40:11.5 +18:42.5
15 166 GALINDO, Jessica 15 55:37.9 +34:08.9

Female 14 and Under 5k at HATM was won by Andie Condie

Andie ran a very good time for a 12 year old. She is a very good track athlete and just recently returned to the states after spending six years in the middle east.

Her times in a recent Cairo, Egypt meet were 11:14 (3K), 2:34 (800m), and 5:20 (1500m).

Class: F 5k 14 Under - 5k Female 14 and Under 5k
1 177 CONDIE, Andie 12 23:51.2 0
2 184 ARGUELLO, Megan 14 29:59.1 +6:07.9
3 238 SHUFORD, Rachel 14 32:22.1 +8:30.9
4 115 MORRISON, Mackenzie 14 32:35.0 +8:43.8
5 111 TESCH, Hannah 8 33:38.3 +9:47.1
6 408 REESE, Chevelle 14 36:54.3 +13:03.1
7 220 GALLAND, Emily 14 38:36.2 +14:45.0
8 327 WAVESPACK, Maggie 9 39:43.8 +15:52.6
9 329 WAVESPACK, Ellie 5 39:46.9 +15:55.7
10 92 PARNELL, Gail 13 41:01.1 +17:09.9
11 305 ROUS, Caroline 6 1:06:22.8 +42:31.6

A New Sandbox for Mr. Hatley - He wins Male 50-59 5k at HATM

Deeter and Weinmann (see photo) have been ruling the 50 - 59 sandbox but now Carl has joined them. Deeter ran the Rock the Pier and won his age group and Carl took the Howlin' 5k with a nice sub twenty performance.

I have called him Mr Hatley ever since last fall's youth cross country meet. Carl coaches a large group of kids from Lamont and at the meet, they had an adult race before the kids races. As Mr. Hatley ran the multi-looped course, his athletes ran about cheering him on with "Go Mr. Hatley!, Go Mr. Hatley!"

Class: M 5k 50-59 - 5k Male 50-59 5k
1 257 HATLEY, Carl 50 19:56.0 0
2 254 WEINMANN, Cregg 53 20:34.0 +38.0
3 274 RIEL, David 56 21:28.5 +1:32.5
4 39 LECRONE, Scott 57 22:22.6 +2:26.6
5 140 FLORES, James 50 22:24.2 +2:28.2
6 53 BEESON, Dale 53 22:39.4 +2:43.4
7 30 WHITAKER, Wally 55 23:45.9 +3:49.9
8 163 GRUNDIES, Glen 50 25:01.2 +5:05.2
9 290 BERCKES, Ken 52 25:27.7 +5:31.7
10 55 RICHARDSON, Don 51 25:37.0 +5:41.0
11 145 NEWMAN, Stanley 51 26:28.9 +6:32.9
12 248 BURKE, Steve 52 27:08.9 +7:12.9
13 12 BURICH, David 52 28:12.2 +8:16.2
14 213 CASTRO, Nelson 56 28:25.2 +8:29.2
15 41 SEGURA, Pedro 51 29:39.4 +9:43.4
16 256 HANSON, Mike 57 31:58.6 +12:02.6
17 289 NANCE, Rod 55 32:02.8 +12:06.8
18 170 TERRY, Richard 52 32:18.3 +12:22.3
19 164 EDWARDS, David 51 33:20.2 +13:24.2
20 139 ALVIDREZ, Andy 59 34:01.7 +14:05.7
21 142 LEWIS, Michael 56 35:15.8 +15:19.8
22 191 WILSON, Bob 50 39:28.8 +19:32.8
23 157 ERIC, Bollier 53 39:32.6 +19:36.6
24 104 WAHL, Brad 50 39:46.0 +19:50.0
25 265 GUICE, Rod 54 42:51.1 +22:55.1
26 318 DURAN, Ron 54 44:34.0 +24:38.0
27 36 WALTERS, Steve 55 44:53.4 +24:57.4
28 214 BURCH, John 58 47:47.6 +27:51.6
29 122 HERNANDEZ, Able 55 48:45.2 +28:49.2
30 313 SCHWARTZ, Richard 59 51:11.8 +31:15.8

Setser wins Male 30 to 39 at the HATM

Fresh off a 200 mile hike through the Sierra Nevada, Coach Setzer (Ridgeview) out ran the McFarland coach by over a minute.

Adam (blue shirt in photo) had a very good year and his future looks bright too. His boys and girls XC teams won SWYL titles and his girls won a valley crown in 2008 too. In track, his boys won a SWYL and were very competitve in the valley track team competition.

When speaking of valley titles, McFarland has been winning them forever and Coach Ayon has continued the tradition of Coach Jim White who won nine state titles with McFarland. In 2005 they came in 5th at state, 2006 - 4th, 2007 - 3rd and in 2008 they came in 2nd. So this should be their year!

If you would like to support the Mcfarland team, please go run their summer series and race of champions.

Male 30-39 5k
1 263 SETSER, Adam 36 21:19.2 0
2 207 AMADOR, Ayon 39 22:45.6 +1:26.4
3 218 RAMIREZ, Francisco 38 23:36.3 +2:17.1
4 42 SMITH, Scott 38 24:24.8 +3:05.6
5 133 JAQUEZ, Tony 33 24:26.3 +3:07.1
6 19 GOODSPEED, Brent 35 25:10.2 +3:51.0
7 143 LINDSEY, Kirby 39 25:11.8 +3:52.6
8 165 SWAT, BPD 35 26:41.9 +5:22.7
9 272 GILDNER, Justin 37 26:44.0 +5:24.8
10 275 MARCIA, Roderick 38 26:55.6 +5:36.4
11 243 BARRON, Jesse 39 28:21.3 +7:02.1
12 65 WOESSNER, Mason 33 33:05.6 +11:46.4
13 99 CAMPBELL, Matt 30 34:24.4 +13:05.2
14 199 MYERS, Kirk 33 35:10.6 +13:51.4
15 309 PEARSON, Bryan 31 35:15.2 +13:56.0
16 156 GONZALEZ, Xavier 35 37:13.7 +15:54.5
17 141 KENNY, Sean 38 37:29.3 +16:10.1
18 234 MAZZONI, Stefano 30 38:49.8 +17:30.6
19 269 FEILLE, Bill 38 43:58.1 +22:38.9
20 210 GOMEZ, Armando 38 1:06:14.4 +44:55.2

Male 20-29 5k at HATM was Won by Lucker

Lucker also pulled the Rock to Pier / Howlin double with a fourth in the morning and a first overall in the evening. His 16:04 in the evening was a very good time even without all the traveling and the six hard miles in the morning.

Ryan runs for CSUB which because of Title Nine does not have a men's cross country team so Lucker only gets to compete in track. Lucker ran for Stockdale in high school and was telling us how unlucky he was with division changes.

When he started at Stockdale, they were D2 and then moved to D1. As any Driller can tell you, it is super hard to make state in D1 as a team (impossible) or individual. The lower divisions are a lot easier. Then at CSUB, they have moved from D2 to D1 but what can a guy do.

In second was his teammate in 17 flat. Third was three minus behind Lee.

Class: M 5k 20-29 - 5k Male 20-29 5k
1 296 LUCKER, Ryan 22 16:04.2 0
2 292 LEE, Edward 22 17:00.5 +56.3
3 245 EUCCE, Chris 25 20:04.7 +4:00.5
4 235 SALAZAR, Ty 26 21:31.3 +5:27.1
5 14 SMITH, Tom 24 24:17.0 +8:12.8
6 281 GRANUCCI, Matthew 26 25:03.7 +8:59.5
7 94 ROBERTS, Scott 21 26:37.9 +10:33.7
8 160 SOTO, James 28 28:13.1 +12:08.9
9 232 NEWMAN, Daniel 22 29:38.7 +13:34.5
10 282 AQUINO, Larry 23 30:07.2 +14:03.0
11 88 HALLUM, Ryan 23 32:34.2 +16:30.0
12 173 GARCIA, Eddie 29 35:48.6 +19:44.4
13 252 BASSETT, Tyler 20 46:12.2 +30:08.0

Male 15-19 5k at HATM 09 was won by Oscar Fuentes in 16:35

Oscar ran for East and will be a sophomore at Cal Poly SLO this fall. He pulled of a nice double with a 7th place finish at the Rock to Pier in the morning and then took second overall at the HATM 5k in the evening.

In second was Robby (see thumbs up guy) who will be a senior this year at Ridgeview. His squad won SWYL and just missed going to state as a team. Robby made the state XC as an individual. In 6th and 7th were a couple of his teammates as well. Triandous is a very good 400 runner and it is good to see him running a 5k so well. He and Robby helped Ridgeview win a SWYL track till this year too.

Another sprinter type of sorts who came in 8th was Ariel, who made it to valley in the 300 hurdles this year. He also ran XC for Highland and was often the important 5th man on the squad. He will running for BC this fall.

often mcFarland shows up to this event in numbers but this year, their coaches ran and only one athlete did. Calvo came in 4th.

In 5th, was Damon Sandles who will be a junior at Golden Valley and with the graduation of the 900 lb gorilla (Chris Schwartz), has a shot at an individual SEYL title this fall.

In 11th, was Burke of Stockdale (Jr) who was one of the top 800 runners around this year. He was consistently under two minutes for the two lap event.

Class: M 5k 15-19 - 5k Male 15-19 5k
1 463 FUENTES, Oscar 19 16:35.2 0
2 149 BAKER, Robby 17 16:37.4 +2.2
3 70 WHITEHEAD, Josh 18 17:28.5 +53.3
4 311 SANDLES, David 15 18:25.9 +1:50.7
5 206 BRYAN, Calvo 17 18:52.9 +2:17.7
6 186 HOBSON, Triandous 17 19:05.3 +2:30.1
7 279 HERNANDEZ, Chris 17 19:08.8 +2:33.6
8 194 HURTADO, Ariel 18 19:41.5 +3:06.3
9 138 TENNEY, Mitch 15 19:48.6 +3:13.4
10 90 MORALES, Max 16 21:21.1 +4:45.9
11 249 BURKE, Stephen 16 22:03.3 +5:28.1
12 69 JOHNSON, Keenan 18 22:15.6 +5:40.4
13 40 LECRONE, Merritt 19 22:16.3 +5:41.1
14 68 WHITEHEAD, Seth 15 22:47.0 +6:11.8
15 205 PITCHER, Ryan 18 22:56.7 +6:21.5
16 66 NIEDERHAUS, Will 15 23:01.6 +6:26.4

Male 14 and Under 5k at HATM 09 was won by Elber Fuentes

Elber (Cousin of Oscar and will be a freshman at East this fall.) ran a very good time for a 13 year old over a fairly large field of 19 athletes. In fourth, was Scrivano (his three siblings have also run cross country for the Drillers) who will be running for BHS this fall and in 6th was Van Matre who will be a future Driller following in his brother David's footsteps.

Place Bib Name Age Time Behind
Class: M 5k 14 Under - 5k Male 14 and Under 5k
1 231 FUENTES, Elber 13 18:56.5 0
2 128 SAMORA, Nathan 14 20:06.0 +1:09.5
3 78 MULLEN, Troy 14 20:17.2 +1:20.7
4 227 SCRIVANO, Kevin 14 21:10.2 +2:13.7
5 83 BARTON, Derrick 14 22:28.6 +3:32.1
6 277 VAN MATRE, Scott 13 23:27.2 +4:30.7
7 175 REEVES, Derek 14 25:00.3 +6:03.8
8 307 ROUS, Charlie 8 25:40.9 +6:44.4
9 306 ROUS, Parker 9 25:42.5 +6:46.0
10 224 NEWMAN, Thomas 14 26:03.8 +7:07.3
11 240 CASTRO, Joseph 10 26:26.5 +7:30.0
12 221 GALLAND, Alex 12 29:26.6 +10:30.1
13 294 GILBERT, Josh 13 29:38.0 +10:41.5
14 260 SCOGGINS, Austin 14 29:46.0 +10:49.5
15 49 CHIVINGTON, Jacob 9 32:59.8 +14:03.3
16 200 BEY, Ryan 11 35:17.8 +16:21.3
17 328 WAVESPACK, Jack 7 39:52.1 +20:55.6
18 86 COON, Ethan 9 46:07.7 +27:11.2
19 100 COON, Parker 12 49:01.2 +30:04.7

Hits Close To Home ...

After my 17 year old son had finished the 10k and braved the long ling for water, we decided to leave the Howlin' at the Moon race before the awards were presented. As we headed home on Stockdale, we noticed that one could not turn left on Calloway and there were quite a few police in the area. We figured there was a fender bender and went on our way home.

The first I heard of what happen was from Robby Baker's mom who wrote me about the tradegy. We knew it was a 17 year old boy and that he was hit by a car and was in critical condition. Immediately, I did a quick roll call of all the local athletes I knew that fit the description and was certain it was not any I knew.

Later media reports said he was from out of the country and I thought oh no. Back in May, a real nice parent contacted me about my club the Bakersfield Distance Project. The family was from Bakersfield but had lived in Doha, Quater (working for an oil company) for the past six years and was looking for a club for their 12 year old daughter to train and compete with.

We exchanged emails and I refered them to a group to train with when they got back to Bakersfield on June 26th. Less then three weeks after arriving back in the states, this horrible accident happen.

In their emails, they did not mention their son, but the pieces came together. I saw their daughter finish the 5k and the victim had just returned to the states. So I was pretty certain who it was. Then on Monday, local media contacted me about the accident and asked if I had any photos of the 17 year old.

Usually I would of because I try to shoot everyone in the race from several locations but my cameras do not work well in the dark and it was really dark out there. I also found out the name of the victim but I believe the media has the spelling of the last name wrong. I have chosen not to publish his name.

When I did google his name, I did find track meet results for him back in 2002 and he was a good age group distance runner before his family left the states. So he was an experienced runner and came from a family that participated and supported athletics.

What exactly happen that night may never be known, but it was a perfect storm of sorts. One can only hope he makes a complete recovery and that lessons are learned from this accident.

Teen Critically Injured During "Fun Run"


A teenager was critically injured Saturday during the Howlin' at the Moon Run fundraiser for Bakersfield Police Department's K-9 unit. Friends of the boy's family say he is in critical condition after accidently running off the course the family says wasn't clearly marked.

For eight years, the Howlin' at the Moon run has been a “fun run” to raise money for the Bakersfield Police Department’s K-9 Unit. It takes place after the sun goes down, but this year's run ended with sirens and bright lights.

Chancell Tyler Conde, 17, was running along the course and took a wrong turn, ending up on the busy intersection of Calloway Drive near Stockdale Highway. He was struck by a car.

A friend of the family says Conde is an experienced runner but didn't know the race course well because he lives in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar most of the year.

Detective Mary DeGeare of the Bakersfield Police Department says glow necklaces were used to help light the way.

“The course was marked with these glow necklaces so at points on the course where it was very dark the glow necklaces were supposed to guide the way,” DeGeare said. “The investigation is ongoing so we don’t know why he went up to Calloway Drive but certainly if we have the race next year we will make modifications.”

Runners told 17 News the glow necklaces were missing when they reached the forked pathways, and the teenager was just one of many who went off course. Most of the runners who spoke to 17 News were from the area and knew the path well but were still confused when they reached the split paths because it was so dark out. Several othere runners reportedly picked up the glow necklaces while the race was ongoing, making it hard to see which path was correct.

Bill Dolan has been riding on the path since the late 80s and rides on the path at night only if he has his bike light attached.

“Because there's no lights around here it really is hard for a bicyclist without a headlight,” Dolan explained. “A runner might get by but I can see how they could miss things that they need to see here.”

Dolan says at planned night-time events, like the run, extra signs, volunteers, or lights should be put in place to direct runners to the right path.

Police say the driver who struck Conde was 19-year old Casey Geiger. Geiger, suspected of being under the influence of marijuana, was tested and released pending the drug test results.

Online court records show Geiger pled no contest to charges from a misdemeanor battery arrest last year and was arrested in October on suspicion of misdemeanor possession and use of a controlled substance.

A family friend of the Condes tells 17News Chancell Conde is in critical condition at Kern Medical Center and will be in surgery late tonight or tomorrow.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Junior Olympic track results - Saturday's results


Saturday's results

At Liberty High School

Girls

800

Bantam--1. Julia Bounds, Unattached-PA, 2:34.55; Talley Hill, San Luis Distance, 2:35.63; 3. Grace Brown, Diablo Valley, 2:41.43. Midget--1. Chloe Jenkins, 3M Track Club, 2:22.04; 2. Tianna Smith, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 2:26.40; 3. Dariya Smith, Unattached-PA, 2:32.60. Youth--1. Olivia Rintala, LSI Sprint, 2:19.80; 2. Nijae Jones, E.O.Y.D.C., 2:19.93; 3. Aida Julien, 3M Track Club, 2:20.75.

3,000

Midget--1. Christine Bayliss, Roseville PAL, 10:28.2; 2. Priscilla Lee, Umoja TC, 11:35.1; 3. Dianitza Diaz, McFarland TC, 11:43.8. Youth--1. Clare Carroll, Roseville PAL, 10:23.3; 2. Sophie Hartley, Pleasonton Heat, 10:35.2; 3. Michelle Pouquette, Unattached-PA, 10:41.1. Intermediate--1. Anna Marggraff, Diablo Valley, 11:45.2; 2. Erika Sosa, Unattached-PA, 11:46.1.

4X100 RELAY

Bantam--1. C.A. Track Club 'A', 56.92; 2. Peninsula Youth Cheetahs 'A', 1:00.57; 3. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 1:00.75. Midget--1. Central Valley Roadrunners 'A', 54.74; 2. Umoja TC 'A', 57.28. Youth--1. 3M Track Club 'A', 50.28; 2. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 51.51; 3. Umoja TC 'A', 52.74. Intermediate--1. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 49.04; 2. Stockton Saints 'A', 51.38. Young women--1. Flying Jaguars Track Club 'A', 47.48; 2. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 48.78; 3. Flying Jaguars Track Club 'B', 49.89.

SHOT PUT

Bantam--1. Veronica Flores, Central Valley, 23-4; 2. Jade McDowell, Umoja TC, 22-10; 3. Olivia Vasquez, Central CA, 20-10.5. Midget--1. Briaunna Caver, Central, 31-0.5; 2. Taujay King, Stockton Saints, 29-6.75; 3. Ashley Harper, City Track, 29-1.75

JAVELIN

Bantam--1. Olivia Vasquez, Central CA, 69-8; 2. Cerah Moren, Central Valley, 67-3; 3. Maya Peterson-Bailey, City Track, 65-2. Midget--1. Melissa Salinas, Central Valley, 107-2; 2. Camille Johnson, Umoja TC, 87-11; 3. Alexandria Embody, Castro Valley, 43-2.

HIGH JUMP

Bantam--1. Julia Bounds, Unattached-PA, 3-10; 2. Aubrey Stone, Team RAW Track Club, 3-8; 3. Sterling McNeal, Roseville PAL, 3-2.25. Midget--1. Delaney Smith, Sierra Foothill, 4-9; 2. Ally Bryant, Team RAW Track Club, 4-9; Brittany Howery, Central Valley, 4-5. Intermediate--1. Lauren Cardey, Napa Track Club, 4-7.75; 2. Madeleine Dart, Roseville PAL, 4-6; 3. Tahirah Hill, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 4-0.

POLE VAULT

Youth--1. Casey Campos, Central CA, 9-3.33. Intermediate--1. Gabrille Giuliano, Kern Firefighters Activity League, 9-3. Young women--1. Kayla Kamaka, Roseville PAL, 10-3.25; 2. Sophia Coelha, Unattached-PA, 9-3; 3. Colette L'Heureux, Unattached-PA, 9-3.

LONG JUMP

Bantam--1. Cynthia Smith, Umoja TC, 13-6.75; 2. Kirsten Carter, Sacramento Heat, 12-9.5; 3. Sarahvaughn King, 3M Track Club, 12-7.25. Midget--1. Nyela Jones, 3M Track Club, 13-9; 2. Kennedy Jones, Castro Valley, 13-6.25; 3. Alexandria Gregg, Diablo Valley, 13-0.75. Youth--1. Jasmine Lacy, Full Stride, 17-0.75; 2. Janaa Evans, City Track, 17-00.75; 3. Kristen Robinson, C.A. Track Club, 17-0.

Boys

800

Bantam--1. Christian Ricketts, Unattached-PA, 2:33.53; 2. Jason Gomez, LSI Sprint, 2:33.71; 3. Joey Fitzpatrick, Rosedale Racers, 2:34.41. Midget--1. Christion Romeo, McFarland TC, 2:21.86; 2. Dylan Caldwell, 2:33.39; 3. Alexander King, Diablo Valley, 2:24.04. Youth--1. Adler Faulkner, Diablo Valley, 2:04.17; 2. Patrick Cook, Unattached-PA, 2:09.58; 3. Cameron Crippen, Central Valley, 2:10.30.

3,000

Midget--1. Andrew Sartor, Unattached-PA, 10:38.1; 2. Anthony Moronez, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 10:42.5; 3. Carter Mackey, Castro Valley, 11:11.1. Youth--1. Erik Garcia, McFarland, 9:32.1; 2. Brynn Sargent, Central Valley, 9:54.0; 3. Aidan Goltra, Pleasanton Heat, 9:56.0. Intermediate--1. Guillermo Cueva, Salinas Valley, 9:51.3; 2. Tyler Troxel, Pleasanton Heat, 9:53.1; 3. Connor Fisher, Central CA, 10:20.9.

4X100 RELAY

Bantam--1. East Palo Alto Greyhounds 'A', 57.43; 2. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 58.49; 3. Umoja TC 'A', 58.65. Midget--1. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 52.67; 2. Umoja TC 'A', 53.19; 3. Fast Forward VPAL 'A', 54.85. Intermediate--1. Bakersfield Grayhounds 'A', 44.11; 2. Oakland PAL Track Club 'A', 44.30; 3. Alameda County Contra Costa Track 'A', 46.86. Young men--1. Flying Jaguars Track Club 'A', 42.01; 2. Alameda County Contra Costa Track 'A', 42.81; 3. Flying Jaguars Track Club 'B', 43.31.

SHOT PUT

Bantam--1. J'Tayo McDowell, Umoja TC, 25-0.5; 2. Darius Skes-Miller, Flying Jaguars, 23-2.5; 3. Terrance Matthews-Murphy, East Palo Alto, 22-7.75. Midget--1. Daniel Richardson, Team RAW Track Club, 34-3.5; 2. Daniel Richardson, Team RAW Track Club, 33-2; 3. Otis Statum, 3M Track Club, 32-9. Youth--1. Jalen Canty, 3M Track Club, 163-11; 2. Ethan Hoff, Central CA, 139-6; 3. Keenan Smith, Umoja TC, 122-10. Intermediate--1. Travis Baker, Santa Rosa Express, 143-5; 2. Nikolas Tomaz, Castro Valley, 128-6; 3. Jeff Fuentes, Central Valley, 124-6. Young men--1. Amari Harris, Flying Jaguars, 147-6; 2. Jacob Eckel, Castro Valley, 129-9; 3. Laron McCoy, C.A. Track Club, 119-5.

JAVELIN

Bantam--1. Dauson Booker, Central Valley, 96-11; 2. Marquis Pruitt, Mission Valley, 91-4; 3. Bralyn Lux, Umoja TC, 85-11. Midget--1. Armand Shyne, 3M Track Club, 164-6; 2. Otis Statum, 3M Track Club, 128-4; 3. Willie Teo-Clifton, East Palo Alto, 126-10.

HIGH JUMP

Bantam--1. Justin McCall, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 4-4; 2. Marion Brown, Full Stride, 3-7.75. Midget--1. Ian Stuertz, Diabo Valley, 4-9.75; 2. Foncel Williams, Central Valley, 4-7.75; 3. Collin Johnson, Umoja TC, 4-7.75. Intermediate--1. Evan Eggenberg, Kern Firefighters Activity League, 6-0; 2. Alexander Foster, Oakland PAL, 5-10; 3. Noel Frazier, Alameda County, 5-10.

POLE VAULT

Youth--1. Adam Thomas, Unattached-PA, 10-3.25; 2. August Kiles, City Track, 9-3.

LONG JUMP

Bantam--1. Isaiah Nevels, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 13-6.25; 2. Bralyn Lux, Umoja TC, 12-10.5; 3. Dallas Clacsell, Central Valley, 12-9.5. Midget--1. Bryce Gordon, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 16-11.25; 2. Braxton Prince, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 15-7; 3. Ian Stuertz, Diablo Valley, 14-11.25. Youth--1. Tristan McGee, Bakersfield Grayhounds, 19-0; 2. Julius Daniel Elzie, East Palo Alto, 17-11; 3. Nathaniel Moore, 17-8.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Teen runner critically injured during police fundraiser


A 17-year-old runner was critically injured Saturday night while taking part in a fundraising event for the Bakersfield Police Department's K-9 unit.

The teen was hit by a Honda Accord on Calloway Drive, near the intersection with Stockdale Highway, around 9:15 p.m. His name was not released. Police said Sunday he suffered major injuries and was in critical condition at Kern Medical Center.

The driver of the car, 19-year-old Casey Geiger, may have been under the influence of marijuana, police say. Geiger took a blood test and was released pending results.

The nighttime run followed the Kern River bike path after leaving the Park at River Walk at 8:30 p.m. It was the 8th annual Howlin' at the Moon Fun Run.

Police, in their press release, say they don't know why the runner "diverted from the planned route" and ended up on Calloway in the path of an oncoming car.

But Californian sports writer Zach Ewing, who took part in the 10k race and watched the teen head up the wrong fork, said the path was pitch black and confusing at that spot.

"I was totally unsure for about half a second," Ewing said of the unmarked split.

By that time twilight had faded to dark and the only course markings Ewing had seen were glow sticks that occasionally popped up along the way.

The 17-year-old was two spots in front of Ewing when the unmarked fork loomed.

A man between them shouted: "Hey bro, you need to go right," Ewing said.

But the teen apparently didn't hear the advice.

Ewing veered right because the runner in front of him seemed sure of the route. The teen disappeared up the left fork. Just around the turn, Ewing saw a light and knew he was on the correct path.

Less than a minute later, Ewing heard honking, squealing tires, car doors slamming and a female voice saying "Oh my God."

After reaching the finish line, Ewing heard that a runner had been hit on the course.

Online court records show Geiger, the driver, pled no contest to charges from a November 2008 misdemeanor battery arrest; a sentencing hearing is set for December. An October arrest on suspicion of misdemeanor possession and use of a controlled substance was scheduled for a hearing last week and results were not immediately available Sunday.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the traffic investigations unit at 326-3967.