Will She Double Down?

Before she heads off to Oregon for college, the central valley will get to see Jordan run two more times (valley and state). The photo on the left was taken at last year's valley meet at Liberty and is most viewed photo on my flickr account.

Every time I am at a meet that she is running, I never seemed to get good shots. The main reason is at valley cross country, her division runs real early and I seem to get there as she is finishing. Then at track meets, she usually only runs the 3200 and by then the lighting is bad and my cameras do not work well in low light.

But this year's valley, maybe different because she is expected to run the 800 and the light will be better. The 800/3200 double seems to be an odd one since they are fairly close together, the 800 will be at 6:40pm and the 3200 is scheduled to be run at 7:40pm. Usually distance runners do the 1600/3200 double.

Though Jordan has the best time in the 800, Katie Fry (10) is not that far behind and has been improving throughout the season. I first saw her this season at the Buchanan Distance Classic where she won the 800in 2:22. Now she is ten seconds faster.

The battle for the third and last ticket to state should be interesting because there were a lot of girls in the 2:19 to 2:21 range at the area meets. 3rd was 2:19.20 and 9th was 2:21.24 and these nine athletes will be in the fast heat. the tenth through 14th marks range from 2:21.29 to 2:22.37 and will be in the slow heat which is unfortunate for the two Bakersfield athletes who are seeded number 13 and 14.

Sarah Baker (Bakersfield 10) has been under 2:20 in previous races and is such a competitor, that she would have an outside shot at vying for the final state berth if she was in the fast heat. Plus I think that the fourth would qualify for state because I can not see Hasay running the 800 at state especially with the prelims on Friday and the final before the 3200 on Saturday. I think she would drop the 800 and focus on setting the national record in the 3200, like German did last year.

A Kern athlete who did run fast enough at her area meet, is Taft's Megan Thompson who is a good 1600 runner and can hold her own in the open 400. In the end, it will be a race between Fry and Hasay and d it would be nice to see both go under 2:10 and the race for third will be a wild one.

The At-Large standard is: 800m 2:12.33. Which I doubt the fourth fastest girl at the meet will go under.

Event 11 Women 800 Meter Run
Saturday 5/23/2009 - 6:40 PM
Lane Name Yr School Seed Time

Section 1 of 2 Finals
1 Lopez, Cecila North 2:31.71 ______
2 Taylor, Katie 10 Mt. Whitney 2:24.88 ______
3 Delarosa, Alyson Frontier 2:22.37 ______
4 Mejia, Alyssa Clovis 2:21.98 ______
5 Barsarian, Saylah Clovis 2:21.39 ______
6 Bricks, MACY Buchanan 2:21.54 ______
7 Baker, Sarah Bakersfield 2:22.29 ______
8 Armstrong, Jessica Buchanan 2:22.88 ______
9 McATEE, Sarah Liberty 2:31.62 ______

Section 2 of 2 Finals
1 Carrasco, Vanessa 10 Tulare Union 2:21.24 ______
2 Mooney, Annie Miss. Coll. Prep 2:20.27 ______
3 Brown, Alish Madera South 2:19.50 ______
4 Thompson, Megan Taft 2:19.32 ______
5 Hasay, Jordon Miss. Coll. Prep 2:10.42 ______
6 Fry, Katie Exeter 2:12.56 ______
7 Pahkamaa, Molly EL Diamente 2:19.32 ______
8 Nakamura, Jennifer Clovis North 2:20.18 ______
9 Larson, Jeanette 12 Mt. Whitney 2:20.45 ______

Alternates
1 Tildahl, Danielle Tehachapi 2:23.73
2 Van Hofwegen, Kacie Cent. Valley Chr 2:24.07
3 Kurushima, Kacy Clovis East 2:27.70

top marks '09
ss-1 2:10.42a jordan hasay,mission prep-slo  5-13 seq-sie
ss-2 2:12.56a ++katie fry,exeter             5-13 seq-sie
n-1 2:16.38a +alisha brown,madera south      5-1  reedley invit
n-3 2:16.46a ++macy bricks,buchanan-clo      4-17 lemoore
ss-3 2:19.20a +megan thompson,taft           5-13 seq-sie
c-1 2:19.32a +molly pahkamaa,el diamante-vis 5-13 cen area
ss-4 2:20.18a ++jennifer nakamura,clo north  5-13 seq-sie
ss-5 2:20.27a ++annie mooney,mission prep    5-13 seq-sie
c-2 2:20.45a jeanette larsen,mt whitney-vis  5-13 cen area
n-5 2:20.75a +jessica armstrong,buchanan-cl  4-17 lemoore
s-1 2:21.06a ++sarah baker,bakersfield       5-1  reedley
c-3 2:21.24a ++vanessa carrasco,tulare u     5-13 cen area
n-4 2:21.98a ++alyssa mejia,clovis           5-13 no area
s-2 2:22.37a alyson delarosa,frontier-bk     5-13 so area
2:23.73a ++danielle tildahl,tehachapi    5-13 seq-sie-6
2:24.07a ++kacie van hofwegen,CVC-vis    5-13 seq-sie-7
c-4 2:24.88a ++katie taylor,mt whitney-vis 5-13 cen area
2:25.15a ss holly snarr,woodlake         3-27 exeter
s-3 2:25.45a tijerra lynch,ridgeview-bk    4-17 mt sac

Jerried & Jake Return to the Mondo

Three Bakersfield athletes have made the fast heat in this event and two of them have a shot at winning the race out right. Jerrid Lewis (Ridgeview 11) has the fastest time in the valley this season and has been winning 800s all season long. He can wait and out sprint you at the end or as he did at area, take it out hard (54 seconds for the first 400) and run a PR.

Highland's Jake Van Zandt (Highland 11) has been the bridesmaid all season long and has the tools to take down a win at valley. Many local coaches are impressed with Jake and coach Mayberry knows how to get his athletes to a peak at the right time. Plus Jake has his teammate in the race with him. Colin Lewis (Highland 11) is known as a 1600 runner but recently PRed at the South Area meet with 1:58.49 clocking. So depending on how the 1600 goes, Colin could help his teammate get the win.

Event 12 Men 800 Meter Run
Saturday 5/23/2009 - 6:50 PM
Lane Name Yr School Seed Time

Section 1 of 2 Finals
1 Gonzales, Christian Exeter 2:03.13 ______
2 Gutierrez, Alfonso 12 Reedley 2:02.89 ______
3 Gillis, Taylor Buchanan 2:01.56 ______
4 Barger, Caleb Frontier 2:00.61 ______
5 Thompkins, Isaac Bullard 1:58.88 ______
6 Burke, Stephen Stockdale 2:00.12 ______
7 Arellano, Geraldo Coalinga 2:01.29 ______
8 Bryd, Tyler 12 Tulare Union 2:02.89 ______
9 Salisbury, Zed Yosemite 2:03.04 ______

Section 2 of 2 Finals
1 Lewis, Colin Highland 1:58.49 ______
2 Fox, Ben 11 Sanger 1:58.16 ______
3 Brown, Chris Madera South 1:57.78 ______
4 Sanchez, Jonathan Buchanan 1:57.13 ______
5 Lewis, Jerrid Ridgeview 1:54.63 ______
6 Arellano, Jesse Madera 1:56.01 ______
7 Van Zandt, Jake Highland 1:57.16 ______
8 Younger, Cole 12 Mt. Whitney 1:57.98 ______
9 Sharwood, William Clovis West 1:58.17 ______

Alternates
1 Ortiz, Marvin Clovis East 2:01.77
2 Arias, Jonathan Central 2:02.58
3 Garcia, Jonathan Parlier 2:03.14

top marks '09
s-1 1:54.63a +jerrid lewis,ridgeview-bk  5-13 so area
n-2 1:55.05a jonathan sanchez,buchanan-clo 4-17 lemoore
n-1 1:56.01a jesse arellano,madera       5-13 no area
c-1 1:56.45a cole younger,mt whitney-vis 5-8  wyl
c-2 1:56.69a +ben fox,sanger            3-7  ssc
s-2 1:56.95a +jake vanZandt,highland-bk 4-4  WCR
n-3 1:57.78a chris brown,madera south   5-13 no area
n-4 1:58.17a william sharwood,clo west  5-13 no area
s-3 1:58.49a colin lewis,highland-bk    5-13 so area

As you can tell this field is fast and packed. Sanchez has had a great career and recently broke his school's record in the 800. Plus Buchanan is the favorite to win the team title, which means he will be a busy athlete at the meet and more than likely triple (8/16/32) at the meet. This is good knews for Jerrid and Jake. I have also heard that Jesse Arrellano is the real deal too.

Bakersfield has five in the 800, the other two are Stephem Burke (Stockdale) and Caleb Barger (Frontier) who are fine 800 runners in there own right. But not being in the fast heat will make scoring in the meet or qualifying for state difficult. Of course, both are underclassmen so the valley experience itself should heed them well in the future.

The boys 800 will be at 6:50pm.

Girls 800 Meter Dash SWYL

Girls 800 Meter Dash SWYL - PHOTOS. As expected, Lynch won this event with Delarosa run a nice time for second.







==================================

Name Year School Seed Finals Points
==================================
1 Lynch, Tijerra Ridgeview 2:22.00 2:26.59 10
2 Delarosa, Alyson Frontier 2:36.78 2:29.01 8
3 Maltos, Jasmine Frontier 2:37.37 2:35.25 6
4 Lopez, Cecilia North 2:29.58 2:37.04 4
5 Armendariz, Desiree Ridgeview 2:30.00 2:38.09 2
6 Huizar, Jessica Ridgeview 2:30.00 2:38.78 1
7 Sanchez, Elizabeth Centennial 2:40.59 2:39.42
8 Lopez, Cynthia Stockdale 2:42.30 2:39.90
9 Oliver, Stephanie Centennial 2:42.90 2:40.21
10 Perez, Yadira North 2:42.19
11 Martinez, Margaret Centennial 2:52.10 2:42.53
12 Castro, Christina West 2:40.00 2:42.54
13 Bell, Ashley Stockdale 2:44.10 2:43.72
14 Cruz, Priscilla North 2:58.38

Girls 800 Meter Dash SEYL

Girls 800 Meter Dash SEYL - PHOTOS. Baker's second win of the night and her easiest since her season best was 9
seconds faster than anyone in the field. Sarah is in the top ten in the valley.
================================================================================
Name Year School Seed Finals Points
================================================================================
1 Baker, Sarah BHS 2:24.00 2:28.79 10
2 McAtee, Sarah Liberty 2:30.44 2:31.17 8
3 Chao, Julie Liberty 2:33.62 2:32.07 6
4 Rodriguez, Lilly East 2:34.00 2:34.98 4
5 Villa, Jocelyn East 2:33.00 2:35.30 2
6 Silva, Denise Golden Valley HI 2:44.00 2:36.91 1
7 Mayberry, Katherine Highland 2:39.00 2:40.02
8 Rodriguez, Jeannette Highland 2:50.00 2:43.06
9 Aguilar, Gloria Liberty 2:38.61 2:49.85

Why Not Go Big!

Before the meet, I heard that Jerrid wanted to make a statement at the Area meet and he did in the 800. Usually, he lets others handle the pace making and then he goes in for the kill on the homestretch. But from the gun he took the lead and never looked back.

When he hit the 4oo, his time was 54 seconds and at the 500 it looked like the hunter might be the hunted this time. The Highland boys were in his slipstream and looked like they were ready to pounce.

At this point Schwartz was out of the race and I wondered if something was wrong with him because before the start he was nursing his knee and looked to be in pain. By the end of the race, Schwartz ended up jogging in and finished last with Solis of Ridgeview. Then he left the track immediately, which is unusual for the gregarious Chris. Later in the evening he looked good in his win in the 3200 and ran the anchor league of the 4 x 400 so who knows what was going on

In the final 300, Jerrid increased his lead on the Highland athletes and posted the fastest time in the valley this year. Colin Lewis of Highland also posted a season best to go along with his second in the 1600 earlier in the evening.

800--1. Lewis, Ridge, 1:54.63; 2. Van Zandt, High, 1:57.16; 3.
Lewis, High, 1:58.49; 4. Burke, Stock, 2:00.12

Two Firsts by Less Than a Second Combined

I have known of Sarah Baker since my own son's started grade school with her years ago. Whatever the sport, she excelled at it. I still remember her epic battles with Mr. Lawrence on the playing fields of Franklin Elementary. He was a young athletic teacher who I am sure helped develop Sarah's competitive fire. Combine that with her mom's distance running talent and physical trainer background and you have a terminator with a smile.

Though just a sophomore, Sarah has won a lot of titles already and most of them have come down to a sprint at the end. She has won two SEYL cross cross country individual titles in photo finishes and and lead her cross country team to the team title in 2007 and second in 2008.

In track, she has had to triple (1600/800/3200) at most dual meets to help the girl's squad remain undefeated in duals over the past two years. Her SEYL track record is almost perfect in the triple crown. She won all three events in 2009 and won the 800/1600 in 2008. She came in second in the 3200 that year but if the team had needed first place to win the team title, she would of probably pulled it off. The team has been SEYL champs both years too.

At the South Area meet she won the 1600 in 2008 and this year she won the 800 and 1600. With all these running accomplishments, she still finds the energy to play soccer almost year round too.

Also unlike many female distance athletes who burst on to the local scene their freshman year and then slow down as they get older, Sarah seems to be getting stronger and faster as she gets older. What is even crazier is that she thinks her eleven year old sister (Maggie) will be a better runner than her in the future.

In the 800, the field was reduced by two before it even began for uniform violations. This late in the year, one would hope this would not happen but two were dismissed as soon as they got up to the starting line for a lip ring and a nose ring. A terrible way to end one's season.

After 500 meters, Delarosa (jr), in all black, was looking strong and in control. She was followed by Baker, Lynch and McAtee (sr). At this point many would of picked Delarossa for the win or perhaps Lynch (soph) who looked very relaxed in third place and has has sub 60 flay 400 speed. But they would be wrong because halfway down the homestretch, Baker made her patented move and some how pulled out yet another photo finish with a 800 hundredths of a second margin of victory.


800--1. Baker, Bak, 2:22.29; 2. Delarosa, Fron, 2:22.37; 3. Lynch, Ridge, 2:26.82; 4. McAtee, Lib, 2:31.62