Michael Poe endured the most humbling of setbacks
at the late-October Mt. SAC Invitational, struggling after a very
strong opening mile to finish 13th (15:19) along the conventional
2.92-mile course in the Individual Sweepstakes comeptition. Since
then, he has been unstoppable.
Victories along the same Mt. SAC course at the Baseline
League Finals (14:57), CIF-SS Prelims (15:21 in a real cruise
job) and the CIF-SS Finals (14:48) were followed with a 15:06
title effort in the Division I State Championships at Woodward
Park. In all but the cruise showing at sectional prelims, Poe's
opening-mile efforts were clocked between 4:50 and 4:55. From
there, his sensational leg strength keyed strong moves on subsequent
hills in those races to crush the competition. Even so, he never
went full throttle.
Poe's semi-conservative approach reaped major dividends
at the West Regional last Saturday, where the well-rested talent
shined on his "home course" to win the 3.1-mile version
of the Mt. SAC layout at in 15:34. Poe now enters the Foot Locker
National Championship coming off a pretty hard effort at his regional,
but possibly courting the type of strength needed to come back
impressively for a second week! [Rich Gonzalez]
DyeStat Elite performances: Time
Dist Pos/Meet
15:34 5k - 1 @ CA FootLocker WE see
15:06 5k - 1 @ CA State Div 1
14:48 2.92 - 1 @ Mt. SAC CA SS Div 1
14:57 2.92m - 1 @ CA Baseline League
15:19 2.92m - 13 @ Mt. SAC race 48
15:02 3.0m - 1 @ CA Colton Swarm
|
Caitlin Chock has been a stunning force from season's
outset, dotting the Golden State map to collect high-quality invitational
victories. Clearly, however, the Roseville area resident is saving
the best for last.
Chock blasted the Division II competion at the California
state meet, rolling to a 24-second victory margin in a race otherwise
dominated by a sensational Sultana HS squad. Chock won in 17:30,
posting the fastest mark of the day from all divisions combined!
Caitlin then continued her stellar groove with a fine
fourth-place finish at the Foot Locker West Regional, being among
a very fine group of runners content to settle for a safe position
in this qualifying race. Chock, who visually appears to be physically
much stronger this season, is among an excellent cast of darkhorse
picks heading into San Diego! [Rich Gonzalez]
DyeStat Elite performances Time Dist
Pos/Meet
18:20 5k - 1 @ Mt. SAC CA FootLocker WE seeded
17:30 5k - 1 @ CA State Div 2
17:33 3m - 1 @ CA Sac-Joaquin Div 2
17:25 5k - 1 @ CA Stanford Div 2
18:19 3.0m - 1 @ CA Granite Bay Inv
photos by Victah Sailer |
