DyeStatCal - internet home of California track

Pearson Crichlow
(James Logan, Union City)
interview

May, 2006
North Coast Section

One of State's top sprinters talks about the special Logan program

Pearson Crichlow (Logan) has developed very steadily this spring track and field season, with 100 and 200 bests from two weekends back at the Sacramento Meet of Champions of 10.82 (100m) and an impressive 21.32 (200m), the latter a third place finish that had him closing well against Jahvid Best and Devin Mays! He was impressive when we first saw him indoors up at the Simplot Indoor Games in February, and we have enjoyed watching his steady progression since that time, especially once the weather cleared just a tad. With the month of May ahead of us and championship time coming up, it looks like the determined Logan senior is rounding into top form. (Video of Sacramento Meet of Champs 200- he was third)

We asked Pearson to answer some questions for us about the outstanding program at Logan, which is the top combined (Boys/Girls) in Northern California, with the overall excellence reminding one of the level that the Berkeley HS program of the later 1970's and early 1980's was able to achieve! They slightly have it going on at Logan, and it is interesting to hear the answers to a few questions about the program from one of its 2006 stars!

Thanks Pearson
Best of Luck
Doug Speck-DyeStatCal.com

--What is it like daily to be part of big, successful program like that at James Logan?

1) Well we don't just practice during the track season, we practice pretty much all year round. Practicing with the same people everyday, such as Kristina Davis, Teirra Ward, Quentin Powell, Marcus Spencer, Ray Stewart, Lucas Liu, Keagan Weathington, Matt Cobette, Tracey Stewart, Jackie Harrison, Jamie Hardy, Victoria Humphrey, Jaleesa Jeffery and all my other teammates makes it easier to get along, and build not only better friendships, but better sportsmanship throughout the whole team. But most of the credit goes to Coach Lee Webb and the rest of our wonderful coaching staff. On our team just about everyone is trying to achieve the same goal, and that is getting to that next level of competition; so I think that everyone can relate to each other. Also being that Logan is the only high school in our city, we tend to get a little bit of everything, not just track athletes, but basketball. Football, wrestling, and so forth.

--How intense are the practices with the outstanding athletes that are a part of the program?

2) The atmosphere is definitely competitive, because there are constantly people working harder than ever to try and get spots on the 'A' relay teams, you can never slack off because if you do then you will be quickly passed up by a teammate. The athletes are always and will continue to be competitive amongst ourselves and getting their minds right for the competition from the opposing schools. After practice everything goes back to normal, joking, fooling around and the occasional horse play, but once a meet comes around everyone gears up and prepares to do there best.

--What is the sense to the team of outstanding athletes like Kevin Craddock or Nkosinza Balumbu who have come through, had national level success in the Logan program, then gone on to University I College programs with successs?

3) Well, we are always going to have athletes coming and leaving, so you need to be ready to step up and be a leader at any given time. When an outstanding athlete like Kevin Craddock or Nkosinza leaves our program, sure it is sad but there are other athletes ready and willing to fill their shoes. It also gives athletes who are coming up in the track scene a chance to prove themselves.

--How has the early season gone so far this year for the Logan team?

4) Well you are definitely filling some pretty big shoes, for example this year was our first year sending athletes to compete in New York at the NSIC and that meant we had to leave it all on the track, literally. We left behind what I consider to be a pretty good legacy, for upcoming Logan athletes to try and surpass our marks. And the same goes for the stronger athletes, everyday before we start to lift weights, we look up at the record board and see what it's going to take to get our names up there.

--How big is Track and Field at Logan compared to the other sports?

5) Well actually track is not really that big compared to the other sports, football and basketball get a lot more recognition than track. I personally think that track should be very high on the list, only on the main reason that track is really an individual sport, sure you have your relay teams, but it doesn't really compare to basketball or football, because once you are on the track for an individual event, you don't have your team to help you out, it's all on you, and once the baton is exchanged again, it's on you, and this is exactly why I love this sport.

--What are any other thoughts you would like to pass on about the Logan program that you have been a part of?

6) This is my first year here at Logan, and it has been a great experience so far, my only complaint is that I could have been here all four years of high school, as Coach Webb has built a great program.