Kara Anderson - Famed Age-Group star now out of Middle School - adds to North Coast Section Talent pool as just a ninth grader!!!

Kara Anderson - age-group star moves to prep level - California picks up another fine middle distance runner

Many time National Age-Group Champ - Kara Anderson

One of the most successful middle distance age-group runners in the nation over the last few years has been Kara Anderson, a Bay area resident who will be in the ninth grade this year and a part of the Golden State prep scene. She has made a name for herself from coast to coast, and we thought highly enough of her as an eighth grader this past spring to name her to the All-State team before she was even in high school! Below she talks about her running and career thus far, as well as indicating where she is already attending high school in the North Coast Section. She has some good folks to train with, and explains below how the range of ages and grades in high school presents her with some exciting new challenges!

Best of Luck Kara - Doug Speck - DyeStatCal

1) Briefly describe your running successes at the middle school or age group level briefly—

1st Place & AAU National Indoor Record Holder 1500M February 2002

1st Place 1500m Youth Athletics National Championships Decatur Illinois 7/4-8/01
1st Place 1500m Silver State Games Reno Nevada 4/7-8/01
1st Place 800m Silver State Games Reno Nevada 4/7-8/01
1st Place 1500m Pacific Association Championships Union City Ca. 6/30/01
1st Place 800m Pacific Association Championships Union City Ca. 6/30/01
1st Place 800m Hershey State Games San Jose Ca.6/23/01

Oakland Diocese XC Champion 7th grade & 8th grade representing St. John the Baptist in El Cerrito.

Making the 2003 Dyestat 800M California State 2nd team ranking as a 8th grader

2) What club or clubs have you been involved with during your running career thus far?

I started running with Hilltop Speed for 1 ½ years and then I moved onto run with the girls of Acorn Oscar Bailey and Darrell Hampton.

3) Who do you give credit to for helping you along the way during the start of your running career?

I would have to credit my father (who got me started running), my mother and my family who have supported me so far. I also give credit to my coach’s Darrell Hampton and Humphrey Garret, who trained me though middle school.

4) Where will you be attending high school?

I will be attending St. Mary’s College High School in Berkeley. We actually started school today so I am officially a high school student.

5) What thoughts do you have on taking your running to the high school level in the near future?

I am very excited to move up and run at the high school level. I feel very fortunate to have an excellent training partner and friend, Gabi Rios-Sotelo, who has been giving me insight into high school running. My goal is take make it to State as a freshman in XC and Track.

6) What change do you see to your running as you move to the high school from the age-group level?

I am not just running with my specific age group anymore. I will have the opportunity to run with girls who are also Freshman up to Seniors there will be much more competition. Additionally, I know that high school XC and Track are dependent on each person running well in their individual races, but now there is a big emphasis not only on your individual placement but your placement for the team for overall team points.

7) What has been your biggest memory in running thus far during your career in the sport?

When I competed in the USATF Youth Nationals in 2001. I fell during the trails of the 1500M and hurt myself pretty bad. I was able to come back and win the trials with a PR and then two days later come from 8th place to win the nationals at the tape.

8) What suggestions would you have for anyone who was a beginning runner?

If you put your mind and heart into your sport – you can make anything happen! You also need to believe in yourself!

Doug Speck - DyeStatCal.com