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How he approached Mt. SAC the year he ran 14:40 and the Kinney National Title!!

October 20th, 2005

One of California's all-time great prep distance runners was Louie Quintana of Arroyo Grande HS. He ran 4:12 at Arcadia his soph year in 1989, had a 4:07 best as a junior in 1990, and was 1:50.2 (800 - a solo race in his league meet) and 4:09 as a senior in 1991. He was a top cross-country runner also, with a 1990 ten second win in the then Kinney National Championships. He went on to a super career at Villanova and worked his way into Collegiate Coaching, and is currently the distance coach at Arizona State University, the the Sun Devils flying currently, with the Women's squad ranked fifth in the entire nation, and the Men's squad eigth in the Western Region!! He had a great coach in High School in Greg DeNike, and he describes below how he approached his 1990 Invitational race, a super 14:40 effort that we summarized in our review of past affairs. He offers advice, indicates that his race plan did not go perfect that afternoon with patience a necessary part of any race plan!!
1990 Invitational Summary
Louie at Arizona State University

Thanks Louie - Congrats on your team's current success

"In 1989, my Coach (Greg DeNike) felt that after my 14:45 run at Mt. Sac that I would have a shot to break Jeff Nelson's CR of 14:32 during my senior year. To us Southern Californians back then - breaking the Mt. Sac course record was almost just as big of deal as winning the Foot Locker Championships. Coach DeNike set up a strategy for me utilizing my greatest strength - which was my speed. I was an average hill runner at best - but I had a nice Aerobic build up during the last 2 years of HS - coupled with my 4:07 speed - we decided that in order to race Mt. Sac well and fast that I would have to run the heck out of the downhills. With the first mile real flat - it was an opportunity for me to get out fast - and on task - I tended to go out real fast in most my races - but at Mt. Sac we decided that a relatively slower first mile would have to suffice if I was to have any realistic shot at taking down the record - well I couldn't contain my energy and went out in 4:32 - which would ultimately cost me the record - just a word to the wise for those spectacular runners looking to break into the history books this weekend - be patient. So, my coach instructed me that as soon as I crested the Switchbacks - that I was to attack - and that's where the real race began. I would let the downhills get me into a faster frequency and let the momentum carry me up Poop-Out - which was easily the toughest hill on the course. I never really charged any of the hills - I just used my positive momentum from the previous downhill. Coming off Reservoir - I almost fell coming around the turn at the base of the hill because I was charging so fast. That afternoon I ran my all time PR at Mt. Sac in 14:40 - 8 seconds off the CR - I would later solo 14:47 and 14:43 at CIF Prelims and Finals - never taking down the record - but giving it a good run. Best of luck to all who are participating this weekend!"

GO DEVILS!

Louie Quintana