Jacque Taylor (Casa Grande, Petaluma) frosh CC star

September 5th, 2006
Frosh newcomer to prep ranks
runs away with Rancho Cotate Invite

 

Jacque Taylor (Casa Grande,
Petaluma) frosh CC star

September 5th, 2006
Frosh newcomer to prep ranks
runs away with Rancho Cotate Invite

Jacque Taylor (Casa Grande, Petaluma) frosh
winning at Rancho Cotate Invite

We had become aware of middle schooler Jacque Taylor from the Petaluma area over the last year with some of her age-group successes.  She "came out" at the prep level in her first multi-school affair, impressing with a 16:22 on the 2.75 mile course at the Rancho Cotate Invitational, taking the contest by 100 meters. 

Jacque was good enough to take time away from the start of school hustle and bustle to answer a few questions we passed on to her, with it sure looks like a solid newcomer to the prep Golden State ranks from Casa Grande and the NCS!!

1) When did you start competitive running?

JT - I was 12. That is when I hooked up with Bob Shor and the Santa Rosa Express. I went to the XC JO's in Albuquerque that year and finished 13th. The following year I went to the XC JO's in Chicago and finished 13th again. This past year I went to the XC JO's in Rhode Island and finished 9th. My goal was to be in the top ten.

2) What other sports activities have you been involved in while growing up?

JT - The last few years I played elite soccer and skied. Now I play competitive soccer and run for the high school.

3) How much have you followed the high school running scene in recent years (do you view results and check things on the internet and all)?

JT - Yes, my dad and I have been checking times on the internet (DyeStatCal) for the past three years.

4) Describe how the Rancho Cotate race went for you (how was the early pacing, when did you take the lead, how did you feel overall, etc.)--

JT - It always feels good to win but the first mile was slow. I ran a stratgic race rather than an aggressive race since it was the first race of the season. I took the lead half way through the race and never gave it up.

5) What are some of the events for you on the schedule in the next couple of weeks?

JT - The Viking Opener at Spring Lake, the Stanford Invite and a couple of interlocks.


6) How was the summer Junior Olympic Nationals track experience for you? - we know some of those meets are held in places where it can be quite warm and all, you were second, and how did that race go for you--

JT - The track experience is very different from the XC experience. It was very hot and humid in Baltimore. That was tough on the California people. The meet itself was fun, but allot of waiting. The 3000m was slow, no one wanted to take the lead and finally I couldn't wait any longer and so I took it and held it til the last 100m when the girl who won sprinted to the finish.

Ed note: 2006 USATF Junior Olympic Intermediate Girls 3000m
Event 405 3000 Meter Run Intermediate Girls
1 Cozzarelli, Andie 03 Jr. Striders 10:36.59
2 Taylor, Jacque Santa Rosa Expre 10:40.92