Jacque Taylor (Casa Grande, Petaluma)
photo by Doug Speck
Jacque Taylor in the recent USATF National Junior Olympic 1500
Doug Speck
Editor DyeStatCal.com
Tall Petaluma area age-group star Jacque Taylor burst
forth on the prep scene this past school year with great success! She
waded into a year that had as much depth in distance running as
probably any other year in Golden
State history like a real pro, emerging from the Cross-Country
season
with
a
fifth place in the State Cross Country Meet Division II, earning
herself a top fifteen spot on the very competitive Woodward Park
All-Time ninth grade list with her 17:57. In
the spring she tackled some challenging doubles along the way,
and was fourth in June's California State Meet over 3200 meters,
racing what would turn out to be the nation's top frosh time for
the year at 10:34.39. She continues the string of "Sonoma
County Magic," steering some of the action over Petaluma way from
seemingly decades of stars from the Santa Rosa area, with three
more years of great action starting sooner than we think next month
with the 2007 harrier campaign starting. Jacque took some
time out recently to answer a few questions for us.
1) What were your general thoughts on your first
high school year of running where you ended as the nation's top
frosh 3200m runner at 10:34.39 with your fourth at state?
JT - I feel really good. I didn't think about trying to be the
top freshman 3200 runner. Honestly, I was just out there to do
the
best
I could and have fun (=
2) How did you find the high school distance running scene different
than the age-group one, where athletes are kind of divided into
two year divisions, or was it a pretty similar experience in the
competitions?
For me I really didn't feel a difference.
3) What was the highlight of your 2006-2007 running year?
I had two highlights in my 2006-2007 running year. They were going
to the XC and track state meets. I was excited to have placed so
well in both XC and track. Plus my coach Carl Triola, has never
had anyone place that high before. He was really happy and it was
kind of funny. A highlight outside of high school and club running
was winning the trophy for the fastest high school runner and a
second black shirt at the Dipsea Race.
4) Did you have any areas of frustration with your running or training
during the last school year that were maybe different from your
age-group or middle school running years?
I had no frustrations at all. When I moved onto high school it
all clicked for me. Great coach + amazing team mates = no frustration
and a great time!!
5) You continued your running in to the summer with the USATF National
Junior Olympics in Southern California. How much running did you
do during the summer, and how did that portion of your competitive
year go in your eyes?
When I trained with Bob Shor my club coach, I did one day of longer
slower runs and then one day with speed work. On the days I wasn't
with Bob I ran on my own. In my eyes I don't think I ran well at
the National Junior Olympics. I was just physically tired after
track and I needed a break. But I'm defiantly ready for this years
XC season!
6) Few "off the wall" questions:
--Last song or music loaded to listen to somehow?
Well I just take the music that my sister downloads onto iTunes.
But the last song I listened to was "Beat it" by MJ
--Last book you read?
I really don't like reading. I had to read "Romeo and Julliet" in
the spring for my English class.
--The TV show or series you cannot be dragged away from each week?
Ahaaah that would be "Hannah Montana"... great show!
Other than that, I like "Top Chef" because my sister
is a chef and of course 24!.
--Favorite class in school
Odd as it may sound, I really like math.
--Store we can find you in when you have some extra money to spend?
Either in Hollister or Luchessi Deli.
--Running hero?
The great Steve Prefontaine and Sarah (Bei) Hall. (Ex-Redwood Empire
athlete)
--In ten years where will you be and what will you be doing?
My dream is to run a marathon in the Olympics. So I guess that
I would be training for that (=
Thanks Jacque - Best of Luck
Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com
Message
board! Message board!
