Sac Joaquin Section Runners of the Week
by Joe Hartman - Thursday, September 6th, 2007

Chris Romo
The SJS boys Runner of the Week is senior Chris Romo of Woodcreek HS. After taking 22nd in the section his sophomore year, Chris improved by leaps and bounds in 2006. After a solid regular season, Chris won the Sierra Foothill League title at William Jessup University and improved by a full minute at Willow Hill for section finals. Running off the momentum of a 4th place finish at SJS finals, Chris just missed a podium spot at Woodward Park in the tough D2 race by two seconds. Chris took 12th place with a time of 15:39 and joins a competitive group of Timberwolves determined to improve their 11th place finish at the state meet last year.
Chris is one of the most talented and gifted runners on the team," says boy's head coach Jeff Hildebrandt. "His natural ability, his size, and his weight are perfect. His potential to do great things this year - and to go on to run in college - is wide open. Chris is part of the 1-2-3 punch of the Woodcreek team and is part of what makes this team so great."

Danzel Bradshaw
Danzel Bradshaw, a junior at Fairfield HS, is the SJS girls Runner of the Week. She begins the 2007 cross country season healthy, in great shape, and with high hopes. Danzel is the 2nd fastest returning runner in the Sac Joaquin Section by virtue of her 4th place finish in the D2 section race last November. She struggled a bit at state, but preceded her great section effort with a fine sophomore 2006 season that included an 18:35 at Stanford, an 18:39 at Clovis, a win in Race #49 (18:18) at Mt. SAC (along with a team win for Fairfield), and winning the MEL league finals. She also had a solid track season and made the state meet in the 800 meters with a lifetime best of 2:17:59.
But there’s more to Danzel than just footspeed. She also has a great personality and a kind heart. At the 2006 AAU Junior Olympics for cross country, Danzel took 3rd place in the Intermediate Girls age group. In this race - where eight constitute a team - the ninth runner was left without a team gold medal but Danzel wanted to make sure Morgan Pugh (5th place 800m SJS Masters Meet) didn’t leave Orlando empty handed. So she graciously gave her medal up to Morgan, having had plenty of prior All-American success in track and field and cross country running. The story got even better when Morgan’s mom was able to score back an extra medal for Danzel from the AAU officials. Congratulations to Danzel – and also to Chris – for being this week’s SJS Runners Of The Week.

DyeStatCal: What is the main reason you run competitively?
Danzel: I like the challenge and the feeling I get after. It's also very fun.
Chris: Because I enjoy it and my dad got me into it.

DyeStatCal: Of all your high school races, which one was most memorable?

Danzel: 2005 section meet in Folsom, when my team made it to state for the first time in Fairfield high school history.
Chris: Last year's XC State Meet I was sick and I wasn't feeling good but I fought through the pain.

DyeStatCal: What's the best advice you have for someone new to your team?
Danzel: Always start one more then you think you can finish.
Chris: Don't piss off the coach; she'll make you run extra.

DyeStatCal: Which meet(s) are you looking forward to the most this year?
Danzel: I've always loved Stanford. And I am excited about sections this year.
Chris: Stanford and Mt. SAC

DyeStatCal: What's your current favorite pre-race warm-up song?
Danzel: "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor.
Chris: "Stronger" by Kanye West and "Don't Stop Believing" By Journey

DyeStatCal: What's your favorite food when the coach isn't looking?

Danzel: Oreo cookies and milk.
Chris: Supersonic Cheeseburger with Tater Tots and a Strawberry Cream Slush

DyeStatCal: What's the place outside of California you would most like to visit.
Danzel: I would love to go to the Bahamas.
Chris: Europe 'cause there's so many awesome places to visit.

DyeStatCal: The one thing that would surprise us the most about Danzel Bradshaw is….
Danzel: Most people think I am really quiet. But if you hung out with me you would know that I am outgoing and very silly.

DyeStatCal: The one thing that would surprise us the most about Chris Romo is
….
Chris: He can't swim. LOL ( I hate having to do triathlons for workouts, I always lose cause of the swimming part.)

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