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SACRAMENTO
-- In the space of just 205 vertical inches, Scott Roth tore down 17 years
worth of athletic history.
In a mere span of 13.89 seconds,
Kevin Craddock impressively addressed months worth of skepticism.
And in one blustery but cool
late-April evening, leading athletes from California and Nevada continued
making the Sacramento Meet of Champions among the best-kept secrets in
the nation.
Led by Roth's meet and national
age-group record, Craddock's jaw-dropping return to the prep hurdling
scene, and other state-leading marks in the boys' 200, boys' long jump,
girls' 100 and girls' 1600, meet participants combined to establish a
slew of meet records and a stunning 69 DyeStatElite marks (21% more than
last year) in asserting themselves as state-title contenders in the weeks
to come. Many will return to this very same Hughes Stadium track facility
in five weeks, when the CIF-State Championships unfold.
"It was better than I expected,"
exclaimed Craddock of his return, making his season debut after a nasty
and stubborn strain to his right quadriceps muscle in the wintertime sidelined
him for months."I just wanted to cherish this. I missed track. When
you have something taken away, you realize how lucky you were when you
had it. When you have it back, you take it for granted. I don't want to
take this for granted."
On this day, it became clear that
leading athletes were going to take nothing for granted...
(notes and highlights below... full story and more
photos/quotes coming after tonight's SoCal USATF Lifetime Achievement
Awards Banquet honoring Doug Speck, Evelyn Ashford and Jan Johnson!)
"Great Scott! He Clears More
Than His Age - And Claims History!"
Granite Bay HS junior sets national
age-16 and meet vault records with 17-01 clearance!
 
Photos by Rich Gonzalez
Granite Bay's Scott Roth eyes the
crossbar after curling over at 17-01.00, then props up on his feet
to begin celebrating new national age-16 vault record and fifth-best vault
(best since '97) in state history!
  
Photos by Rich Gonzalez
Scott Roth looks toward the sky
in exultation (left photo) after record clearance, then poses with both
the
pins and the 'notarized' official's flag used for the event. At right,
a fan gets his sweat top autographed!
Roth, on reaching his seasonal
goal: "My main goal entering the
year was to go 17 feet, since very few people ever get that high. That
was #1. I've done that, so now I've got to re-think new goals for postseason!"
"Craddock Cracks The Whip!"
Season debut yields #2 HH time
(legal 13.89) in U.S. in 2005 for James Logan HS star!
Photos by Rich Gonzalez
There was TENSE anticipation before
the race, but we caught a rare light moment when an official
helped David Klech in setting up his blocks. At left, a quiet and focused
Craddock proved ready to roll!
Craddock, on his
return: "I
just wanted to cherish this. I missed track. When you have something taken
away, you realize how lucky you were when you had it. When you have it
back, you take it for granted. I don't want to take this for granted."
"Lawrence Makes It Look Easy,
Then Hard, Then Easy"
Reno HS (NV) distance runner rallies
to win 1600 (4:47.62) and 3200 (10:35.02) in great times!
Photo by Chuck Woolridge
Marie
Lawrence of Reno HS (NV) leads the 3200m pack,
with the sophomore star posting a big 4:47.62/10:35.02 double!
"Kristina Davis -- Another Hot Logan Returnee!"
Over Her Injury, James
Logan super dasher takes over state lead (legal 11.67) in 100 meters!
"Boys Long Jump -- The Pearl Is A Gem Under
Pressure"
Drake's Alex Pearlstone
put together fine series and wins featured LJ in legal 23-10.25!
Photo by Rich Gonzalez
Sir Francis Drake HS star Alex
Pearlstone lept
to the #1 legal mark in the state, taking the lead
in the trials and putting the pressure on others!
Pearlstone, looking ahead:
"I'm very satisfied with today.
I knew what I was capable of, so this is no surprise. I also know I am
capable of better things at state."
"Klech Down The Stretch: The Challenge Will
Be Perspective"
It takes new state-leading
marks in LJ and HH to defeat California High's all-around phenom!
Photos
by Rich Gonzalez
California High's David Klech closes out
his day with a huge runaway win in the intermediate hurdles
(see above) in 36.76. David now owns the #1 and #3 times in the nation
in the intermediates this year!
Klech,
on his nerves before the high hurdles showdown with Craddock:
"Very nervous.
I was shaking so hard in my blocks it was crazy. I'm having a great season,
but he's still the state recordholder, so yeah, I was pretty nervous out
there. More than I thought I would be."
"Devin Mays Proves Ultra-Hot in Late April"
Lincoln of Stockton
junior goes legal 10.48 and 21.13 and splits 47.8 on relay!
Photo by Rich Gonzalez
America's fast-rising sprint star
is
Lincoln of Stockton's Devin Mays,
who just about did it all in SacTown!
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