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BY KEITH CONNING
[email protected]
WEB: http://hometown.aol.com/conning/myhomepage/index.html
October 28, 2001
Senior Amber Trotter (Ukiah High School, Ukiah, California) is
the fastest cross country runner in the  United
States. She set a new course record of 16:16 at the prestigious
Mt. SAC Invitational on October 20, 2001. I was vactioning with
my wife in the small town of Tlaxcala, Mexico, which is 75 miles
east of Mexico City, at the time. I went to the local internet store,
which was near the Hotel Posada San Francisco, and I was able to
read the results that very afternoon.
Name: Amber Trotter
Event(s): 5k, 3200
PRs: 16:16 Mt. SAC 2001
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 110 lbs.
Born: 1-6-84
Where were you born? Martinez, CA
Current Residence: Redwood Valley, CA
High School: Ukiah
(Conning: "Ukiah High school opened September 11, 1893."
http://www.uhs.uusd.k12.ca.us/information/history/
Ukiah has a population of 14,600 and an elevation of 635 feet.
"Ukiah, center of a flourishing wine region, gets its name
from a Pomo Indian word meaning 'deep valley.' It is home to the
Redwood Empire Fairgrounds." Source: AAA TourBook 2001 Edition)
Coach: Jerry Drew
Track Club:
Career Highlights: Place in major competitions
2001: 1st in Clovis Invitational, 1st Mt. SAC Invitational
2000: 2nd at CA State Meet, 7th at Nationals, 7th in State 3200
1999: 20th at State Meet
1998:
Interview questions:
How did you get started in track and field?
I started in middle school after someone watched me playing soccer
and suggested I try running.
Why do you participate in track?
Because I love to run, I love the way it makes my body feel, love
the freedom it gives me--I also love my team and coaches--running
is addicting!
What is your favorite training location?
The Shakota Trial at Lake Mendocino
(Conning: "Lake Mendocino is located five miles north
of Ukiah, on Highway 101. Created in 1958 by the construction of
the Coyote Dam, the lake is the widening of the Russian River, which
provides flood control and water supply, in addition to many recreational
opportunities. There are two boat launching ramps, three swimming
and picnic parks and more than 300 campsites around the lake. The
Shakota Trail is 3.5 miles in length, and the Kayeo Trail is 7 miles
long.")
http://www.onroute.com/destinations/california/willits.html
What is your favorite track or cross country course to compete
at and why?
Mt. SAC--it's challenging and awesome--a pure guts race!
What kind of workouts do you do?
long runs, fartleks, long intervals, drills…
(Conning: "Fartlek comes from the Swedish for 'Speed
Play' and has been used by distance runners for years."). http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/fartlek.htm
How many workouts do you do per day?
Two Monday-Friday, one Saturday-Sunday
How many miles do you run per week?
55-60
When you compete, do you have a plan or strategy?
To give my very best to the race and my competitors
Where were your parents born?
Father: Houston, TX
Mother: Tacoma Park, MD
What high schools and colleges did your parents attend?
Local high schools, then Utah and the University of Maryland
What are your parents' occupations?
Both are physicians
Where are your ancestors from?
Europe
What is your GPA?
4.13
What community activities are you involved in?
Relay for Life/American Cancer Society; "Big Sister";
volunteer environmental work
What clubs do you belong to in school?
"Youth, Earth, Action" club--environmental and social
activism, hiking, gardening
What college do you want to attend?
Middlebury College in Vermont
(Conning: "The Panther women's cross-country teams
have built a tradition of excellence and enjoyed great success over
the past two decades, winning state, conference, ECAC, New England
and the 2000 NCAA Championship. The team has been one of the top
teams in the country over the past few years, and for the entire
2000 season was ranked #1 nationally by the NCAA national coaches
poll. The Panthers have qualified for the NCAA Championships in
six of the last eight years finishing third in 1997, seventh in
1998, second in 1999 and first in 2000. Additionally, for the last
four years the women's team has earned the U.S. Track and Cross
Country Coaches Association All-Academic honors.") http://www.middlebury.edu/~sports/fall_sports/womens_cross_country/
What do you want to study in college?
Environmental Science and Spanish
What would you like to do for a career?
Be an environmental scientist
Do you plan to continue with track and field after high school?
Yes
What are your goals?
Compete well at the collegiate level
NICKNAME: None
FAVORITE FOOD: Blueberries
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST (S): Paul Simon, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff,
Michael Frontli
(Conning: "Paul Simon (1942-…), is an American
singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He teamed with his childhood
friend Art Garfunkle to form one of the most popular folk rock groups
of the 1960's, and began a solo career in the 1970's."
"Bob Marley (1945-1981), was a Jamaican musician and composer
who popularized a style of music called reggae. Reggae songs feature
lyrics about social problems and music dominated by the pulsing
rhythms of electric guitars and drums." Source: The World Book
Encyclopedia)
FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: SF Giants
FAVORITE PLACE TO HANG OUT: My garden
BEST BOOK YOU HAVE READ: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
(Conning: "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues met my expectations
-- it is a kick. The characters are folks you'd like to know...from
a safe distance, and the story is an odyssey of growing up and letting
go, complete with insights into love and reality.")
http://www.edsbookreview.com/general/robbins_even_cowgirls.html
FAVORITE CLASS: Environmental Science/Spanish
FAVORITE T.V. SHOW: None
FAVORITE ATHLETE: My coach, Jerry Drew
FAVORITE NON-TRACK ACTIVITY: Gardening/dancing
ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU: Tenacious
{Conning: te*na*cious (adjective)
[Latin tenac-, tenax tending to hold fast, from tenere to hold]
First appeared 1607
1 a : not easily pulled apart : COHESIVE, TOUGH <a ~ metal>
b : tending to adhere or cling esp. to another substance : STICKY
<~ burs> <~ clay>
2 a : persistent in maintaining or adhering to something valued
or habitual <a man very ~ of his rights>
b : RETENTIVE <a ~ memory>
synonym see STRONG
(Source: Merriam-Webster dictionary)}
IF YOU WERE GOING ON A ROAD TRIP AND COULD ONLY TAKE ONE CD, WHICH
ONE WOULD YOU TAKE: Spearhead--"Rock the Nation"
(Conning: "'Rock The Nation'is the first single from
Stay Human, the incendiary new album on Six Degrees from Michael
Franti & Spearhead, blending old school soul, hip hop and dance
beats as a funky vehicle for Franti's impassioned vocals and conscious
lyrics.")
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/music/B00005B1FD/reviews/ref=pm_dp_ln_m_6/002-3802026-6804020
BEST VACATION OR TRIP YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN: Family trip to the Yucatan
freshman year
(Conning: The Yucatan Peninsula is located in southeastern
Mexico.)
OPPONENT YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO BEAT: None
HOW DO YOU PREPARE BEFORE A MEET? Warm up, stretch, meditate, say
affirmations, relay and get into my "race zone"
BEST PART ABOUT YOUR GAME: It's really a competition with yourself
and your fears and weaknesses--It gives me so much time for comtemplation/
introspection
WHAT IS THE BEST SPORTING EVENT YOU HAVE EVER ATTENDED AS A SPECTATOR?
US vs. Canada--soccer game at Stanford University
SOMEWHERE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO VISIT:
Brazilian Rainforest
IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH A FAMOUS PERSON, WHO WOULD IT BE:
Tom Robbins/Paul Simon
(Conning: "Known for his offbeat plots and inventive
style, the American novelist Thomas Eugene Robbins, b. Blowing Rock,
N.C., 1936, is widely read by high school and college students.")
http://www.levity.com/corduroy/robbins.htm
WHAT DO YOU SEE DOING IN 10 YEARS? Living in Northern California,
raising a family, doing meaningful environmental research/work
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR ATHLETIC CAREER TO THIS POINT:
Winning NCS last fall.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Garden, dance, write
poetry, read
MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE: My mom J
WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I milk a
goat every morning after my morning run!
[Conning: Stacy Dragila (Placer High School, Auburn), the
world record holder in the women's pole vault, was a goat roper.]
FAVORITE BREAKFAST CEREAL: Oatmeal
NOBODY KNOWS HOW MUCH I LIKE: Watching the sunrise
EARLIEST TRACK MEMORY: Beating all the guys in the 1600 meter race
in 6th grade.
FAVORITE PRE-MEET MEAL: Pasta with vegetarian mushroom sauce
Additional comments: Running is like no other sport. It's a mental,
physical, and emotional challenge and it daily teaches me new things
about myselt and life. It is so demanding yet so rewarding and is
a way of life as well as a competitive sport. I've had a lot of
ups and downs with running and I owe my current success to my family,
teammates and coaches. My head coach Jerry is truly one of my best
friends.
DyeStat California
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