June 17-18, 2005

2005 California State Meet

Girls High Jump
         Tough battle up top between two junior State Finalists from last year, with Sonoma Valley’s (NCS) Mindi Wiley, the NCS winner at 5-11, and Desirae Gonder (Stockdale, Bakersfield-Ce) 5-10 in her Central Section Meet. Gonder was runner-up last year (and fourth two years back), with Wiley a tie for eighth in the same pit in 04. The contest here does not always go to those with the best entry marks, with last year’s champ, Allie Miller (Los Altos), better known as a tough heptathlete, emerging the winner against those with better seasonal efforts at 5-09.25. Amber Kaufman (Branham, San Jose-CCS) has been over 5-10 this year, with last year’s fourth placer at state the early season winner at the Stanford Invitational over a good group and a Section Finals Champ. Jasmin Day (Costa Mesa-SS) took that area title, with a 5-09 the week previous and a tie for 8th here last year. Laurie Roberts (Menlo Atherton, Atherton-CCS) will have revenge in mine for last year’s no height here in the Prelims, with 05 a fine season for the CCS star with a 5-08 seasonal best, with runner-up (tie) efforts at Arcadia and a Bay Area Top 8 win at 5-08. Khrstina Curtis (Tustin-SS) is amazingly consistent, with the Orange County Champ at 5-08 tied for 5th in the state meet last June, and a tie for second with Roberts at this year’s Arcadia Invite with the State’s best. Jamie Klages (Coronado-SD) has juggled soccer at the national all-star level (goalie) and high-jumping this spring, with a 5-10.25 seasonal best. Jamie was tied for fifth at last year’s state competition, with she part of a three-way tie for second at Arcadia in addition to fine performances in her San Diego area. Nicole Williams (Laguna Creek, Elk Grove-SJ) was the Woody Wilson Champ at 5-08, and the West Valley/Chico champ on the way to a Sac Joaquin title. Steady Michelle Johnson (Los Gatos-CCS) was the K-Bell Champ at 5-08, with a fifth place effort at the Arcadia meet against most of the State’s best.
         Darkhorse - Moira Robinson (Mt. Whitney, Visalia) the Central Section runner-up is the latest fine jumper from this school with a good reputation in the event.
         Question(s) we would like answered: What happened to Susan Jackson (Napa) 3rd in last year’s meet–she did jump earlier in the year with a runner-up effort at Stanford?
Answer - (OUCH! editor comment) - Well, I have the answer for that. She is out with an injury, she tore her meniscus pretty bad and had to have surgery to have it reattached. She has been out for quite some time, she had the surgery I believe April 31st and is to be out of sports for at least 6 months. She will not be able to play basketball next season. So we should look forward to her return next year for the 2006 track season. (thanks for the answer)

With this event starting at 3:00 pm (and ending last year at 3:47 pm) these athletes are hardly competing in a “state-meet” atmosphere, with probably 1/100th of the crowd here for the later running events in attendance to watch them - why does it start so early, hardly the setting for a state championship group?
         Predictions:
1) *Desirae Gonder (Stockale, Bakersfield) - CE - due for a win at this level - 4th - 2nd - ??
2) *Mindi Wiley (Sonoma Valley) - NCS - hot off 5-11 section win will be tough to beat
3) *Amber Kaufman (Branham, San Jose) - CCS - solid season and big meet experience and success
4) *Jasmin Day (Costa Mesa) - SS - super athletic family - peaking nicely and 04 Finalist
5) -Laurie Roberts (Menlo Atherton, Atherton) - CCS - good 05 seasonal record - revenge in mind for 04 State meet here
6) -Khristina Curtis (Tustin) - SS - consistency, consistency, consistency - what can you say
7) -Jamie Klages (Coronado) - SD - has to be one of the state’s top all-around athletes - (google soccer search found 228 entries for one of the nation’s top prep goalkeepers)
8) **Nicole Williams (Laguna Creek, Elk Grove) - SJ - closing season nicely - Section champ here last weekend
9) -Michelle Johnson (Los Gatos) - CCS - 5-08 best, good seasonal record

Girls Pole Vault
         Hot event as of late, even with Allison Stokke, defending Champ from Newport Harbor, who seemed to have no limits on her improvement this year, with the Orange County star up to 13-05.75 before a serious ankle injury in practice eliminated the talented soph. Plenty of volunteers stepped forward in this event that is developing at a quick geometric rate! Brysun Stately (Cordova, Rancho Cordova-SJ) is up to 13-06 already, the =#3 vault in California history and among US prep history’s top all-time dozen in the event. She competes often on this State Meet facility during the year. Kira Cosa (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno) 13-08.5 from 2003 and Shalya Balentine (Morro Bay) 2001 (both national records when set) are #1 and #2 All-time statewide in case you be wondering. Brysun will have company as the bar works up this weekend! Katie Matoon (Rancho Bernardo Pole Vault HS-SD) (school name our joke!) was third in this meet last year, with a great competitive 05 season under her, including a win over a top group at Arcadia. Tori Pena (Edison, Huntington Beach-SS), a junior, looked very sharp in sailing over 13-01 last week to take the area championship, with a seventh in last year’s State Meet for experience here. Sac Joaquin star, Rachel Simmons, soph from Rocklin, has steadily improved this spring, with a seasonal 12-9 best last week while placing second to Stately, and runner-up and third place finishes at Stanford and Arcadia along the competitive way. Natasha Barthel (St. Francis (another) Pole Vault HS, Mountain View-CCS) was the area champ with a 12-09 seasonal best in winning the CCS top 8 affair, with teammate Taylor Franklin (some of these schools keep pole companies in business) 4th in last year’s State Meet, with a 12-06 seasonal best, and late season effort on this facility in the Sacramento Meet of Champions. Tori Anthony (Casatilleja, Palo Alto-CCS) is the third strong vaulter from the CCS in the field, with a 12-06 best from the area Top 8 affair. Jennae Bennett (Foothill, Santa Ana-SS), 5th in last year’s State Meet, emerged late to qualify from her section with a 12-01 seasonal best from two weeks back. Lyndly Tamura (Huntington Beach-SS) is another hot vaulter from the Orange County area. Tamura was 11th in last year’s State prelims here, with a 12-03 seasonal best.
        Darkhorse - Alex Fernandez (Woodland) - fine all-around athlete who has run in the mid-15's in the hurdles, has an 11-09 seasonal best, is at home here, and ready for a personal best!
        Question we would like answered? - When will the performances in this event level out for the young ladies? The continued improvement is really fun to watch, and it appears there is no turning back from efforts that one would have considered impossible for females as a group not too long ago. Melisa Price (Kingsburg) jump-started the event with her 13-02.75 national record way back in 1995, with the state currently a number of athletes who are not intimidated a bit by that once lofty mark!
         Predictions:
1) -Brysun Stately (Cordova) - SJ - hot, hot, hot, and at home
2) -Kate Matoon (Rancho Bernardo, SD) - SD - 3rd here last year - very, very solid season
3) *Tori Pena (Edison, Huntington Beach) - SS - wow! Last week 13-01 could do better!!
4) **Rachel Simmons (Rocklin) - SJ - could battle for the win - ready for higher than 12-9 best
5) **Natasha Barthel (St. Francis, Mountain View) - CCS - solid busy season 12-09 best
6) **Tori Anthony (Casatilleja, Palo Alto) - CCS - CCS flood of top vaulters - solid improvement
7) *Taylor Franklin (St. Francis, Mountain View) - CCS - 4th here last year - looking for good championship meet
8) -Jennae Bennett (Foothill, Santa Ana) - SS - 5th here last year - emerged near end of year with good efforts from South
9) Lyndly Tamura (Huntington Beach) - SS - 11th State Prelims 04 - good in big meets this spring - trying to stay ahead of a tough pack for finalist spot!

Girls Long Jump
         Brittany Daniels (West, Tracy-SJ) was runner-up here last year and has had a super senior year so far, with a booming 45-07.5w Triple Jump last weekend and big wins in the Long Jump at Stanford, Arcadia, and the Sacramento Meet of Champions here. With defending champ Shana Woods of Long Beach Poly, state leader at 20-10 from the indoor season, not returning after injuring her back two weeks back, Daniels, with a 20-05.5 seasonal best, is favored to go 1-2 for her team along with hurdler/jumper Shevell Quinley, who suddenly really came to life in the event and has a 20-03.75 best from a week ago on this facility. Mindy Neeley (Dos Pueblos, Goleta-SS), who was 19-09.5 in mid-season (state’s #4 jumper on the lists), is another top jumper who did not make it through the sectional process. Shelese Ruffin (Beaumont-SS) was 5th last year in this meet, and was the Southern Section winner last weekend at 19-03. Kristin Holmes (Claremont-SS) was 7th here last year, with a 19-07.5 seasonal best and third in the Section finals. Teammate Ashika Charan (Claremont-SS), one of the state’s most improved athletes, was second in the Southern Section meet at 19-00 and was 19-02 the week before. Danielle Watson (Carson-LA) was 6th in the State Meet last year, and is improving of late with a City title at 18-08 last weekend. Carly Whitney (Calaveras-SJ) was third in the Sacramento Meet of Champions competition in this pit at 18-08.75, and third in the Sac Joaquin Section title meet here. DeAna Carson (Wilson, Long Beach-SS) was fourth in last year’s State Meet here, has a 18-05.75 best this season, and has extra motivation in her team points as her squad aims at a State title! Amber Kaufman (Branham, San Jose-CCS) was the CCS champ with a seasonal best of 18-11.25 last weekend.
        Darkhorse(s) - Jackie Lewis (Hoover, Fresno) who impressed with late season improvement to 19-00.5 in winning the Central title a couple of weeks back, Decontee Kaye (Logan, Union City-NCS), who has jumped 19-03 and was the section titlest, as was Shana Watson (Skyline, Oakland) the NCS top 8 winner at 18-10.75.
        Question(s) we would like answered? - Did the San Diego Section Finals really have three athletes jump a best of 17-11.75 for their best marks in the Section finals, with the places sorted out on second best jumps? Also, what exactly happened to Mindy Neeley (Dos Pueblos, Goleta-SS), one of our favorite athletes who disappeared after early May League Finals action.
         Predictions:
1) -Brittany Daniels (West, Tracy-SJ) - Jumping for the team title always helps - trying to stay ahead of her teammate Quinley
2) -Shevell Quinley (West, Tracy-SJ) - put it together lately to keep teammate Daniels very, very honest and could help the team big-time here–big two days of action on track and in field!
3) -Shelese Ruffin (Beaumont-SS) - high placer last year, coming on strong as of late - jumped over 20' here last year in this pit in the Prelims!
4) -Kristin Holmes (Claremont-SS) - finalist last year at 7th, - also in the 100-200 (missed that fact first time thru - another busy weekend for the Claremont crew!)
5) *Ashika Charan (Claremont-SS) - one of state’s most improved here, Triple Jump, and 300m Hurdles.
6) *Danielle Watson (Carson-LA) - 6th in this meet last year - seasonal best last week in winning LA City affair.
7) Carly Whitney (Calaveras-SJ) - jumps well here, small school star should finish out local prep career in fine style.
8) *DeAna Carson (Wilson, LB-SS) - 4th placer her last year, awaiting that big pop this year, which could happen as she jumps for individual and team glory with Bruin squad big in the team hunt.
9) *Amber Kaufman (Branham, San Jose) - 5-10 High Jumper finds success here also, with CCS title at 18-11.25.

Girls Triple Jump
         Don’t miss the start of this event either Friday or Saturday, with National Record Holder Brittany Daniels (West, Tracy-SJ) sailing an all-time prep best, windy or not, at 45-07.5w last weekend here. That is fully a foot farther than any other prep in US History has jumped under any conditions, and last week’s series included prep history’s only two 45 foot jumps! The wind-legal record, set by Daniels in last year’s Olympic Trials, is 44-11.75. With a full two days of action, the right conditions in Friday’s 5:30 pm qualifying could have Daniels pop something special while the legs are fresh! With fair jumps by Daniels, the field is going for second place! The State has a fine crew behind the Merrill West star, with Decontee Kaye (Logan, Union City-NCS) 41-07 last weekend (nation’s #7 jumper under any conditions) to nip rival Ke-Nyia Richardson (Holy Names, Oakland-NCS), who was 40-09.5, with Richardson a National soph class record indoors at 41-01.5 last February. Seqoiya Peggese (Poly, LB-SS) was 39-07.75 indoors and last weekend took the Southern Section title at 39-03. Tisha Uwadiale (Castro Valley-NCS) is the State’s most improved in this event over the length of the season, sailing out to 39-09 for third in the North Coast Finals. Jamesha Youngblood (Hercules-NCS) was 39-03.5 in this pit in the Sacramento Meet of Champions, with a fourth place 39-00.5 last weekend in the NCS Finals. Great all-arounder, among the nation’s top fifteen in the Heptathlon, Ashika Charan (Claremont), was 39-01.25 to finish third in the Southern Section. San Diego champ Heather Leidle (Rancho Buena Vista, Vista-SD) was 39-00.75 to win the Section Meet a week back. Jessica Barfield (Lynwood-SS) is another fine all-around athlete who has steadily improved this season to 39-02.75 last weekend for second in the Southern Section.
         Darkhorse(s) - Ricki Sullivan (Harbor, Santa Cruz-CCS), who put together a fine competitive year in the Long Jump, then ended up here as the CCS champ at 38-03.75 with ability to go farther.
         Question we would like answered? - Ouch! Is this a tough event on bodies, or is it just luck that three placers among the top eight who returned from last year’s meet, Tracey Stewart (Logan, Union City-NCS), Galina Becker (Mt. Pleasant, San Jose-CCS), and Jamilah Barnes (Sheldon, Elk Grove-SJ), did not make this year’s State competition?
          Predictions:
1) -Brittany Daniels (West, Tracy-SJ) - if she can stay behind the board everyone else is jumping for second - a lot of running and jumping over two days here.
2) -Decontee Kaye (Logan, Union City-NCS) - steady improvement out to the elite prep level this season, jumping for team, as is Daniels, with title possibilities if all goes well for the group!
3) **Ke’Nyia Richardson (Holy Names, Oakland-NCS) - future of the event - super big-meet season outdoors this spring!
4) -Seqoiya Peggese (Poly, LB-SS) Dropped LJ to concentrate here - bunch of 39-footers this year, ready to pop 40+ and likes the big meets!
5) *Tisha Uwadiale (Castro Valley-NCS) Steadily improved all spring to one of State’s best here - close to 40' in Section meet!
6) **Jamesha Youngblood (Hercules-NCS) Super all-arounder, was nation’s top frosh last year with 40-01.5 and 39-03.5 this go-round.
7) *Ashika Charan (Claremont-SS) Lot of hurdling (300mLH) and jumping (here and LJ) over two days, could be three event finalist, but a top heptathlete so typical two days at the track (and in the field)!
8) -Heather Leidle (Rancho Buena Vista, Vista-SD) SD champ a 39-footer and widely traveled Invitational season should put her in good stead for the trip north!
9) **Jessica Barfield (Lynwood-SS) - Another who improved her leaping and bounding by huge margins over the last half of the season to emerge as one of the State’s best!

Girls Shot Put
         Julie Dufresne (Harbor, Santa Cruz) has rocketed to beyond the top of the class this year, with steady improvement capped out with the #3 throw in the entire nation last weekend with her 50-07.25 in the CCS finals. Back to make up for a frustrating performance here last year (she was 14th in qualifying last year to not move to the finals), Coach Matt Ryan at Harbor deserves a lot of credit for seeking out some help in the event for Julie this year, with the twosome coming up with local resident Al Feuerbach, one of the nation’s all time best Olympic level throwers (71-07 PR, two olympic teams, and four national championships in the 1970's!). The rest is history! If she can stay in the ring the others are battling for second. April Phillips (Poly, LB-SS) was fourth her last year and has thrown 46-04 this year and is the Southern Section Champ (Dufresne won at Arcadia at 43-11 with April next at 43-06.25 in early April on the calendar!). Junior Coleen Lenahan (Oak Ridge, El Dorado Hills-SJ) wins our “most improved over the length of the season” in this event, with a fine season capped with a Section title at 43-07.5. Rosario Sanchez (Selma-CE), the latest star out of Coach Haskell Hensen’s outstanding small school Central Section program, won her Section title with a season best 43-04. Sarah Barber (St. Joseph, Lakewood-SS) was eighth in this competition last year, and has had a good Invitational season this spring to go along with her 43-09 seasonal best. Dereka Winters (El Camino, Oceanside-SD) PR’d with a section 42-10.5 toss, with Florida Siaosi (Sultana-SS) another big improver who was 43-01 for second in the Southern Section. Sarah Robles (San Jacinto-SS) is 43-10.5 this season and was third in the Southern Section Finals. Libbi Lantis (Bullard, Fresno) has a 43-10 best and was the Central Section runner-up.
        Darkhorse - Jere Summers (Berkeley) - pound for pound probably the best prep female wrestler around (23-0 this past season with 23 pins (yes that’s every win a pin!) on her way to win at the Girls State Championship there. Jere has thrown as far as 44-07.25 this season, and 44-00 to win the Bay Area Top 8 affair, but was 40-08 in the NCS meet for third a week ago.
         Predictions:
1) -Julie Dufresne (Harbor, Santa Cruz-CCS) #3 in the nation, 4 feet ahead of everyone
2) -April Phillips (Poly, Long Beach-SS) - 4th last year here - super competitor -
3) *Colleen Lenahan (Oak Ridge, El Dorado Hills-SJ) - steady improver close to home
4) **Rosario Sanchez (Selma-Ce) Section Champ from solid program
5) -Sarah Barber (St. Joseph, Lakewood-SS) 8th last year - good “big-meet” season
6) -Dereka Winters (El Camino, Oceanside-SD) Section Champ - good invitational season
7) *Florida Siaosi (Sultana, Hesperia-SS) another good improver this spring season
8) *Sarah Robles (San Jacinto-SS) good season - will need good effort to make finals here
9) -Libbi Lantis (Bullard, Fresno-Ce) 43-10 star will try to stay ahead of the pack for a finals spot

Girls Discus
         Alexaraee Toeaina (Pittsburg-NCS) was second here last year and has steadily improved this spring to lead our group in this competition with a 154-08 to win the NCS Top 8 Meet, and backing it up with a 153-07 from the Section meet a week ago. She is the lone competitor in this year’s field with State Finalist experience, as state leader Margaret Giuffre (Thousand Oaks-SS) 161-08 fell to discipline along the May path. Leanne Taylor (Porterville-Ce) was the Central Section Champ and has a couple of meets out over 150. Jennifer Steed and Jillian Sola will represent the stunning Arroyo Grande-SS weight program, with Steed a fine Invitational season and runner-up effort in the Southern Section at 142-02, with Sola 150-03 during the season and a third in the Section Finals. Sarah Robles (San Jacinto-SS) and Dereka Winters (El Camino, Oceanside-SD) are predicted double weight event finalists, with each a section title in the platter event (Robles 143-03 in the Southern and Winters 146-00 in San Diego). Soph Miranda Wilson (Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland-NCS) wins this event’s “improver over the length of the season” award, with a NCS runner-up effort in a seasonal best 140-05. Jameena Hunt (Morse, SD-SD) was 13th last year in the State prelims, with a 138-09 personal best in finishing second in the San Diego Section. Fellow San Diegan, Daniella Thu (Monte Vista, Spring Valley) has thrown 145-01 and is the nation’s #4 prep hammer thrower at 158-03.
         Darkhorse - Sarah Barber (St. Joseph, Lakewood) 152-00 best from league and 134-04 last week with effort closer to PR placing her in the finals!
          Question we would like answered - Jasmin Bailey (Tulare) was second in the Central Section at 139-10 and has a seasonal best of 141-00 and was not on the original list of State entrants. If she is in Sacramento she will be very competitive for a finals spot! One other - When brother Albert Toeaina (lineman for University of Tennessee at 6-6 and 350 and who it was indicated could eat 15 hamburgers at one sitting on one discussion board!) and the other relatives who play ball come home what is the Costco shopping bill at the Toeaina household in Pittsburg where Alexaraee resides?
          Predictions:
1) -Alexaraee Toeaina (Pittsburg-NCS) - runner-up last year - has it cranked up late this year!
2) -Leanne Taylor (Porterville-CE) - Central Section star out over 150 recently
3) *Jennifer Steed (Arroyo Grande-SS) - from weight program like no other - well-traveled
4) -Jillian Sola (Arroyo Grande-SS) - they come in waves from this program another 150-footer
5) *Sarah Robles (San Jacinto-SS) - Inland empire star 5th at Arcadia against State’s best - SS Champ
6) -Dereka Winters (El Camino, Oceanside-SD) - Section champ with personal best 146
7) **Miranda Wilson (Bishop O’Dowd, Oakland-NCS) - super improver with PR last week!
8) *Jameena Hunt (Morse, SD-SD) 13th in Prelims here last year - hoping for Finalist spot 05
9) *Daneilla Thu (Monte Vista, Spring Valley-SD) - hopes to be third San Diegan in Finals