June 17-18, 2005

2005 California State Meet

100 METERS

It has been a number of years since the State meet sprints have been as wide open as they are in 2005. There are five sprinters within 0.08 second of one another and each has a real chance to finish in first. Junior Khrystal Carter of Valley Christian (San Jose--CCS) won her section title in a state-leading 11.57, which is also the second fastest in the nation. Earlier Carter finished second at Stanford and Arcadia. Freshman Jasmin Woodruff of St, Mary’s Academy (Inglewood--SS) burst onto the scene with a win at the Pasadena Games and then won at Arcadia and was third at Mt. SAC. She nipped sophomore Ebony Collins in the Southern section finals, 11.60 to 11.61 (change from original info posted here). Collins, who competed in four individual events through the Division finals, has now settled on the 100 meter dash and the 300 low hurdles. She is the top state meet returnee placing third at 11.61. This year she was won at Mt. SAC in a windy 11.57. Junior Kristina Davis of James Logan (Union City—NCS) false started out of last years state meet, opened up this year with a 11.75 win at Stanford but again false started at Arcadia. Since then she won the NCS Top 8 meet at 11.87, the Sacramento MOC in 11.67 and won the North Coast Section final at 11.70. Junior Elizabeth Olear of Louisville (Woodland Hills—SS) rounds out the top five. Two years ago Olear was the top freshman sprinter in the State, finishing forth in the state final in 11.77. After a disappointing sophomore season Olear has returned to form with a third place finish in the Southern Section final. A week earlier she won the Division IV meet defeating Woodruff, 11.65 to 11.67. Vying for the sixth scoring spot are Romesha Anderson of Stockdale (Bakersfield—CS), the Central Section champion in a personal best of 11.93, Lollie Onipede of Holy Names (Oakland—NCS), Kristin Holmes of Claremont (SS) and Cherrelle Garrett of Mt. Eden (Hayward—NCS). Jeneba Tarmoh of Mt. Pleasant (San Jose—CCS) has a best of 11.61 (wind aided) and will be sorely missed her after false starting in her league meet.

Prediction
1. Carson—Always at her best in the big meets.
2. Woodruff—Never seems to have a bad race
3. Carter—Peaking at just the right time
4. Davis—If she has left here false start problems behind could move up
5. Olear—With just 0.08 seconds separating the top five anything is possible.
6. Garrett—Second to Davis at NCS finals.
Dark-horse: Onipede—Just hangs in there and is always a contender.

200 METERS

Doubling back from the 400 is never an easy thing to do but that is exactly the task that sophomore Sa’de Williams of Rancho Cucamonga (SS) has set for herself. Last year trying the same double she finished seventh in both races. This year Williams won at Arcadia in 23.63 and last week took SS final in 23.56 after running 23.38 two weeks ago to capture the Division I title in the second fastest time in the nation. Junior Khrystal Carter of Valley Christian (San Jose—CCS) was just fifth at Arcadia, moved up to second in the North Coast Section Top 8 meet and then ripped of a 23.69 to win the section title. Junior Kristina Davis of James Logan (Union City—NCS) won North Coast Section Top 8 meet in 24.15 and then took the Sacramento MOC in 23.98 before easily winning the section final in 23.93. Junior Elizabeth Olear was third at State two years ago and after an off-year seems poised to make another run for the title. She was second at Mt. SAC in 24.33 then won the SS Division IV title in 23.77 and was second to Williams in the section final with a 23.93. Tiana Hood of Wilson (Long Beach—SS) is no stranger to the state meet. Two years ago she finished seventh in both the 200 and the 400. After struggling through 2004 she is back, winning Mt. SAC in 23.97 and then running 23.86 to finish third in the Division I final and last week placing fourth in the section final. After three years Kristin Holmes of Claremont (SS) has now moved to the upper level of sprinters after finishing third in the section final in 24.01. Sophomore Jemeba Tarmoh of Mt. Pleasant (San Jose—CCS), who split her freshman year between volleyball and track, has come on slowly, sixth at Arcadia, third at NCS Top 8 before running 24.04 to finish second in the section final. Senior Shakara Lott of University City (San Diego--SDS), with a best of 24.11, freshman Amber Purvis of Benicia (SJS), with a best of 24.23, and Myra Hasson of Gardena (LAC) are three other athletes trying the 200-400 double.

Predictions
1. Williams—Even running the 400 first should not stop her from winning.
2. Carter—If Williams falters just slightly second could easily turn into first.
3. Olear—Look for a return to her 2004 placing
4. Davis—Athletes running at California (site of the NCS finals) have a habit of running faster at State.
5. Hood—Return to 23.86 form would put her right in the mix.
6. Tarmoh—Running just one individual will allow her to concentrate and maybe move up.
Dark-horse: Holmes—Another athlete peaking at just the right time.

400 METERS

Sophomore Sa’de Williams of Rancho Cucamonga (SS) was just seventh in State last year but is undefeated this year, winning at Arcadia in 53.56 defeating Bianca Knight of Ridgeland (Ms.), a 53.06 runner in 2004, and then capturing the section final in 52.88 for the third fastest time in the nation. The battle for second place should be very interesting. Senior Shakara Lott of University City (SD—SDS), who has placed fifth the last two years at State, was third at Arcadia and then won her section title in 54.25 for the second best time in the state. Junior Myra Hasson of Gardena (LAC) was second in State two years ago at 54.01 and last year finished third at 54.29 to become the highest placing returnee. In an early season match up at the Pasadena Games Lott beat Hasson by 0.01 in finishing second and third behind Williams. Junior Nicole Stone and freshman Brianna Atkins, both of Rancho Cucamonga (SS), were second and third, respectively at 54.33 and 54.97 in the Southern Section final, to mark the first time three runners for the same school finished 1-2-3 in a Southern Section final. North Coast Section champion sophomore Victoria Humphrey of James Logan (Union City—NCS) at 55.98 and Sac-Joaquin Section champion senior Sherrelle Dilworth, at 55.94 would seem to be the best bests to break up the southern contingent but freshman Amber Purvis of Benicia (SJS), just second in her section final might be the most dangerous off her 55.04 league final win. She also had wins at Stanford and Sacramento MOC. Others to watch include Lorraine King of J.W. North (Riverside—SS) and Tiffney Reeve of Capistrano Valley (Mission Viejo—SS) both at 55.24, Jamie James of Helix (La Mesa—SDS) at 55.45 and the lightly-raced Joy Eaton of St. Lucy’s (Glendora—SS) 55.47. Other returning state finalist include sixth placer Keshia Baker of Fairfield (SJS), with a best of 55.75, eight placer Chauncey David-Jacobs of Burton (San Francisco—SFS), at 56.05 and ninth placer Danielle Watson of Carson (LAC) at 56.20.

Predictions
1. Williams—Is on the top of her game now and beginning to point toward the World Youth Championships in Marrakech in July.
2. Hasson—Gets the nod on past state meet performance.
3. Lott—Just as easily could finish second.
4. Purvis—Section final result seems to be an aberration.
5. Stone—Running along side of Williams every day can’t hurt.
6. Atkins—Big time talent but is she ready to take the step up?
Dark-horse: David-Jacobs—Has seen little competition and could be do for a drop in time.

800 METERS

Last year Alysia Johnson of Canyon (Canyon Country) scored a stunning upset, winning in 2:08.97. Will there be another upset this year? Probably not but that is because there are so many national caliber athletes entered and if any one of them won it would be hard to call it an upset. This gathering has the potention to be the best race of the meet. There were five non-seniors in last years final and four have made it back. Libby Jenke of Menlo School (Atherton—CCS), second in 2004, Kelly McCann of La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad—SDS), third, Christine Jones of Live Oak (Morgan Hill—CCS), fourth and Christine Whalen of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose—CCS), eighth. Do you detect a Central Coast Section Flavor? And if that were not enough none of those athletes won the CCS title this year. That honor went to Alicia Follmar of Saratoga (CCS) the two-time defending State champion……..in the 1,600. The top five state meet entrants all came from the Central Cost Section with Follmar running 2:07.79, Jenke 2:08.70, Whalen, 2:09.58, Jones at 2:09.94 and sophomore Renisha Robinson of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose—CCS) at 2:11.27. Jenke at 2:07.47 indoors and 2:07.57 outdoor and Whalen at 2:08.97 have run faster earlier in the season. At Arcadia Jenke was second, Jones fourth and Whalen fifth to account for the first three California finishers. In the Central Coast Section Top 8 meet Whalen defeated Follmar by just 0.05 seconds with Jones a close third and Robinson farther back. Looking to break up the CCS contingent are McCann, who was second in 2004 before her third in 2005, and won this years’ Mt. SAC in a seasonal best of 2:11.30 and two names that were not even on the radar screen at this time lest year. In fact sophomore Kate Grace of Marlborough (Los Angeles—SS) was hardly known outside of the Sunshine League one month ago. That all came to an end last Friday when she won the Southern Section final in 2:11.30 to just hold off freshman sensation Kauren Tarver of Serrano (Phalen—SS), who was seventh with just over 100 meters to go but closed with a rush to record a personal best of 2:11.36. Others to watch are North Coast Section winner at 2:13.56, freshman Jami Hardy of James Logan (Union City—NCS) and second placer at 2:13.90, Rosa Magana of Holy Names (Oakland—NCS). Two athletes, Follmar and Tarver, will be trying to something that has only been done once before—win both the 800 and the 1,600. Follmar, with a best of 4:50.27 this year and a life-time best of 4:45.11, just might be able to pull it off. As for Tarver, she has a tremendous kick and if she can stay close, a lot closer then she has in the past two weeks, who knows? One this is for sure with 32 entries dictating four heats with the winner only guaranteed a spot in the final, the 20 athletes who have run under 2:14.2 are going to have to run very fast to make the nine person final.

Predictions
1. Jenke—Very consistent throughout the year.
2. Whalen—Has a win over Follmar at 800 and is not running the 1,600
3. Follmar—Seems like the fans will really be pulling for her but with an all-out 1,600 earlier in the day a win here might be asking too much.
4. McCann—State meet experience should count for something.
5. Jones—Should be in a comfort zone that most of the rest of the field is not familiar with.
6. Grace—Can she surprise again?
Dark-horse: Tarver—She is an amazing freshman and just might not be fazed by the atmosphere.

1,600 METERS

Senior Alicia Follmar of Saratoga (CCS) will be going for her third straight state 1,600 title a feat that has been achieved only twice, by national record holder Poly Plumer of University (Irvine-SS) in 1980-82 and by Kira Jorgensen of Rancho Bernardo (San Diego—SDS) in 1987-87. Two years ago Follmar won in 4:51.37 and last year her time was. 4:46.47. Her best this year is 4:50.27 in winning the Hampton-Phillips meet. She also won the Stanford mile defeating sophomore Alex Kosinski of Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills—SJS), 4:54.30 to 4:54.36. Kosinski later dropped her best to 4:49.26 in losing to Marie Lawrence of Reno at the Sacramento MOC and then won the section title in 4:53.89. Danielle Domenichelli of Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills—SJS) was third in thae race with a personal best of 4:55.73. Follmar won the CCS title as she pleased in 4:52.66. The only other state returnee who is entered is junior Annie St. Geme of Corona del Mar (Newport Harbor—SS), who placed sixth in 4:57.87. A week later she ran 4:49.84 at the Golden West Invitational. Kosinski and St. Geme were two-three at Arcadia, in 4:53.10 and 4:55.19, respectively, in a race won by national leader Brie Felnagle of Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Wa.). St. Geme’s seasonal best of 4:52.81 came in the section final. Gabi Rios-Sotelo of St. Mary’s (Berkeley—NCS) looks to have timed her season perfectly with a personal best of 4:53.55 in winning the North Coast Section final by almost four seconds. Rios-Sotelo is used to running heats on one day the final the next, which might work to her advantage. Freshman Kauren Tarver of Serrano (Phelan—SS), who was second to St. Geme in the section final in 4:54.33, always seems to be in the mix and if she can stay close to the leaders her closing burst of speed should serve her well. Chelsea Reilly of Davis (SJS) had a big breakthrough with her 4:54.61 second place finish in the Sac-Joaquin Section final. With the Southern Section qualifying its entire nine person field to the state meet using a very controlled pace (2:27 at 800) it is a little difficult to evaluate the upside of the runners behind St. Geme and Tarver. Sophomore Anne Sperry of Simi Valley, who ran 4:58.00 and has a best of 4:55.18, just might surprise. The qualifying procedure is a little easier on the runners here than in the 800. The first three runners in each of two heats plus the next three fastest times advance to the final. Look for the second heat to cook.

Predictions
1. Follmar—Too much experience, too much speed.
2. Kosinski—Never very far from the front.
3. Tarver—Racing inexperience might catch up with her but speed can sometime over come such things.
4. Rios-Sotelo—Winning easily of late with fast times.
5. Sperry—Just might get overlooked
6. Reilly—Can she make another drop in time?
Dark horse: Domenichelli—Will be a home and have the crowd with her.

3,200 METERS

None of the top 11 qualifiers from the 10 sections is doubling so look for great competition and lots of fast times. Thirteen of the top 14 runners in the state will take the starting line. Ten of the top twelve qualifiers came from the Southern Section. However, the two that did not should content for top places. Tori Tyler of Gunn (Palo Alto—CCS), who was only 16th in this race last year, but had had a magical year beginning with cross county, is the top qualifiers with a section winning time of 10:31.04. Earlier she was the third Californian to finish at Arcadia. The other non-Southern Section runner is Amanda Moreno of Escalon (SJS), who was second to Marie Lawrence of Reno in the Sacramento MOC, with a personal best of 10:35.86. The most dangerous of the SS runner appears to be sophomore Shannon Murakami of Saugus, who ran a personal best of 10:34.75 in winning the section final and has the fastest 1,600 time of anyone in the field at 4:50.59. Running behind Murakami in the section final were sophomore Christy Adamyk of Glendora at 10:36.89, Whitney Blue of Newport Harbor (Newport Beach) at 10:38.77 and Robyn Guggiana of Warren (Downey) at 10:39.61. Earlier in the year Blue was sixth at Arcadia in a personal best of 10:35.64. Sophomore Lauren Saylor of Buchanan (Clovis—CS), was seventh here last year and despite not being among the leading qualifiers to State, she figures to be right there vying for the title. She was the top Californian in the Arcadia two-mile running the equivalent of 10:34.62 for 3,200 meters, which ranks second in the state. Saylor was also second at Stanford in the 3,000 behind Lawrence with a 9:51.68. Junior Nicole Pennes of College Park (Pleasant Hill) was third in the Sacramento MOC in a personal best of 10:37.29. Another runner who just ran to qualify last week was Gabi Rios-Sotelo of St. Mary’s (Berkeley—NCS), who won her section in 10:55.93 but has a best of 10:42:62 in finishing fourth behind Pennes at Sacramento MOC. The top returnee is Natasha LaBeaud of Folsom (SJS), who finished third in 2004 in 10:35.75, but she has struggled this year going under 11 minutes for the first time last week in finishing second at 10:50.78 in the section final.

Predictions
1. Murakami—She will be very strong in the latter stages of the race.
2. Saylor—Top Californian in the Arcadia two-mile says something.
3. Blue—Always near the front in big races
4. Moreno—Has come on like gangbusters this track season
5. Tyler—Capping off a fantastic year combining cross country and track.
6. Pennes—Third in the big Sacramento MOC meet
Dark Horse: LaBeaud—Maybe the hometown crowd will spur her along.

100-METER HIGH HURDLES

Until last week no runner had broken 14 seconds and the leader at14.00 was junior Shana Woods of Poly (Long Beach—SS) who was taken down by injury two weeks ago. Junior Kimyon Broom of Serra (Gardena—SS) and senior Leslie Mercado of Diamond Ranch (Pomona—SS) stepped up and ran 13.81 and 13.86, respectively, in finishing one-two in the Southern Section final. Junior DeAna Carson of Wilson (Long Beach—SS), a two-time state finalist, was third at 14.37. Broom was fourth at State last year and Mercado was seventh. Another hurdler who shined in her section final was Falesha Ankton (Benicia—SJS) who clocked a windy 14.03 defeating Shevell Quinley of Merrill West (Tracy—SJS) at 14.26 and Candise Maxwell of A. A. Stagg (Stockton—SJS) at 14.39. Quinley was sixth and Maxwell was ninth in 2004. Two section champions that bear watching are senior Sirena Williams of Edison (Fresno—CE), the Central Section winner at 14.34 but with a best of 14.17 and sophomore Ke’Nyia Richardson of Holy Names (Oakland—NCS), the North Coast Section winner at 14.22. At Stanford, Ankton was second, Richardson third and Quinley, fourth behind Meia Tezeno of Hercules (NCS), who did not qualify for State, and at Arcadia, Mercado was second, Broom, third, Richardson, fourth and Quinley fifth, behind Woods. The Sacramento MOC had Quinley winning with Tierra Ward of James Logan (Union City—NCS), second, freshman Jillian Purvis of St. Elizabeth (Oakland—NCS), third, Ankton, fourth and Maxwell, sixth. Two other freshman looking to make the final are Vashti Thomas of Mt. Pleasant (San Jose—CCS), the Central Coast Section champion at 14.70 but with a best of 14.16, and Dahlis Marshall of Valley Christian (San Jose—CCS), third in her section final at 15.09 but with a best of 14.58. Muir (Pasadena—SS) could place two girls in the final, sophomores Jealisa Williams, with a best of 14.43, and Kiani Profit, with a best of 14.45.

Predictions
1. Mercado—Very consistent with a big breakthrough in section final.
2. Broom—Peaking just the right time with seasonal best last week.
3. Ankton—Big upset win in section final.
4. Quinley—Veteran performer with a big win at the Sacramento MOC.
5. Carson—Two-time stat finalist should make it three straight
6. Richardson—Big time talent, who is also a 41-foot triple jumper.
Dark horse: Thomas—Won the Arcadia Open race in 14.16.

300-METER LOW HURDLES

Sophomore Ebony Collins of Wilson (Long Beach—SS) set a national freshman recorder at 40.81 in 2004 but finished just fifth at State. This year she is undefeated with a state-leading 41.07 set in the Southern Section finals last week. Jamesha Youngblood of Hercules (NCS) had a great breakthrough when she won the North Coast Section MOC in 42.84. Shevell Quinley of Merrill West (Tracy—SJS) won the Sac-Joaquin Section final in personal best of 42.86. Second in that race was Falesha Ankton of Benicia (SJS) at 43.36. Sophomore Kiani Profit of Muir (Pasadena—SS), was eighth at State last year but had been inconsistent so far this year before here 43.16 second in the section final. Junior Ashika Charan of Claremont (SS) was just fourth in her section final in 43.71 but a week earlier she was the Division II champion in 43.12. The top freshman at State is Lindsay Pearson of San Marcos (Santa Barbara—SS), who was third in her section final at 43.63. At Arcadia, Quinley was the winner with Ankton second and Profit fifth and at Mt. SAC Collins was first in 41.80 and Profit second in 43.69. At the Sacramento MOC Quinley prevailed at 42.97 followed by Tierra Ward of James Logan (Union City--NCS) at 43.41, Ankton at 43.80 and Youngblood at 44.77.

Predictions
1. Collins—Anything but a win would be a disappointment.
2. Quinley—Very consistent and experienced.
3. Profit—Peaking at the right time.
4. Ward—Always near the lead.
5. Youngblood—Was the 42.84 an aberration or a preview of things to come?
6. Ankton—Another runner who always seems to be in the mix.
Dark horse: Charan—Poised for a great run.

400-METER RELAY

Wilson (Long Beach—SS) at 45.73, James Logan (Union City—NCS) at 46.18, Rancho Cucamonga (SS) at 46.47 and Merrill West (Tracy—SJS) at 46.65 are the top four entrants, the states’ top four teams and all four squads figure to be vying for the team title. Since many of the teams switch around their personnel, wins and losses is not always the best indicator. Merril West was hot early winning Stanford at 46.84, Rancho Cucamonga won at Arcadia in 46.64, Wilson was a winner at Mt. SAC in 45.73 and James Logan won the North Coast Section Top 8 in 46.55 and the Sacramento MOC in 46.70. Other teams under 47 second are Kennedy (La Palma—SS) at 46.86, Vallejo (SJS) at 46.97 and St. Mary’s Academy (Inglewood—SS) at 46.98. Holy Names (Oakland—NCS) at 47.13 and J.W. North (Riverside—SS) at 47.23 could get under 47 second this weekend.

Predictions
1. Wilson—Passing, Passing, Passing
2. James Logan—Kristina Davis rounding into shape will help
3. Merrill West—Brittany Daniels will be here as well
4. Rancho Cucamonga—Emergence of Brianna Atkins could make them faster
5. Kennedy—Only entered in the relay
6. St. Mary’s Academy—First appearance in the State meet
Dark horse: Holy Name—They do pass the baton well.

1,600-METER RELAY

What a windup to the meet. Wilson (Long Beach—SS) and Rancho Cucamonga (SS), the No. 2 and 3 teams in the nation at 3:40.35 and 3:41.91 plus James Logan (Union City—NCS)—all potent ional team champions. Challenging the top three will be Fairfield (SJS), El Toro (Lake Forest) and Mt. Pleasant (San Jose—CCS), all under 3:50.0. Wilson’s Ebony Collins vs. Rancho Cucamonga’s Sa’de Williams (assuming Wilson anchors with Collins). Three other teams to watch are Gardena (LAC), the L.A. City section winner in an uncontested 3:51.75, Muir (Pasadena—SS) and Benicia (SJS).

Predictions
1. Wilson—Deepest team in the field.
2. Rancho Cucamonga—With Williams a win is possible
3. James Logan—Most likely of the leading teams to improve it time the most.
4. Fairfield—San-Joaquin section champ almost like running a home.
5. Mt. Pleasant—A team due for a break.
6. El Toro—Not a whole lot of people thought it would be here.
Dark horse: Benicia—Purvis will anchor.