Oakland Athletic League Preview
By Dave Ponas

       This is a very solid year for the Oakland Section as there are several very good runners ready to battle it out on the famous Joaquin Miller Course today. At stake will be the Oakland Athletic League Championships and state meet berths. For the last nine years Oakland High has won the boys title, and five times over the past eight years the same Wildcats girls have won the league. Oakland High has always had a great rivalry going on with Skyline High School. This year is no different. This year Skyline is very strong. The Titans have been around the door knocking with great talent and leadership on both the boys and girls side.
       Coach Chris Williams has done a simply masterful job over the last few years. Skyline's patience has paid off with a big win over Oakland High 24-33 in last weeks dual meet. A 1-2 finish by Andrew Sylvester and Sean Purcell lead a great performance by the Skyline boys. Their top three runners, Sylvester, Sean Purcell and brother Ryan Purcell carry some real serious firepower. No stranger to big meets this year; Skyline did very well at the Clovis Invitational, with Andrew Sylvester winning the Division 2 race in a great time of 15:39 over Woodward Park. Skyline's team time was faster than the winning team, Torrance. This was all done with solid sophomores Cameron Knowles and Jose Vasquez running in the Frosh /Soph race. Skyline also won the Westmore Invitational, by 64 points, with Sylvester winning the overall race. These guys are the real deal; they may be one of the Bay Area's best team. Today may be a big pay day!
       Before Skyline endorses that check, Oakland High would like to get another shot. The Wildcats finished second to the Titians at Westmore, placed at Ed Sias, and looked pretty good at the Lowell Invitational at Golden Gate Park. Lead by John Cheng (9:33 in 3200 last track season), and twin brother Paul Cheng, the Wildcats are a really good team, that has four solid runners with Jimmy Dileo and Ryan Lok running well. With their 5th runner a little back the Cats hope they can get some help from other teams in this larger race. Oakland High didn't win this meet in the past by sitting around cheering. There will be some big time racing today.
        That big time racing will include the Oakland Tech Bulldogs. Coach Noah Hinkston has worked hard and it shows. Both boys and girls teams are solid and strong. The boys are lead by sophomore Jacobo McGuire, who looks to crack 20:00 and earn a trip to the state meet. The Bulldogs have freshman Ryan Potter who has been runner extremely well. John He and George Dick can get in the low 21:00 range and help the Dogs up front. Castlemont will look to Rahawn Murray and Jose Arciniega to break 23:00 today.
         Skyline girls finished the dual meet season 5-0. Their 19-37 win over Oakland High was outstanding, as they swept the first four spots! Amy Cordisco ran a fine 22:50 here last week. She hopes to get on the all-time list today. She is over 90 seconds faster than any other runner in the league. After Cordisco, Skyline's 2-3-4 girls, Jessica Wi, Kim Bowen, and Bernadette Lu will be close. All are capable of running close to 24:30 and getting in for low scores. Oakland High will have a solid pack today. Linda Liang has broken 25:00, Caroline Sou and Jenny Sar should get under 26:00. The Wildcats look to close the gap.
         Oakland Tech will be working with OAL 800 meter track champion Kaneesha Pierce who has a few sub 25:00 runs here. Newcomer Shira Zingman Daniels has been really improving. Kara Anderson, and Jamesa wheeler round out a formidable crew. Fremont brings in a full team lead by Maria Sanchez. Castlemont has a full squad with Darisha Murray and Cassandra Wesseling running well.

So let's all enjoy the meet and cheer on all the competitors.
Good Luck Everyone