Amber
Trotter posts one of the all-time
best performances by a high school girl
- 16:16,
breaking the Mt. SAC record by 22 secondsAmber Trotter has
learned about the power of positive thinking and visualization while recovering
from an eating disorder that knocked her out of the 2000 outdoor season. She put
this skill to good use when she powered past the mile mark in a blazing 5:04,
which was 11 seconds faster than the conservative first mile she had in mind.
It was the kind of pace that kills at Mt. SAC, which is laden with tough hills
after the flat first mile. "I just tried to turn it to a positive
thing," Trotter told reporters after the race. "I thought, gee, I have
a chance for the record." She thought for sure she could get the record when
she came down from the sidehill switchbacks in the second mile feeling strong.
Then the third mile over Reservoir Hill and down to the finishing stretches became
an ordeal. She heard the crowd shouting she could "break 17 minutes"
so she was astounded to see the finish line clock barely over 16 minutes when
she turned the corner of the short uphill finish stretch. She screamed and cried
as she streaked under the finish clock at 16:16. Asked why, she said, "I
was in pain." Even then, Trotter wanted to talk not about records,
but about running "for the love of running and the healthiness I feel." Trotter
comes from the same Northern California region that produced Julia Stamps and
Sara Bei, but she still doesn't think of herself in their class. "I was in
middle school when Julia set the record. I had her autograph," Trotter said.
Facts are facts, however. Julia Stamps' Mt. SAC record fell last year to the great
Anita Siraki in 16:38, which most people thought would stand for years. Now, Trotter
slashed 22 seconds off Siraki's record. It's enough to make you feel positive
about yourself. Ukiah sr Amber Trotter 16:16
Fallbrook
sr Katie Matlack 18:03
Centennial soph Brittany Grimes 18:04
Madera sr Heather
Hansen 18:05
Fountain Valley jr Bethany Nickless 18:13 Canyon
118, Centennial 133, Bonita Vista 161, El Camino 189
Sweepstakes
Winner Table - Detailed
Results Trotter finishes almost two minutes before anyone else
 There
were two recalls before the race finally got underway
 | Mile
- Trotter (left) comes by the mile mark in an amazing 5:04, and even more
amazing, she didn't let up the rest of the way. Below,
the next group at one mile.
 |
Coming
off the switchbacks (1.6 miles), there is no one else in sight
 the
finish - the top 10 - the next 10 Return
to Mt. SAC Invitational page | 
