Santa Rosa Press Democrat // News for California's North Bay and Redwood Empire

Low-tech edition (About)
By DEWEY FORGET
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Montgomery’s all-weather track was unveiled Wednesday in a
North Bay League tri-meet, but that was a far cry from the test it got
Saturday in the 16th annual Viking Track Classic.
Schools from Sacramento, San Francisco, Lake County and the East Bay, 34 in
all, gave the new synthetic track its first big test.
“It was great to see schools here from as far away as Seaside (Monterey)
and Fort Bragg,” Montgomery track coach Josh Dorris said.
In a rain storm Wednesday, the track was still usable, perfect
except for a few puddles, still fast, and that is just one of many differences
between dirt and synthetic surfaces. All-weather venues are changing
training techniques and the face of local racing, Dorris said.
“Most of the schools now have all-weather tracks,” he said. “Before we had
to cancel training when it rained, or work out on streets, which was far
from ideal. And we had to train for both dirt and all-weather tracks.
“Running on all-weather tracks is more intense. Dirt may be a little more
forgiving; we are seeing more shin splints, but the times 
are definitely faster. I feel sorry for some of the old records.”
Cameron Island of Skyline (Oakland) broke the meet record for 100 meters,
running 10.6 to eclipse Novato’s Darrell Jones’ 10.8 set in 2001.
Healdsburg’s Will Crockenberg, one of the Empire’s top sprinters, ran 50.6,
close to his personal best of 50.4, to capture the 400-meter event. He
called the track “awesome.”
“I ran on this track two years ago when it was dirt,” Crockenberg said. “I
like this even better than the JC’s track.”
Ashton LeSieur (Casa Grande) and Amy Robinson (Maria Carrillo) staged a
spirited duel in the 1,600 meters. LeSieur, who will attend
USF on a track scholarship, caught up with the
pace-setting Robinson with 100 meters left and sprinted away to win in
5:10.57, well off the meet record of 4:50.5 set by Santa Rosa’s Julia
Stamps in 1996. Rancho Cotate’s Kristin Charles was third.
“I felt like I had a lot left at the end,” LeSieur said. “I guess the last
100 meters is my best. Usually I like to go to the front, but today I knew
if I stayed right behind Amy I would be in good shape. I’m very happy with
the race.”
Tim Murphy (Healdsburg) was an impressive winner in the 800
meters. He was well clear of the field in 1:58.32, some 15 meters ahead of
Logan Ensign (Maria Carrillo) and Santa Rosa’s Kevon LeMaitre-Roberts.
Murphy said his goal is to leave everything on the track.
“I go as fast as I can. I want to pass out at the finish line. I haven’t
succeeded yet. It’s always a battle up here,” said Murphy, pointing to his head.
Kristen Sanzari, the favorite to take the girls 800-meter race, went out
fast, opened up a big lead and coasted home in 2:19.9, well behind her
personal-best of 2:14 and the meet record of 2:15.
“I was trying to go for Julia’s (Stamps) record, but not today, it was too
windy,” Sanzari said. “I’ve run 2:15 several times.”
Sanzari, just a sophomore, ran in the prestigious Arcadia meet in Southern
California three weeks ago. She said she finished 13th, but it was
an eye-opener. The race had several entries with times under 2:10.
“The girl that won ran 2:06,” Sanzari said. “ I haven’t run my best yet. My
goal is 2:13.”
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