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

Low-tech edition (About)
By DEWEY FORGET
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
BERKELEY — Mike Perez rarely finds himself trailing in the 1,600-meter run, 
but that was the case Saturday in the Meet of Champions at Cal’s Edwards Field. 
The MOC is the qualifying meet for the state championships next weekend at 
Cerritos College in Norwalk. The top four finishers move on, and while Perez 
was never in jeopardy of running worse than second, he wanted to send a message 
that he is one of the top 1,600-meter runners in the state. For him, finishing 
second simply was not an option. 
After leading for 1,200 meters, the Lower Lake senior was passed by Newark 
Memorial’s Jonathan Sees, who had been running off Perez’s hip the entire 
race. Sees’ advantage lasted a mere 200 meters. Perez shifted into a higher 
gear, ran past Sees on the final turn and pulled away to win in 4:15.13. 
“I was tired coming down the stretch, but I wasn’t going to let that happen 
(finish second),” Perez said. “It’s hard when you are out in front all the way. 
That’s why I think it will be better for me at state.” 
St. Helena’s Brian Cole improved his qualifying time in the 1,600 
by nearly two seconds, finishing fourth in 4:17.67 to earn a trip to state. 
Sonoma’s Mindi Wiley will make her fourth state appearance after leaping 5-6 to 
capture the girls’ high jump. Wiley, who has a career best of 5-10, will be 
one of the favorites to win at state. 
Daniel Erdman (Healdsburg) had a toss of 55-2¼ in the shot put to finish second 
behind Sir William McKenzie (San Leandro). 
“I was glad to get second, but I thought I could have done 
better,” Erdman said. “Still, it’s an honor to go to state and compete.” 
Maria Carrillo’s Kristen Sanzari, seeded second in the 800, ran a 
personal-best 2:12.56 to break the school record and finish second to 
Ashley Hodges of Deer Valley. 
“This is my third year at state. I feel stronger this year,” said Sanzari, 
who ran a leg for the Pumas in their third-place finish in the 1,600 relay, 
along with Jenna Lowder, Jenna Lundgren and Jacqui Wentz. 
Lowder also qualified in the 400 with a fourth-place finish in 57.62. “That 
may have been the hardest 400 I’ve ever run,” she said. “I felt like I was 
walking the last 100.” 
Jean Lightfoot of Maria Carrillo, after a disappointing effort Friday in the 
discus, came back strong with a 42-8 toss to qualify second in the shot. 
In the boys’ 300 hurdles, Sonoma’s Matt Rasmussen ran 40.71 to qualify fourth. 
Tracy Webster, Analy’s top sprinter, ran 12.37 in the 100 to finish third. 
“I was seeded fifth coming into the finals. I wanted it so bad,” Webster 
said. “I was happy to get out of the blocks really good. Then I 
concentrated on maintaining my speed; endurance has been my problem. 
“This is my first trip to state. I was dreaming all night of finishing 
third or fourth. It’s so awesome.” 
The anticipated showdown in the boys’ 800 between Perez and Healdsburg’s 
Tim Murphy didn’t materialize. Murphy, with a strong final 100 meters, 
ran third in 1:55.43, while Perez, showing the effects of running four hard 
races in two days, was sixth. 
“Soon as I started I knew I had nothing,” said Perez, who made a spirited 
rally to finish sixth. “I didn’t want to run last. Now, I only have to run 
the 1,600 at state.” 
Murphy said his getting to state was his ultimate goal, but he knew he 
would have to make it at MOC first. 
“At 500 meters is where the race begins,” he said. “From there you have to 
dig deep. If you have anything left, find it and leave it on the track.” 
Leanne Fogg, Maria Carrillo’s best chance for a state spot in the 3,200, 
finished fifth after running third much of the race. It was a difficult 
race for Fogg, whose brother Garrett was admitted two weeks ago to UCSF 
Medical Center with a sinus infection that spread to his brain. He remains 
in intensive care. 
“I couldn’t run any faster,” said a tearful Fogg. “I’ve had a lot of 
distractions, which really hurt me, especially since both my dad and mom 
are in San Francisco. Mentally, I just wasn’t ready to run this race.”
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