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

Low-tech edition (About)
By DEWEY FORGET
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

HAYWARD 

“Sarah Sumpter's evolution from a little known runner, training in
relative obscurity, to state prominence, continued Saturday at the North
Coast Section Cross Country championships

Sumpter, who has been training seriously for two years, ran the second
fastest time ever over the Hayward High course, finishing the 3.0 miles in
16:59.  Ukiah's Amber Trotter ran 16:15 in 2001 to set the record.

Sumpter's time established a new Div. IV record, eclipsing Bishop O'Dowd's
Ariel Wright's 17:15 ran in 2004. Now Sumpter will travel to Fresno
Saturday for the state meet as one of the overall favorites, and certainly
the runner to beat in Div. IV.

For the first half-mile, Sumpter was content to run along with the early
pace setters, but then the diminutive Healdsburg senior, began to pull
away. Half way through the race, she had opened a 33 second lead over
second-place Kelsey Ripp of San Rafael.

From there to the finish line it was a Sumpter Tour de Force, a run into
the record book. When Sumpter, who regularly logs 70 or more miles a week,
crossed the line, there wasn't another runner in sight. In fact, Sumpter
had made her way to the scorer's table and had taken off her number before
the next runner entered the long stretch run. Her closest competitor was
Taylor Lawson (St. Mary's College Prep), who finished in 18:43.

"I was thinking around 17:13, something like that," Sumpter said. "I
started to pull away around a half-mile. I actually veered off course a
couple of times; that cost me some time. This was a hard race for me
because I wanted to see if I could beat some of the better girls here."

Sumpter also broke stride going down the long grade into the stretch,
another time-usurping mishap. "At one point I yelled, "˜where am I going'."

While Sumpter's individual effort was the talk of the meet, there were
other significant achievements. As expected the Petaluma boys' took home
gold in Div. II, besting De La Salle. The surprise was Montgomery making a
big move to garner third place and a trip to state. Santa Rosa was fifth.

Petaluma's Sterling Lockert ran 15:24 to win Div. II, with his twin brother
Devin running second.  The first six finishers had a decidedly Empire
flavor. Nathanael Litwiller (Clayton Valley) was third. Ukiah's Andrew
Zellman fourth, followed by Trojans' teammates Cole Yungert and Brandon
Felipe. Also qualifing for state was Santa Rosa's Rory McLeod in 16:05.

The Trojans continue to build their legacy as one of the fastest boys'
teams to come out of the Empire. They will most likely go to state seeded
in the top three overall, and definitely the Div. II team to beat.

"Everyone ran well. Sterling ran a fantastic race," said Petaluma coach Jim
Lynch. "He went out and took charge, and the other guys stepped up.

"It's been a lot of stress this year, with all the expectations. We have
been trying to stay focused. The kids have handled it better than me, I've
been a nervous wreck. "

The Casa Grande girls made history with a third-place finish in Div. II,
earning their first-ever trip to the state meet.  Led by sophomore Jacque
Taylor, who ran second to long-time foe Nicole Hood (Carondelet), the
Gauchos put together their fastest race of the season. Santa Rosa's Suzi
Rozga, and Montgomery's Celeste Berg also get to make the trek to Woodward
Park in Fresno.

"I've never thought of Fresno as beautiful, "said Casa's Sarah McSweeney.
"But, I now I think it's beautiful."

Taylor and Hood, who have been competing for several years, starting with
the Jr. Olympics, ran side by side through 2 miles. Hood held a narrow lead
entering the stretch and held off Taylor with a nice kick to the finish.

""She's always been my competition," Taylor said. "It's a friendly rivalry.
We talk on MySpace all the time."

Led by the Curtin twins, Lauren and Cara, the Maria Carrillo girls' ran a
strong second to perennial Div. III power Campolindo. Lauren Curtin won the
race in 18:11, while Cara was third (18:35). Grace Orders (Campolindo) was
second.

In the boys' Div. III, Campolindo and Carrillo kept the order of the
girls' event. Campolindo picked up the gold with Carrillo second. Nathan
Huckeba had the Pumas best time, running fourth in 15:36.

"Division III is so tough," said Carrillo coach Greg Fogg. "That's why 
we get four representatives. Last year we ran second at the NCS, and then got
third at state. Today Campo ran awesome, they simply have more depth than us."

Willits' Kenny Smith will get a shot a state medal with a second-place
finish in Div. IV. Smith and St. Mary's College's Matt Duffy staged a
spirited duel from the opening gun. Smith had a short advantage with about
100 yards to the line, but Duffy (15:36) found a late kick to defeat Smith
(15:38) by a narrow margin. Joe Withers (15:44) of Cardinal Newman also
qualified for state, along with Micah Shaw-Henderson (El Molino).

Three Empire runners in Div. V punched their ticket for Fresno. Zach Nave and
Faith Hall of Santa Rosa Christian were fourth (15:56) and tenth (19:42) respectfully, 
and Sonoma Academy's Grace Hafner qualified for her second trip to state in 19:54.
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