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Sumpter poised for state title run By ERIC BRANCH THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Not long ago, Healdsburg High senior Sarah Sumpter was a nice high school runner without a postseason victory on her resume or a host of colleges knocking on her door. What a difference three months makes. Sumpter’s improbable journey from good to great continues today when she will attempt to become the fifth girl in Empire history to win a state cross country title at the CIF Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno. Sumpter, who finished 11th in Division IV at state last year, won the North Coast Section Championships in Hayward last week in 16 minutes, 59 seconds, 81 seconds faster than her runner-up time at NCS last year. It was just the latest jaw-dropping improvement for Sumpter, who has the fourth-fastest 5K time in Empire history behind Amber Trotter, Julia Stamps and Sara Bei.n high school running circles, it’s the equivalent of hanging with Montana, Elway and Marino. Doug Speck, an editor at DyeStatCal.com, the state’s leading Web site for prep track and cross country information, believes Sumpter could be among the contenders at the Foot Locker National Championships in San Diego on Dec. 8. “She was just kind of a rung below what you would consider to be an elite high school runner last year,” Speck said. “But she’s worked to the point where she’s considered one of the best runners in the state. She’s in some select company. How she does in the next couple of weeks will determine her place in history.” Sumpter could share the headlines today with a host of other Empire runners. The Petaluma boys’ team is aiming to become the first in Empire history to win a boys’ team title. In 2000, the Montgomery girls became the only Empire team to win state. Casa Grande’s Jacque Taylor and Willits’ Kenny Smith are top-five contenders and Santa Rosa Christian’s Zach Nave will make his fourth trip to state.
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