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Boy athlete of the week: Reesey Byers, Santa Rosa senior, cross country By MICHAEL COIT The Press Democrat Published: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 WHAT HE DID: By lowering his personal record time by nearly a minute at the CIF State Cross Country Championships, Byers equaled the fastest Redwood Empire time ever with a 15:23 over the 3.1-mile Woodward Park course. That was a title-winning time for Ryan Mack, of Ukiah, in 1998. Byers finished ninth Saturday, reflecting the fast and talented field he faced. The North Coast Section champion led the state meet for a stretch, and he is aiming for a top-10 finish Saturday in Walnut at the West Regionals to qualify for the national championships in San Diego. He will run in the regional’s seeded race after competing in the junior group a year ago. “I’m more prepared. I think I’m still sort of at my peak right now,” Byers said. FOUND A FASTER GEAR: Byers hit his stride during track season last spring. He ran the second-fastest 3,200 meters in Empire history at the state finals with Sterling Lockert of Petaluma finishing five seconds ahead, both times lowering a 31-year-old record. “At the end of the track season, he just caught fire and it carried over into this season,” said Santa Rosa coach Doug Courtemarche. Increasing his training for cross country, Byers led a handful of some of the North Coast’s fastest runners ever. I’ve definitely put on a lot more miles than last year. I’ve also learned to trust my training more and learn not to overdo it,” Byers said. The tough competition prepared him for big races. “I just keep thinking that I can run with anybody. I just try not to get discouraged by the amount of good runners that I know I’m running against. I just try to have fun with it,” he said. Byers said. “I’ve been pretty surprised. I’m already really excited for track.” RUNNING IN COLLEGE: Byers knows he must continue to get stronger because running in college is even more demanding, as he is reminded when talking with former North Coast standouts now on college teams. “I think I’m ready for it,” he said. Byers’ has a 3.2 grade point average and he favors math and science. Hewants to study engineering. The colleges he is considering include UC Davis and Sacramento State.
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