Second Sea View League victory

Our second Sea View League victory in as many tries. Next up, El Toro(April 3, THHS, 6:00 first running event)...who will be a much stiffer test than our previous opponent. This is the best track and field team, on both levels, since I began this head coaching gig four years ago. Are we talented enough to capture a Sea View League championship...I do not know; however, I do no one thing, we will not be out- prepared. My coaching staff and myself will do everything in our power to attain a league title, and I look forward to the competition.

Some outstanding individual performances against Foothill, including a PR by freshman Jessica Varela in the 1600(5:31.6), Kamilah Foley(5:37.4 1600 PR), Brittany Hernandez(12:40.6 3200 PR), Amanda Olsen(4'8" High Jump), Michelle Wicker(17.5 100 Hurdles PR), Christina Murillo(37' Triple Jump PR), Percylla Nared(12.3/26.0 100-200 PR), Lori Hoffman(11:43.1 3200), and Kathryn Loper's 16.8(PR) victory in the 100 hurdles. Have I left some people out...absolutely...and hopefully I did not ruffle too many feathers. This week does not lend itself to time.

Thank you for your support of the girls' track and field program. From 76 athletes my first year(2004), to the current 155, this program will move forward not only in numbers, but spirit as well. Thank you to Toki Rathor for his painstaking work on our new and improved website. I love track and field. GO BLUE!!!

Sea View League competition

A super effort, both collectively and individually, to begin Sea View League competition. Our 88.5-47.5 varsity win included individual wins for: Brittany France(Discus), Shannon Lane(800, 1600 relay), Kathryn Loper(100 Hurdles), Christina Murillo(Triple Jump, 1600 Relay), Percylla Nared(100, 200, 400 and 1600 Relay), and Monica Todd(400, 300 Hurdles, and 400 Relay). Others turning in strong performances to assist our cause were: Margot Cuero, Nicole Doherty, Lori Hoffman, Kenyatta Long, Rachel Mahler, Tia McFarlane, Nicole Miller, Jordan Sharon, Katie Simone, and Jerrilynn Stanwood.

Our junior varsity 108-28 triumph was highlighted by individual wins for Sara Johnson(100,200, Long Jump, and 400 relay), Autumn Purkey(High Jump), Sabrina Rathor(1600), Makenna Smith(3200), Makenzie Stade(100 Hurdles, 400), Jessica Varela(800), and Kelsey Wilson(Pole Vault). Other notable efforts were performed by: Sara Brewer, Tiffany Charters, Melissa Christiansen, Rachel Eckes, Kolini Faagata, Kamilah Foley, Marie Friedel, Melissa Higgins, Amy Linzmeier, Katelyn Lockwood, Katelyn McLeod, Amanda McNeill, Kim Meredith, Rachel Moore, Elizabeth Nguyen, Amanda Olsen, Amanda Summers, Carley Wells, and Michelle Wicker.

Great job girls, and GO BLUE!!!

Next dual meet is Wednesday, March 28, 2:45P.M., versus Foothill, at THHS. I love track and field!!!

Kudos to our runners...3.16.07

Kudos to sophomores Ximena Cruz(5:21.0 1600) and Lori Hoffman(11:46.2 3200), and junior Kristin Arkin(5:21.2 1600), for being listed in the Friday, March 16, Orange County Register Sport's page top Thursday marks for track and field. Ximena's 1600 meter effort is her second school record in five days, breaking the old sophomore 1600 meter record of 5:26.0, ran by Lindsay Grose in 2000. Kudos also to freshmen Makenna Smith(5:39.1victory), Jessica Varela(5:40.9), Amanda Mc Neill(5:52.5), and Sarah Brewer(5:58.1) for their effort in the
1600, to freshmen Katelynn Lockwood(12:29.4 victory), Kamilah
Foley(12:45.1), and Amanda Summers(13:00.3) in the 3200 meters, and to
freshman Michelle Wicker, who won the 800 meters in 2:40.2.
Our distance program is off to a great start, and the best of luck to all
competing at the Katella Relays at Santa Ana College on Saturday...

Distance News...3.12.07

Unfortunately some news is not positive. It was reported to me this
afternoon(Monday) that a significant number of girls either cut the run by
going down streets that lessened the miles, walked significantly, or were
seen sitting on a bench near the high school during the run. The workout was
described by Coach Clemons as "one of the worse ever..." The girls involved
are not in group one...our more experienced girls; rather, most were our
less experienced girls. Nevertheless, please be advised that there will be
consequences such as being confined to the track during subsequent road
runs, or being cut from the program. Parents, we are in the supervision
business...Please impress upon your daughter, as will we, that an honest
effort is paramount to our success, and is essential for their safety and
well being. There are around 90 distance runners, and two coaches...and for
us to succeed your daughter needs to listen, perform the run described, and
do so with appropriate effort. Thank you for your cooperation...

GO BLUE!!

Track Distance news...3.12.07

Kudos to Ximena Cruz for breaking the sophomore 3200 meter track and field record last Saturday at the Millikan Distance Carnival, running 11:36.1., and winning the race in the process. The old record was 11:48.0, ran by Lindsay Grose in 2000. Ximena did not run a single varsity cross country race last season; however, her workout diligence in the off-season and consistent day to day work ethic is obviously paying dividends. Ximena ended her day anchoring the victorious Distance Medley Relay team, running the 1600 meters in 5:24.1. Other team members were Whitney Wiles(1200), Carissa Brown (400), and Lori Hoffman(800). In that same 3200 meter race, sophomore Lori Hoffman ran second in 11:49.0. Lori is the freshmen 3200 meter record holder at 11:42.24, and the effort on Saturday is also an indication of a diligent work ethic. Kudos to Lori. Last Thursday at San Clemente, 16 girls ran 5:50.1 or faster in the 1600 meters, 10 broke 5:40, and two broke 5:30. Top times were recorded by Ximena Cruz, Kristin Arkin, and Shannon Lane. All credit go to the coaches...Liam, Melissa, and Micah Clemons, for their expertise, hard work, and dedication. Remember...success in cross country involves a year-round commitment and many, many girls(53 are running distance in track and field) have bought in to that philosophy. Encourage your daughters to keep up the hard work.

Dennis Kelly
GO BLUE!!!

Cross Country News...3.01.2007

Parents,
Last Saturday, February 24, six girls(Kristin Arkin, Ximena Cruz, Margot Cuero, Lori Hoffman, Shannon Lane, and Megan Racine) ran times that rank in the top fifteen for our 4.5 mile tempo run, a benchmark workout performed throughout the year in both cross country and track and field. Three(Cruz, Cuero, and Racine) are new to the list, while the other three(Arkin, Hoffman, and Lane) improved an already existing top- fifteen performance.

The top 15 are:

1.Whitney Wiles (11) 29.51 (9/2/2006)
2. Kristin Arkin (11) 30.24 (2/24/2007)...Previous Best...32.18...(7/31/06)
3. Sabrina Rathor (10) 30.24 (9/2/2006)
4. Lindsay Enright (10) 30.34 (9/2/2006)
5. Lori Hoffman (10) 31.08 (2/24/2007)...Previous Best...31.15...(8/7/2006)
6. Hayley Niles (10) 31.13 (7/24/2006)
7. Claire Fleming (12) 31.21 (8/1/2005)
8. Carissa Brown (10) 31.22 (10/2/2004)
9. Shannon Lane (12) 31.28 (2/24/2007)...Previous Best...31.59...(8/29/2006)
10. Ximena Cruz (10) (2/24/2007)...First Attempt Ever...
11. Kristin Glen (12) 31.31 (10/2/2004)
12. Stephanie Armstrong (12) (8/23/2005)
13. Christine Hughes (12) (10/2/2004)
14. Margot Cuero (12) (2/24/2007)...First Attempt Ever...
15. Megan Racine (10) (2/24/2007)...Previous Best...34.24...(9/2/2006)

Tempo times have been carefully recorded since the 2004/05 school year
involving approximately 125 runners. Kudos to all on the list, and those
running the miles to improve yourselves. Keep striving. GO BLUE!!!

THHS XC 1.24.07

A big thank you to the girls' cross country parents for your support of our practices Wednesday and Thursday during finals week. 52 girls are involved in pre-season track and field distance workouts...48 ran the workout (steady 40 minutes on the track) this afternoon(Wednesday), solidifying the term student/athlete...Of the four who did not...two are injured, one informed us of a DMV appointment in advance, and one left school early. Not a bad percentage...

Practice tomorrow...Thursday...and I expect the workout to end no later than

3:00...Again, thank you...

Pre-season track...1.10.07

Parents,

Track and Field distance running pre-season conditioning is well underway, in its eighth week to be exact, and 52 girls are participating. Liam Clemons is overseeing all workouts, I am assisting him until the second semester begins, and at that time Melissa Clemons will become the assistant coach. A two week workout plan, devised by Coach Clemons, was distributed to all of the girls before the break, a significant number of the girls reported performing most, if not all of the workouts, and this was evidenced yesterday(Tuesday) during a team 1200 meter time trial. The results, especially for early January, were promising, and the next eight weeks will be geared solely to prepare your daughter for the upcoming season which begins Thursday, March 8, at San Clemente. Another ten girls are playing soccer and also plan on running distance events for the track and field team. Their goal is to run three workouts per week at their convenience, a steady state run of 50-60 minutes, so as to be better prepared for the rigors of training for the 800-1600-3200 meter events. All athletes will be encouraged to run a workout on Saturdays, on her own, until the regular season begins on Monday, February 12. Please...please encourage your daughter to do so...

I look forward to the upcoming track and field season...GO BLUE!!!

PS Inclement weather is not a reason to not bring your gear for a workout.
We practice rain or shine...