May 22, 2010

30 mph winds and driving cold played into some of the most mind boggling races and led to unlikely champions at the California Community Collge State Meet held at Antelop Valley College in Lancaster. The Southwestern track and field team consisting of seven athletes started the day with high hopes. Tanya Valenzuela led the day with the 3000m Steeplechase. The group of 12 athletes started slow, no athlete wanted to lead the race. In what had to be the most bizarre first several laps, the athletes took over a minute to run 1/2 a lap! In one lap, I put the clock on the field and timed them for a 100m. I couldn't believe me eyes when the clock posted 38 seconds!

Eventually, one brave athlete broke from the pack with three laps of eight to go. Smart move for her, she stole the race with this sudden burst of speed and the other athlete no willing to risk the safety of the pack. Tanya, with two laps to go begin to give chase realizeing the athlete was not going to exhaust herself with this tactic. In the end, Tanya finished 2nd. Congratulations.

The next race things got even more strange. Dahir Mohamed stepped up for the men's steeplechase. However, the race had to be delayed for 10 minutes because of two athlete colliding while doing warm ups in which one athlete was knocked unconcious! The trainers managed to revive the young man and to the surprise of this writer and the crowd, was allowed to run.

Dahir, ranked #2 in the Nation let his ego get the best of him or perhaps it was a calculated risk that didn't pay off. Just as before the race started off slow. No athlete wanted to lead and challenge the wind. After 1 1/2 laps, Dahir broke from the back and quickly put distance between himself and the eleven other athletes. Dahir bravely battled the wind for the remaining 7 laps by himself but things started to go bad with only 1 lap to go. As I began to see the warning signs, my worst fears came true. Dahir had exhausted himself and his stride and energy began to hemorrhage. Dahir's stride shortened, the pack gave chase, he stumbled over a barrier, then another, the pack caught him, three athletes fell at the water barrier, the pack sprinted away, the two new leaders fell at the last hurdle... but in the end, Dahir had nothing left. He finished 4th.

Still, we're proud of him for a galant effort and amazing season.

The rest of the day was just as whacky. In the men's 110 hurdles, eight men started but only five finished. Our freshman, Elijah Muhammad finished second. In the women's 100 hurdles, sophomore Brialonna Turner believed she had entered into a track event not knowing she was actually about to enter into a boxing match! She and the girl next to her punched, hit, slapped all the way down the track. Brialonna finished 9th. To add insult to injury, the girl (who finished 8th) asked, "I'm sorry, did we hit each other?...."

Another boxing match was in the men's 800m. Combine the events of the men's and women's steeplechase (slow times) and Brialonna's hurdle adventure and you've got freshman Alfred Haserlig's 800m! The pack starting out slow and throwing elbows, pushing and tripping the whole way through just proved to be too much for Al. He finished out of the hunt also in 9th.

Perhaps with a deadline to get back to San Diego in order to escort his long-time girl friend to prom, Elliot Taylor's mind wasn't quite on the race. Eventhough he ran a fair time considering the conditions, he technically made too many mistakes to overcome the bruttish running by the Cerritos, AVC and Modesto runners. Elliot finished 4th.

Finally, Niko Salazar it what could be viewed as some revenge for last year ran a tactical race and gave all he could considering that nasty wind in the backstraight. Niko, powered through the wind, over hurdles and down the home straight. Niko, finished 2nd in the 400m hurdles and closed another Southwestern College Track season on a somewhat high note after a day full of surprises and heartbreaks.

Congratulations to all of you athletes this year on your performances, accomplishments and we look forward to next season and this fall training. Remember, fall training class is ES/T 126, 127, 128 Register now.

I need a vacation.... Cheers!

Coach Campbell