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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Viking Opener: The RACERS emerge!

It was another beautiful day at Spring Lake as the Panthers took on runners from 42 schools (Willits to Castro Valley!) at the 26th Annual Viking Opener. We had 59 runners (plus one coach) compete -- a record turnout!

Let's look at the various team results:

* Jr/Sr Girls: 2nd
* Fr/Soph Girls: 13th
* Open Girls: 2nd

* Senior Boys: 3rd
* Junior Boys: 8th
* Fr/Soph Boys: 6th
* Open Boys: 3rd

Complete results, including a combined top 50 performance list across all races, can be found at the PD running site: www.northbay.com/running

The most important development today was the emergence of your racing instincts. Most of you have now had 3 races, and the rookies on the team are finally seeing the benefits of consistent training. We saw focused, determined efforts. We saw runners who were willing to test their limits. We saw a lot of smiles after the races. It feels good to run fast, doesn't it?!


Thursday, September 15, 2011

Viking Opener Race Times

8:35 Middle Schools
9:00 Frsoh Soph Boys(5) Aden, Ethan, Jake, Isaiah, Josh
9:20 Frosh Soph Girls(5) Sarah, Jenny, Emma, Jordan, Irma
9:45 Alumni Carrie, Sean, DK
10:15 Junior Boys(5) Mikie, Jahnberg, Cris, Patrick, Jackson
10:35 Junior Senior Girls (5) Sadia, Eva, Evvy, Emily, Marina
11:00 Open Girls (Unlimited) All the other girls
11:25 Senior Boys (5) Jon Peck, Michael T, Jordan, Connor M, Niko
11:45 Open Boys (Unlimited) All the other boys
12:10 Awards

Please try to stay for the awards. We always have a very spirited group that garners many, many medals.

Frosh soph boys need to be at our team area by 8AM. Frosh soph Girls need to be there by 8:15. Everyone else needs to be there by 9:00 so that we can cheer on and support Freshmen and Sophomore teams.

PARKING!
Please park at the Violetti entrance to Spring Lake. Meet management and the Park has asked us to do so. We cannot park at Oak Knoll. Over 30 schools will be in attendance. Please follow that request. From the lower parking lot at Violetti to the start area is about a 15 minute walk. That is good for everyone.

Lets have a great turnout to root on our mighty Panther runners. Come dressed in your birghtest Orange and Black bearing booming voices.

Lets Go Panthers!!!

Pre-Viking Opener Pasta Feed This Friday


Friday, September 16, we will be having a pasta feed from 6-9 pm at Eva's house. It's at 3970 Montecito Avenue off of Chanate (a bit confusing since the address is Montecito Avenue but the road sign says Woodbrae lane). There is a law firm half way up the drive on the left with a big parking lot, but drive slowly and watch out for the big boulders when you’re driving up. Turning around is difficult, so try to carpool if possible.
Map: http://tinypic.com/r/2sbl8au/7

Freshman: Salad
Sophomores: Bread
Juniors: Drinks
Seniors: Desserts

There will be a pool, so feel free to bring a bathing suit and towel. Call Eva with any questions at 843-0677. If you need to get flats, stop by spike night (see below post), and then head over to the pasta feed. You can also go before the pasta and still get the 20% off, but no prizes/pizza.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Last Chance To Get Discounted Racing Flats!

Heart and Sole is having our second and final "Spike Night" this Friday, September 16th from 6:30-8 pm. All flats are 20% off, so make sure you take advantage of this great deal if you've been racing in normal running shoes, or if you just need new flats. Cross country flats are akin to track spikes: lightweight racing shoes that allow you to run your fastest time possible. Saucony will be there, handing out giveaways and a free raffle for everyone who purchases flats. Delicious (and free!) pizza from NY Pie next door will also be served. Come join in the fun!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Practice Change

Thursday Sept 15 Practice will be immediately after school at 12:35. We will be going to the graveyard.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

ED SIAS RE-CAP!! Slaying the Monster!

What a day at Hidden Valley Park in Martinez, CA! The course is only 2 miles, but it is a challenging and hilly course with lots of tough footing. The final climb, about 400 meters from the finish, is a heart-stopping, leg-cramping, soul-sucking monster. Don't worry... we slayed the monster!

Carrie arrived waaaay early to run the coaches'/community race where she raced to place 3rd woman overall. Her legs do not thank her, but she was able to gather valuable reconnaissance for the later missions by our Panthers!

The JV boys started things off with Avi Ballo leading the SENIOR STAMPEDE of Alex Thomas, William Hoberg, Gavin Von Seggerin, Connor Runge, and Ben Davidson. Patrick Kennedy also raced well! He needs to patent his kick!

Frosh/Soph boys were next with Ethan Foster making a statement, running an outstanding time of 12:23! Josh Peck, Ben Lara, and Jack Brady ran solid times for our sophomores. Frosh Justin Therman kicked in hard, and Dustin Engel led a spirited charge up "Finale Hill."

Our All Grade Open/Unlimited Boys race included Ed Sias veterans Jonathan Cutcher with an impressive 14:18 and Jake Walker with a big improvement over last year! The rest were race newbies Ben Hughes, Alex Hong, and Jonathan Doyle. Way to fight!

The Varsity Boys brought their Division I "A" game to the course. Jordan Guerrero passed a bazillion people in the last 400 to garner 7th place and a hard-to-run sub 11:00 time (10:52). Michael Tomasi PR'd, and Christian "Orange Streak/I'll run this course every day and love it" Nazarek was not far behind. A fast finishing trio of Jonathan Peck, Jonathan Ahnberg, and Michael Kennedy came next, with Niko Lecoeueche (too many e's in there, huh?) stepped up to the Varsity plate with a strong race of his own. BEST OF ALL, the Varsity Boys eked out a 4th place finish (MEDALS!) and another victory over rivals Maria Carrillo. Jordan was interviewed on Flotrack and didn't sound like an ignorant teenager! Yay! Link: http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/240221-2011-Ed-Sias-Invitational/video/506393-Jordan-Guerrero-Northgage-HS-7th-place-V-Boys-Large-School-at-the-2011-Ed-Sias-Invitational


The first girls to race were the JV girls, led once again by the Natalie "Fritzenator" Fritz. She placed 3rd with a stellar 14:59 with Ellie Paul not far behind in 8th! How heavy are those top 10 medals, ladies? Amber Peters, Kyra Kennedy, Sienna Lish, and Luz Huerta attacked the course to help their team earn 4th place overall (AND MORE MEDALS!!)

Next up for the girls was the Frosh/Soph race! Super Frosh Emma Pierson ran like a veteran to lead the way. Sophomores Morgan Bertsch, Jordan Codding, Jinny Tran, and Cierra Beltran stomped the hills too. Jordan had an impressive finish, and Cierra could barely contain her excitement after she ran!

Lucia Ronan and Kassie Walker ran in the Unlimited race, positioning themselves well and holding it throughout the undulating course. Awesome!

The Varsity Girls ended the day, with the temperatures and winds both rising. Sadia Ibrahim, Eva Herbst, and Trixie Scolari got off the line quickest and ably held their position throughout the race. Evvy Archibald and Sarah Withers both had huge finishes, with Marina Lecoueche (did I get it right?) in hot pursuit, and Emily Rozga just a bit after. The girls earned 5th place overall in a tough tough tough Large School Division.

Overall, Panthers came to race! Many of you raced this course for the first time, and you discovered that last week's race at Rancho was not really a "true" cross country course. This was. The terrain is challenging and tests you both physically and mentally. You all aced this test!