The five runners competing at today’s state track meet,
including Courtney Allen in the 1,600 and the boys’ 4×400 relay
team, will first attend graduation before heading to Clovis
HOLLISTER
Athletes tend to get all of the perks.
Before they will be able to cross the finish line at today’s CIF Track and Field State Championships in Clovis, Courtney Allen, Ryan Shorey, Nik Soza and Justin Williams must first cross the stage in Hollister and receive their high school diploma.
They’ll be the first four in the 2009 senior class to cross, of course. Hopefully, they’ll be one of the first to cross in Clovis as well.
“As soon as they are allowed to walk across the stage and get their [diplomas],” boys coach Iran White said, “we’re out of there.
“We don’t want to be rushed.”
Added Allen, “(Girls) Coach (Laurie) Cottrell said after you receive your diploma, just keep walking toward the parking lot.”
One would think graduating from high school would provide plenty of distractions, none of which would be helpful prior to a state track and field meet. But for an event that drew some 10,000 spectators last year, White said, and one that is known to sometimes get the best of its competitors, a distraction may actually be a welcome sign.
“I think it helps that were doing something to keep our mind off of it,” Shorey said.
Every little bit helps.
4×400 – Justin Williams, Jason Roascio, Nik Soza, Ryan Shorey
Shorey, Soza, Williams and sophomore Jason Roascio will head east to Buchanan High School’s Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis as the 19th seeded 4×400 relay team. Although only the top nine advance to Saturday’s state finals, San Benito’s recent knack for shaving time should keep them in the discussion up until its 9:20 p.m. race time.
“We may be top dog in our section, but state is a whole different level,” said Shorey, who returns to state after qualifying in the 400 last year. “Can we perform in front of that many people? Are we gonna crack with all of the yelling and screaming?
“We know there is gonna be pressure.”
1,600 – Courtney Allen
Before she was able to set a school record in the 1,600 meters at the CCS Championships, Courtney Allen studied film of her competition with distance coach Jess Morales.
However, entering today’s state meet seeded 17th among 27 harriers, Allen is without film of her opponents. Although she is well aware of distance runners from the CCS, including Mountain View’s Allison Sturges (4:59.32) and Gunn’s Erin Robinson (5:02.24), as well Bishop O’Dowd’s Damajeria Dubose (4:53.98), who she raced against at the Sacramento Meet of Champions, Allen will be up against a slew of unknowns.
“Do I have anything left? Yeah, I know I do,” Allen said. “I’ve never really hit the wall. I peaked at the right part of the season, around TCALs and CCS.
“But being pushed makes it easier to get a faster time. If I’m not in a heat with fast competition, I probably won’t improve.
“I’ll just do what I do.”
Read the full story in Friday’s edition of The Weekend Pinnacle.
