LO rosters deep for 2010
MORGAN HILL — Track and field numbers are up at Live Oak High School — more than 50 athletes are on this year’s roster as opposed to 30 in 2009 — but the goal for each athlete has not changed.
If the Acorns can fulfill their standard of recording a new personal-record mark each week, everything else should fall into place.
“We don’t focus on team scores or winning meets,” coach Jon Michael Porras said last week. “We want to get better each week. That’s the only way we’re going to be able to do anything special late in the season.”
The Lady Acorns have plenty of athletes who could be in for an enjoyably long spring. The list starts with seniors Stephanie Armstrong, Pauline Olsen and Erika Rodriguez, who have been staple qualifiers for the Central Coast Section Semifinals. Armstrong broke through to the 2009 CCS Finals where she placed fifth in high jump at 5 feet, 2 inches.
This season, Olsen and Rodriguez could join her there in each short-track event. Olsen is racing in the 200 and 400 meters, which she qualified for CCS Finals in 2008, and Rodriguez is set for the 100- and 200-meter sprints.
“They both have been working hard this offseason, getting into the weight room and staying in shape,” Live Oak distance coach Mike Sullivan said. “Pauline is trying to break under 57 seconds in the 400. She has that number circled.”
Rodriguez is just as determined after narrowly missing the cut for section finals in both of her events last year. She set a new PR (26.18) in the 200 during an exhibition meet in Gilroy two weeks ago.
“Erika’s off to a great start,” Sullivan said. “We’re not as focused on technique right now, but she’s looking good.”
Olsen and Rodriguez will race in the mile relay and rejoin Catherine Sparling and Lauren Drewniany in a 4×100-meter relay that holds a school record (50.6). Those four have already clocked 51.8 this year.
“Last season, they weren’t doing that until April,” Sullivan said. “That just shows how far they can go.”
Armstrong has a fair chance of qualifying for state, though she is struggling with her usual bout of leg injuries. It helps that she gave up running the 300-meter hurdles.
“That’s a luxury we can afford. We have a big team,” Porras said. “Kids can focus on one or two events.”
Sparling and Drewniany may double up at CCS Semifinals in the 200 and triple jump, respectively. Freshman Fa Saulala is a lock to go far in shot put after the multisport standout recorded 30–1 with her very first throw.
“That would have put her in CCS a year ago,” Sullivan said. “The last person that made it out of (Blossom Valley Athletic League Finals) threw 28-7.”
The Live Oak boys team will be equally competitive in Santa Teresa Division dual meets. Like their counterparts, the Acorns evolve around two veteran-heavy relays, including a fully restored 4×400-meter group. That foursome starts with Jacob Daw, then Eric Tolson, Kean Vaziry and anchor Jacob Montoya, who played a key role in helping Live Oak’s football and soccer teams make the postseason this year. Montoya also will anchor the 4×100 relay and join Tolson in the 400.
“Jacob ran a great relay leg last week. He’s getting back into form after soccer really nicely,” Sullivan said. “Their first run together was (two weeks ago), and they were two seconds from within a PR.”
Conversely, Live Oak is breaking in a new 4×100 relay. Montoya will race with a combination of Tolson, Taylor Alonzo, T.J. Ornduff and Nick Sosebee.
“They’re slowly piecing it together,” Porras said.
Along with depth, the Live Oak boys have versatility. Alonzo can run both the 100 and 200, Daw is experienced in high jump, triple jump, the 400 and 300 hurdles, and Ornduff and Sosebee will try their legs at triple jump.
Three-sport letterman Dominic Leach could make an immediate impact in high jump and the 4×100 relay. The senior will jump alongside Artie Valencia.
“Leach is the kind of athlete that can do it all,” Porras said. “We’re going to use him to our advantage.”
Adam Groen, one of two Acorns who qualifed for the Division III championship meet during cross country season, is Live Oak’s best distance runner. The junior can race in the 800 meters but will likely stick with the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Alex Ukanwa and Valencia will join him in the half mile.
