Running for their lives

Both the men's and women's track & field teams are looking to make their own mark after the individual successes of last year.

The women's team won the state title last year and was anchored by a heptathelete trio, none of whom returned.

The men's team had many of it's athletes graduate, become ineligible or move on to other sports.

But there are a few holdovers from the teams that have stepped up to excell in their individual races.

One being Tavonia Clay, who recently finished first in the 100-meter dash in 12.48 in the BakersfieldRelays last Friday.

Amanda Rosencratz, who placed fourth in the 400-meter at last year's state championship, has continued to excell in the 400-meter dash.

In the South Coast Conference All-Teams Invitational on March 8, she placed first in the with 400-meter dash with a time of 57.88 to help team finish second overall with 138 team points.

But the veterans aren't doing all of the work.

There are a few standout first-year players who have been showing that they're just as, if not more so, speedy than their more seasoned teamates.

Khandie Brooks (who graduated from my alma mater Dorsey High School in Los Angeles), has been a consistent runner in the 100 meter dash.

Rayneshia Pitts has become a speedy runner as well.

In the Bakersfield Relay, Brooks finished third (12.95) and Pitts fifth (13.27) in the 100-meter dash.

The men are in a similar predicament, though they don't have as much expectation to live up to as do the women.


According to team member Anthony Harbor, the men's 4x400 team is missing two of its normal runners. Even in that case, he felt that the team still did well in the Cerritos Invitational.

The team has a few notable returners including Harbor and Dennis Drisdom, who usually participates in the 800-meter run.

Harbor placed first in 400-meter hurdles with a time of 55.35 the SCC All-Team Meet.

Another is Genoa Dill, who has been doing well in the 200-meter run. He was also a wide reciever on the football teamin the fall semester.

A noteworthy first-year member is Daniel Clifford-Sorenson, who was the best runner on the cross-country team in the fall semester.

At the USC Trojan relay Invitational on Feb. 23, he placed third in the 3000-Meter Steeplechase with a time of 9.26.99 and was part of the 4x100-Meter Relay team that came in fourth with a time of 43.02.

Cerritos has always had great runners in the 100-meter dash and heptathalon. But the teams need to improve on its weak areas such as hurdles and relay races.


What's odd about both teams, is that in all of the prestigious heats, such as the 4x4 relay or 100-meter dash, those are the weakest areas.

Women's head coach Michael Allen said that one of the weakest areas for both teams are the realy races. He also mentioned that technical things, such as late hand-offs, could use vast improvement.

It's strong in its strong points, but weak in its weak points.

The team has the annual California Relays coming up this Friday and Saturday, in which it will face schools from all accross the state and in the process get to show off the new track placed in Falcon Stadium.

The teams should use this meet to get stronger and also get ready for state title in May.