Summer 2008: Coach Rik’s Recap
By Rik Richardson
September 1, 2008

What an incredible summer it was to say the least. From the Hershey’s meets to AAU to USATF; our club made our presence felt on all levels. From our youth athletes to our high school seniors, it turned out to be a memorable summer for the club.

What stood out most in my mind was is that none of our relay teams dropped the baton which the USA Olympic team could not say.

But in all seriousness, our relays stole the show this summer when you have 350,000 participants in the Hershey meets and we have two relay team’s on the medal stand placing third plus Olivia Cotton’s finish is a heck of an accomplishment for one team.

In the 13-14 boys 4x100 meter relay, the team of Adeola Olayomi, Rostislay Matus, Joshua Slaton and Jeffrey Chen set a club record with a time of 49.63 during the Hershey’s National Meet.

The club even set some records at various events starting way back when Haley Lukas shattered the 400m CYO record and tied the 200m record (which I still believe she broke). Lukas also advanced in AAU by winning the state in the 400m dash in Tulare at Bob Mathias Stadium. Although she did not choose to go to the National meet, it was still a wonderful accomplishment.

Hailey Mann, with her second place finish in her very first race in the 800m was quite spectacular. A sprinter moving up to a mid-distance is quite a risk and it worked out to her benefit. I knew she could do it, and it proves she has a future in it.

It was a little over a year ago when I ran into Sam Hyams and turned a project into a college scholarship athlete at UC Irvine. Here is a kid who I now look back on and am amazed he can come from a guy who was a long jumper into a distance runner—let alone a 4:16 mile record holder at Foothill High school.

Looking back, it just goes to show you what a little hard work, dedication and heart will do to someone. Hyams was a perfect example of someone taking this program and running with it latterly. He wasn’t the most gifted kid I have ever coached, but he was hardest working athletes I’ve ever coached in just a years time—I really think he will bloom down in Irvine.

The Los Gatos meets were a wonderful experience for the club. I believe we were the biggest team down there and performed the best with a lot of high place finishes. The team of Sophia, Hannah, Nadia and Sarina set the new club record of 70.74 for the 4x100 relay in the 12 and under age group.

Club Changes for the fall

As of September 1, 2008 we are proud to announce a few small tweaks to the fall practice schedule. Going into the cross country season, we are going to be doing cross-training in both distance and relay exchanges.

Simply put, practices will be split between base training and relay strategies. There will also be a option for hill runs on the weekends.

We are going to be running some cross country meets and if we qualify we will be headed to the National meet. We also will have options of running 3k-5k meets around the area.

I also would like to let it be known; I will be changing my practice hours to benefit your child’s and your schedules as I will be available from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at our designated practice location.