Nationals Bound!

It was another great showing by the Delta Hawks! In Modesto this weekend, we had nine Hawks representing the team at the USATF Region 16 National Qualifying Meet with 2,600 other athletes from Central and Northern California as well as Nevada.  It was hot, but our intrepid athletes did their best to compete with the best in the West.  And we ended up with FOUR National Qualifiers in SIX races!  This is the first year we have ever qualified a Hawk for Nationals - way to go!

We had a number of amazing performances this weekend, including:

• Continuing his tremendous season, Elias dominated in both his races.  In the 3000m, after running the first half in National Record pace, Elias finished in 9:57, winning by 50 seconds and setting himself up for a big PR at nationals.  Elias also comfortably won the 1500m by 6 seconds even though running a time 5 seconds slower than his PR, qualifying him for Nationals in both races.
• Adeleine keeps improving and racing like a champion, also qualifying in both the 1500m and the 3k. First, Adeleine finished 5th in the 3000m, and then she battled to a 3-second PR in the 1500m, running 5:15 and finishing 7th to secure her second event at Nationals.
• I think Natalie found her race! She has now run two phenomenal 3000m races, and seems to get stronger each time.  This weekend she ran 12:19 (a 13-second PR!) to finish 6th and qualify for Nationals.
• Hadley had a hard time in her 1500m, the heat was tough today.  Nevertheless, she was still able to tough it out and qualify for Nationals with a 6th place finish, rounding out the Delta Hawks contingent.
• Harper ran a courageous race, finishing 6th in the fast heat and nearly running her PR, but unfortunately a few girls from the first heat beat her time and left her on the outside looking in this year for Nationals.
• Ryko finished a strong season with a PR in the 3000m, but it wasn't enough to qualify in either of his races amidst a strong field.
• Joshua also ran a PR in the 800m, but was unable to break into the top 8 in either that race or the 1500m, despite giving his best in both.

For those of you Hawks who are in town the weekend of July 30th and 31st, you might consider coming over to Sac State and cheering on your teammates as they compete in the Junior Olympics against the best in the country!  You can find out more information here, or reach out to me and I'm happy to tell you the details.

Once again, congratulations Delta Hawks on a great season and let's get ready for more success as we roll into XC beginning August 22nd.

Geaux Hawks!

Coach Eric