Amidst humidity and scorching temperatures in the high 90s this past week, members of the Pleasanton Heat captured high honors in the nation’s largest and most prestigious youth meet, the United States Track & Field Association Junior Olympic National Championship Finals, at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.
Only 48 athletes or teams in each of five age divisions are able to reach the national finals in any given event. The top eight finishers at the national finals achieve All-American status, with additional honors for top 10 and top 20 finishers. The competition included many athletes who had represented the U.S.A. in the World Youth Championships held earlier this month in the Czech Republic.
The Region 14 Champion Pleasanton Heat Intermediate boys’ 4-by-800 meter relay team (for runners age 15-16) was able to capture the All-American award with a fifth-place national finish. The runners are Drew Callen from Granada High School, James Langford from Amador Valley High School, Sean Colaco from San Ramon Valley High School and Toshi Kellogg from Acalanes High School. Coach Kevin McCarthy praised the effort of all the runners, who came together despite injuries and the weather to post a time of 8:21.
“It shows what can happen when individuals pull together to try to overcome the odds with the power of their will,” he said.
Three of the four runners can return in the same age group next year, for the nationals in Omaha, Neb.
Also achieving the coveted top 10 status was Kyla Aiuto,12, finishing ninth in the 3,000 meters (11:24:41). She also finished 15th in the 1,500 meters (5:15:40).
Other top 20 finishers were Colaco, doubling in an event the next morning after the relay for 16th in the 3,000 meters (9:47:20); and Sahit Menon, 10, achieving top 20 in the nation in two events, with 15th overall in the 100 meters (13.94) and 16th in the 400 meters (1:08:53).
–Jim Langford
