Central Valley Roadrunner's Move to 1,500 puts the
FUN Back in Running
By Vicky Boyd
Two years ago, Andrew
Osgood was a middle-of-the-pack sprinter in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter
runs. But a change of scenery and a move to the 800- and 1,500-meter runs this
year has made the difference for this Central Valley Roadrunner.
The
Modesto resident took first in the midget boys' 1,500 meter-run at the East Bay
Heat Sectionals in Berkeley, March 25, with 5:22:25. He also anchored the
Roadrunners' A 4x800 relay team to a win with 11:33. Andrew ran his leg in 2:43.
Andrew repeated his first-place 1,500 performance on April 1, winning by
a nose at the B# Track Club Sectionals in Hercules with a personal record of
5:16. Earlier that same day, he came in a close second in the 800 with a p.r. of
2:37.
Andrew says he decided to try longer distances after attending high
school track meets with his mother, Jana, who is head track coach at Downey High
School in Modesto.
He also likes the mental part of the
sport.
"There's more of a strategy than just running all out," Andrew
says of the 1,500. "It's more of what do I do the first 400 and the last
400?"
Since Andrew took up the longer distances this season, his father,
Scott, has seen a difference in his son's outlook.
"The coaching has
helped him night and day," Scott says. "He loves to go to track every night.
He's always motivated. It's the most fun he's ever had."
Scott also has
noticed a newfound confidence in his 11-year-old.
"He feels like now he
knows he can do it," Scott says. "Every time he goes out now, he knows he can do
better."
Andrew already has goals for the remainder of the season.
Within the next few meets, he plans to run below 5:10 in the 1,500, his favorite
event. He also hopes to go to the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics in
Baltimore, Md., in July, but he admits it will take hard work.
"I'll talk
with friends off the track when we're getting ready, but when I get on the
track, I am focused and my goal is to be first across the finish line," Andrew
says.
And with his positive attitude and work ethic, Andrew has a good
chance of achieving his goals, says Roadrunners distance coach Jeff
Lozano.
"Some kids have the fire in their eyes," Lozano says. "Some kids
have the fire in their heart, and Andrew has both. He's also always willing to
learn."
If you know a Pacific Association USA Track and Field
youth athlete you'd like to see profiled, contact Vicky Boyd at (209) 571-0419
or [email protected].
