Weekend Review : Umoja Invitational

Umoja Invitational - Santa Clara, CA [results]

Santa Clara, CA - It was a weekend of sunshine and fast times at the Umoja Track Club played host to the Umoja T&F Invitational. For the first time , the Umoja Track and Field program open the outdoor season on their home track with a two-day invitational meet which gave way to some of this seasons most sensational performances and results that prove to be outstanding to say the least. With a mix of veterans, newcomers, All-Americans and returning Junior Olympic champions the meet got off to a fast start on Saturday with a field that included Umoja TC, 3MTC, Mission Valley, Phenom Elite, Pacific United, ISC International, LSI Sprint, Delta Bay a number of Unattached Athletes and many, many more......

The action kicked off on Saturday and concluded on Sunday at Santa Clara High School. Results from Saturday saw Spencer Moore of 3M taking the Youth Girls 3000 meter title while coming through in 10:37.91. Sarah Orders (Una) took 2nd while Diablo valley's Annie Marggraff cross the line in 12:08.60 to take the bronze. In the Youth Boys 3000 meter run, Central Valley's Andrew Osgood took its title in a time of 9:57.09 which was good enough to earn him an All- American spot ranked 7th. With Harry Curtis of Palo Alto lighting not far behind, Evan Baxter (Roseville Express) took the second spot as he cross the line in 10:24.04.

• Girl's 1500m Race Walk

Former Umoja standout, Junior Olympic Champion and current National Leader Caitlin Palacio of San Jose returned in raw form. Leading all season Caitlin showed why she's the defending champion as her performance brought her across the line in 8:50.90. Umoja's own Tessa Marshall, with an outstanding performance walk to the finish at 9:58.73. Her effort would be good enough to earn her the 3rd national spot and her place on the 2008 outdoor track and field Honor Roll.

• Boy's 1500m Race Walk

Silver Junior Olympic Medalists and Regional 14 Champion, Daimon Todd from the host team Umoja strolled to victory in the Midget Boys 1500 meter race-walk. In a time of 8:39.87 daimon's only competition was the clock. The defending Regional champion is hoping to walk his way into the records books to see fall, a 5 year old record held by Alika Okamitsu (Diablo Valley).

• Girl's 800m Run

The Bantan Girls 800 meter run saw 3 athletes go under 3 minutes at 2:37.50, 2:50.63 and 2:58.07. 3M's Nyela Cade, Central Valley's Averell Aungst and Acorn Oscar Bailey�s Mya Hinkston, went one, two, three to lead off a campaign of distance performances.

Aida Julien and Jasmine Hardy of 3M claimed the Midget Girls 800 meters. The duo proved to be the meets favorite as they doubled in their performances and came back to go one and two in the 1500 meter run at 5:16.80 and 5:17.66 respectively.

Nijae Jones of 3M led all season long in the 800 meters where she capped off an outstanding season with winning time of 2:22.98. Keirnan Hawthrone of MP Elite Track Club clocked 2:27.66 for second place while Kylie Cleveand of Umoja track club took 4th behind 3rd place Kayla Knapp with a time of 2:38.40

• Boys 800m Run

On the Bantan Boys side of competition some highlights included 3M's Bryan Morris who sprinted to victory in two laps, two minutes and thirty eight seconds. Morris also dominated the Bantam's 400 meters in a time of 1:06.40. Isaiah Turner of Delta Bay took the silver (1:08.08 ), Nashon Wright of Mission Vallley took the bronze (1:11.85) while teammate Dante Lucas rolled in at 4th place with a time of 1:13.17.

The Midget Boys 800 meter run went to Jalen doss who won the event in 2:20.09. Cameron Meszaros of LSI slipped into 2nd place out edging teammate Malik Egeberuare at the tape as the duo went 2:29.61 and 2:29.64.

Nigel Burgess got things going for the Youth Boys 800 with an impressive win in 2:13.90. Not far behind was 3M's Mariano Roy who clocked 2:14.40 across the line. The 2 top finishers dominated the field by over 8 seconds.

• 400m Run

In the Bantam Girls 400 meters Lauren Reed (Hilltop Speed) was first overall crossing the line in 1:11.74. Also picking up solid finishes were Ashanti Johnson (3M) and Dannielle Drew (Central Valley). Some first place heat finishers were Toni Edwards (NorCal Pacesetters), Sydnie Bunel (LSI Sprint), Ashley Devers (Acorn Oscar Bailey), Artearra Coffey (Oakland Pal) and Aishah Ahmad (EPA Greyhounds).

Christina Chenault put her mark as the favorite when she cross the line in 1:04.41 to take the Midget Girls 400 meter title. Behind her in second place was City Track standout Tera Hurley (1:05.68) who returned this season after suffering a leg injury that kept her out the Championship seasn last year (glad to see her back). Mission Valley's Janise Powell took the bronze in 1:08.72. But missing in action was home town favorite Giovanna Raffin of LSI who�s been out attending to family business. We hope to see her return soon to mix things up a little.

Iesha Hardiman of ISC International took top honors in the Youth Girls 400 meters. Hardiman cruised in at an easy 59.51 to take the title. Hardiman who has ran 56.67 this year was hoping to match up with Sasha Wallace of 3M whose time of 57.61 makes her the association leader. With the championship season quickly approaching this will be one of the most anticipated match ups this season. Some other notables were Nijae Jones (3M) at 1:01.35, Keirnan Hawthrone (MP Elite) 1:03.03 and Kylie Palacio (San Jose) 1:03.87.

In the Midget Boys 400 meter. Leading all season, Jalen Doss quickly established a lead and easily cross the line in 1:00.54. Behind him in second was LSI's Cameron Meszaros in a time of 1:04.16. Delshawn Mitchell of hosts Umoja Track Club was running well and in fight for second place before pulling up at 330 meters. But with great effort he was able to finish the race despite his injury and cross the line at 1:08.91. With the first day of competition coming to a close the Youth Boys 400 meters saw 8 athletes go under 60 seconds. Jordan Riggins of Vpal Fast Forward has the fastet time of 58.40. Steven Parjan (NorCal Pacesetters) was second in 57.28. First year youth Christopher Kirtman of City Track took the bronze in a time of 59.04.

• Sunday Competition

The final day of competition on Sunday had many great performances. As Mostly sunny skies paraded over the foothills, as the temperature topped out about 71 degrees over forty titles would be claimed on day two of the Umoja Track & Field Invitational.

• 4x100 Relay

The Bantam Girls 4x100 relays quickly turned up the heat to get things started as 3M's own Fantastic Four blistered across the line in 56.70. EPA Greyhounds took charge and took silver with a time of 1:01.64 with only 2 tenths separating them Third Place went to Pacific United in 1:01.80.

The Bantam Boys 4x100 relay went to the hosts team Umoja Track Club. The quartet ran the tables in a time of 58.98 to take the title. EPA Greyhounds, Stockton B Fast and Panther Track followed, two, three and four. Midget Girls 4x100 saw a close race between 1 Hilltop Speed and Stockton Starz with Hilltop taking the tape in 55.22 over a 55.34 finish by the Starz. Hilltop Speed's B Team ran in at third with a time of 58.27 followed closely by Phenom Elite as they crossed the line in 58.99.

The Midget Boys 4x100 went to the hosts team again taking top honors. Umoja Track Club outraced the field to take the win and the tape in a time of 52.49. Despite some handoff problems LSI Sprints foursome was able to hold on for second place and cross the line at 53.68. Hilltop Speed and Maccando Tenderloin took the third and fourth spot.

In the Youth Girls 4x100 Relay, Despite missing a few of their key players, ISC International was able to quickly take the lead and cruise to a win in 51.31 followed closely by Umoja Track Club with a second place time of 51.98. ISC hopes to have it players back in action before traveling to Los Angeles for the LA jets meets, where there will be plenty of competition. ISC has already ran 48.58 this year in their debut showing at the SFSU gator preview and hopes to drop that time for an upset in LA.

ISC again established dominance in the relays when their Youth Boy�s quartet took a quick lead to the field and got the baton around the track in 47.01 seconds. Took take the silver was Phenom Elite in 48.50 and with a team of all first year youth, B Sharp showed great promise when they cross the line in 49.38 for the bronze.

• 200 Meters

There were several noteable performances in the 200 meters. Leading the way was Aishah Ahmad of EPA Greyhounds and the only Bantam Girl to run under 30 seconds. Hilltop's standout Lauren Reed secured the second spot in a time of 30.00. Other Highlights included Ele Avery of MP Striders, Zehesha Oliver of Pacific United , Toni Edwards of NorCal Pacesetters and running solo in Section 7 of the Bantam girls 200m was LSI's Sydnie Bunel. First time association memeber Sydnie Bunel was left out of her heat and allowed to perform solo where she recieved an encouragement of applauds. Doing so she was able to run a personal best of 33.18.

Oscar James of Umoja TC provided highlights in the Bantam Boys section with his winning time of 29.05 to take the overall spot out just taking the tape from Matthew Runels of Mission Valley who ran a very close race at 29.07. In third place Jordan Beasely was the only other bantam to go under 30 seconds in a time of 29.48. Nyerin Buckley another sensation from 3M, came out strong for the last day of competition and continued her string of wins with an easy victory dashing to the victory with a 26.82 clocking. Tera Hurley, City Track and Jenifer Waldo, Roseville Express went two and three behind Buckley to secure the top three spots. The Midget boys took another step towards establishing itself as a division dynasty as 18 athletes ran umder 30 seconds. Aaron Jones of Mission Valley race to victory with a time of 26.39. Speeding to second place was Jalen Doss who earlier swept the 400 and 800 in signature fashion. Nathaniel Moore of Mission Valley followed Doss in third place in a time of 27.02 with Bryant Canada of LSI Sprint at a close fourth in 27.04. and it would be Hakeem Mays, Unattached to round out the top five with his time of 27.08.

Perhaps one of the more memorable performances was in the Youth Girls 200. In a heat that would race four girls under 26 seconds the association top 5 matched up on day two of competition and dropped a bomb! When Alexa Morris (ISC), Sasha Wallace (3M), Alexandra Diaz (LSI), Iesha Hardiman (ISC), Deja Pugh (B# Sharp) and Mission Valley standout, Atiya Harvey took the field a hush fell over the crowd and then it grew to whispers and finally to screams as the girls warmed up sprinting down the track into position to take center stage. As the gun went up people stood out of there seats and crowded the fences for their money's worth of competition. When the smoked cleared it was Alexandra, Alexa and Atiya out quick to first 100 in a time of 12.34. As the positioned started to unfold it was Alexa Morris of ISC out front with Harvey, Wallace and Diaz in hot pursuit. Across the line it would be Morris (ISC) in the drivers seat with Sasha Wallace (3M) sliding into the 2nd with Atiya Harvey and Alexandra Diaz only nine one-hundredths of a second behind to round out the top 4 spots with the final time of 25.54, 25.76, 25.81 and 25.86. A sensational display of speed and beauty the youth girls 200 proved to be a show stopper.

Almost equally memorable would be the Youth Boys 200 showdown. A race that would see 3 of the associations top sprinters go sub-24 in its sensational display of strength and speed. Byron Marshall, (Una), Johnny Beard (ISC) and Kenneth Walker (ISC) went 23.11, 23.18 and 23.84 to go one. two, three across the line. Other Highlights included Jordan Riggins of VPAL and Michael Panel of Umoja Track club to round out the top 5 finishers. Riggins and Panel both went 24.42 across the line for an impressive finish in their heats.

• 100 Meters

In one of the more glamour events the 100 meter drag races took place and people took notice. On the girls side the youth girls showed another hot heat. First year youth Alexandra Diaz of LSI ran exceptionally well. She clocked a career-best time of 12.56 to win the first heat and turn in the fastest time of the day ahead of defending Junior Olympic Champion Atiya Harvey (12.66). Cydney Leath of LSI and Alexa Morris of ISC were the only others to run under 13 seconds in 12.99 to make the finals. However in the it would be Alexa Morris to to win the top section of the 100 meters finals in a Personal Best of 12.41 with former teammate and friend Alexandra Diaz of LSI following closely behind to set another Personal Best of 12.53. Missing in the action was defending Junior Olympic Champion Atiya Harvey who earlier pull a hamstring strain in the 200 meter finals. We wish Atiya a quick recover.

Earlier Nyerin Buckely of 3M would be the only athlete to go sub-13 in the Midget Girls 100 meters in a time of 12.91. It would be Buckley's second individual victory where she earlier won the 200 meters in Buckely fashion. Miesha Gash (Hilltop Speed) took the silver in front of Daijah Colvin of B Sharp who claimed the bronze to seal the top three spots.

In the Youth Boys 100 it was another rendition of "Three the Hard way". With Byron Marshall, Johnny Beard and Kenneth Walker at the Helm! It was Johnny Beard of ISC looking to return the favor in what would turn out to be a drag race to the finish. With the margin of victory only one one-hundredths of a second it would be Johnny Beard in a trade off to take the tape at 11.54. Marshall would be a close second at 11.56 with Kenneth Walker taking the third spot at 11.85 and, Kermit Wright of Phenom Elite with a time of 11.95 to close the deal. Four Boys at sub-12 � should make for some exciting competition when these four match up again.

• 80 Meters Hurdles

Perhaps the performance of the day goes to the Midget Boys 80 meter hurdles. Umoja played host to perhaps one of the most anticipated showdowns. National ranked #1 seed, Samson Moore (Central Valley) and #2 seed Tyson Hill (LSI) would face off to close a day that has already been filled with great performances. It was Tyson Hill out quick to take the lead over four hurdles with Samson closing fast. Armand Shyne of 3M would surprise the crowd quickly keeping up with Hill over 8 hurdles. With Samson closing fast it would come down to a photo finish with Samson to take the tape at 13.09 and hold his #1 spot. Armand Shyne would edge out Tyson Hill at the finish to take the silver and the #2 seeded spot in the Nation. Tyson Hill would slip into third place and #3 seed in the Nationl and would later say �I got too comfortable out front and let my lead slip, but luckily there�s a next time so I�m happy with my performances�. Cheers erupted in the Central Valley�s Camp when receiving the news of Samson victory. It was truly a treat to see the spirit of competition shine through the sometimes win-at-all-cost attitudes. With the Pacific Association having the top three hurdlers in the Nation, we are truly in for a treat the next time these three boys match up at the line.

Over all it was a day of fun and excitement. With solid showings from many athletes this meet was definitely one of the best we�ve seen in a longtime. On behalf of the Track and Field Community and the Pacific Association I would like to thank Umoja Track Club, Coaches and Staff for hosting a wonderful weekend of excitement. As the Championship season quickly approaches we hope that many more exciting meets will follow.