SCOTTSDALE, AZ - The heat and the high humidity did not hinder performances at the George Young Invitational as the steam appeared to rise from the grass at the Sanctuary Golf Course in Scottsdale. The first event of the day was the boys varsity race as Sophomore, Jorge Martinez from Alhambra took the lead at the half mile mark and held it until the finish. As Martinez came up the hill for the final stretch he disappeared into the crowd, standing on the course, not realizing a runner was weaving around them trying to get to the finish line. "It was a good race," said Martinez who finished the race in 15:21 and appeared to be unfazed by the crowded finish. (Top 10 boys pictured below)
Junior Jessica Tonn, Xavier Prep, added another win to her long resume. The three mile race, on a very hilly course, went out at a quick pace, "A couple of girls took it out pretty fast," said Tonn, "there was a Gilbert girl who was out ahead of me and a couple of girls hung on the whole time and gave me a run for my money in the first mile." Tonn took the lead at the mile mark and continued to widen the gap, giving her a 16 second victory (18:06) over second place Sarah Milville (18:22.0) of Ironwood Ridge and third place Ann Bawden (18:22.7) of Highland.
Alhambra placed five runners in the top 30 but Mesa Mountain View edged them out by having all their scoring runners in the top 26 with three being in the top nine. Mesa Mountain View won both the boys (65) and the girls (74) team events even without top runners Cami Jackson and Ben Williams. Ironwood Ridge girls came in second with 75 points, just one point out of first place. Corona del Sol was third with 84 points.
Xavier Prep was missing their number 2 and 3 runners. Sara Penney was on a college visit and Daylee Burr was walking around the course with a boot on. When asked if she was going to be ready for Doug Conley her response was, "I will run with two canes if I need to!"
A surprised guest appearance by George Young himself (pictured left) brightened the morning. The four time Olympian, (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972) and bronze medalist in the 1968 3000 meter steeplechase gave a brief impromptu talk to the athletes and parents before the awards presentation. Young, a U of A graduate also broke the 5000 meter
American Record, along with Steve Prefontaine, at the 1972 Olymmpic Trials. "People always ask me to
tell them my secrets about running," Young said to the crowd, "I use to think I had some (secrets) but I found out that my only secret was, the further and faster I ran day after day, the better I got!"
The awards were handed out by another special guest, former Xavier runner, Stephanie Rothstein (pictured left and below). After her graduation from Xavier in 2002, Rothstein headed to Santa Barbara where she became a two time all american before heading to the Olympic Trials last July placing 12th in the 10,000 meter run. Now living in Eugene Oregon, Rothstein was in town to speak at an event at Xavier high school. Her amazing story of her journey from high school to the Olympic Trials, her life changing events and the people who have influenced her, is awe-inspiring.
The afternoon ended with a little fun. There was a little mix up with the boys awards so instead of a medal (which will be mailed at a later date) the announcer, Ron Smith, told the boys they would get a handshake......or a hug from Stephanie. Each boys stepped up to get a handshake but when it came to those Highland boys (pictured right), they wanted a hug and they got one!