2009 ASU Invitational

On March 28, the Arizona State University Track and Field program hosted its second meet of the 2009 outdoor season, the ASU Invitational. The meet produced 17 NCAA regional qualifying marks for the Sun Devils, 120 total NCAA regional qualifying marks, seven meet records, and one stadium record. Kara Patterson, the 2008 US Olympic Trials champion competing for Purdue, established the new stadium record when she tossed the javelin 58.41m to win the women’s competition. Local track fans also had a chance to see former Arizona high school state champions Kristin Phillips and Natalie Johnson compete for their respective out-of-state schools.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2009 ASU Invitational ***

Kara Patterson set a new stadium record for the women's javelin

ASU freshman Mason McHenry recorded the sixth best time in school history, 1:48.25, in his outdoor 800 meter debut with the Sun Devils

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2009 Baldy Castillo Invitational

On March 21, the Arizona State University track and field teams hosted the Baldy Castillo Invitational in Tempe, AZ. In College Station, Texas on the previous weekend, both teams placed fifth at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. The meet is named in honor of former Sun Devil track and field coach Senon “Baldy” Castillo, who passed away on January 31 at the age of 90.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2009 Baldy Castillo Invitational ***

Former Stanford All-American Lindsay Allen, now representing McMillan Elite, and current Sun Devil All-American Ali Kielty lead Heat 2 of the women's 1500 meter run

An all-star team featuring Allan Ayala from Guatemala won the men's 4x400 meter relay

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2009 Ragnar Relay Del Sol

From 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM on February 27, waves of teams departed from Watson Lake Park in Prescott, AZ, as participants in the 2009 Ragnar Relay Del Sol. This year’s route meandered 202 miles from Prescott through Wickenburg, Carefree, and Fountain Hills, before finishing in Mesa Riverview Park.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2009 Ragnar Relay Del Sol ***

Emma running on a long and winding road

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2008 Quest Club Holiday Party

As 2008 drew to an end, Quest Club celebrated the holidays with a club trivia challenge and the traditional white elephant gift exchange…

*** Click here for the 2008 Quest Club Holiday Party photo gallery ***

Coach Moore and Laura...

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2008 Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional Championships

On Saturday, November 22, the highest ranked high school cross country teams from Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada gathered in Tempe, Arizona for the 2008 NXN Southwest Regional Championships. The top two teams, and top five individuals from non-qualifying teams, in the Girls and Boys Championship races, earned the right to compete in the Nike Cross Nationals Championship meet in Portland, Oregon on December 6. In addition, four at large teams nationally will be selected to compete, based on a point scoring system.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2008 NXN Southwest Regional Championships ***

In contrast to last year’s runaway record-breaking performances, the individual winners of both championship races this year were decided in the final meters. Dart Schwaderer from Wheat Ridge edged out Jon Nelson from Timpview, 15:14.98 to 15:15.73 in the Boys Championship race. In the final meters of the Girls Championship race, Laura Tremblay from the Eagles XC Club surged past local favorite Jessica Tonn from the Xavier TC by three one hundredths of a second, 17:40.20 to 17:40.23.

Click here for 2008 NXN Southwest Regional Championships results

Dart Schwaderer

Laura Tremblay (left) emerged from the pack in the last mile to claim the Girls Championship individual title

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Flip-Shine

I recently had an opportunity to experiment with taking product photos for a friend’s Web site. We set up a makeshift tabletop studio, using household lights and ordinary materials. Taking pictures in a studio environment was an entertaining and educational change of pace. What a novel concept, capturing images of stationary subjects!

*** Click here to view Flip-Shine product photos ***

Product Photo

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2008 AIA (Arizona) State Cross Country Tournament

On November 8, hundreds of Arizona high school harriers descended upon the Cave Creek Golf Course for a full day of sun, hills, and competition at the 2008 AIA State Cross Country Tournament.

*** Click here to view photos from the 2008 AIA State Cross Country Tournament ***

Click here for 2008 AIA State Cross Country Tournament results (on Arizonatrack.com)

In the Boys 4A Division II race, Brian Shrader, a junior from Sinagua High School, surged past early leader Tim Freriks to claim the first individual title of the day. Rio Rico captured the team title.

Brian Shrader, a junior from Sinagua, won the first race of the day

Christina Price from Sabino High School claimed the Girls 4A Division I title, while Sandra Day O’Connor captured the team title.

Christina Price

Ryan Yazzie and Billy Orman, Tuba City’s dynamic duo, swept the top two individual places on the podium and led Tuba City to the Boys 3A team title.

Billy Orman and Ryan Yazzie

Aeoleone Bristow, a sophomore from Rio Rico, captured the Girls 4A Division II individual title. Flagstaff High School claimed the team title.

Aeoleone Bristow

Alex Evans from Sabino was the Boys 4A Division I individual champion. Catalina Foothills won the team title.

Alex Evans

Rolonda Jumbo, a freshman from Chinle, dominated the Girls 3A race, with the second fastest finishing time of the day, and led Chinle to the team title.

Rolonda Jumbo

Jorge Martinez from Alhambra held off Carlos Martinez from Dobson and Andrew Kellogg from Desert Vista to claim the Boys 5A Division I individual title. However, Jorge’s individual win wasn’t enough to prevent Desert Vista from winning the team title by two points over Alhambra.

Jorge Martinez

Lacey Kalinen from Pinnacle High School, won the Girls 5A Division II individual title. Ironwood Ridge won the team competiton.

Lacey Kalinen

Cody Rosengarten from Tombstone High School was first across the line in the Boys 1A/2A race. Hopi dominated the team competiton, with 28 points.

Cody Rosengarten

Jessica Tonn won by over a minute in the Girls 5A Division I race, with the fastest time of the day, and the only sub-18 minute 5K among the female competitors. The 1-2 finish of Tonn and teammate Sarah Penney led Xavier to the team title.

Jessica Tonn

In the final Boys race of the day, Alberto Tellez from Camelback won the 5A Division II individual title. Sunnyside won the team title.

Alberto Tellez

The full day of competition concluded with the Girls 1A/2A race. Andrea Klimowski from Northland Preparatory won the individual title. Hopi placed their five scoring runners in the top-10 to claim the team title.

Andrea Klimowski

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Boston – Salem – Lexington & Concord

A recent visit to Boston gave me an opportunity to experience emerging fall colors and nearby historical and literary landmarks. I was pleasantly surprised that so many places of interest and great photo opportunities could be found in a relatively compact geographical area.

Salem, Massachusetts

Minute Man National Historical Park, Concord

Walden Pond

*** Click here to view photos from Boston / Salem / Lexington and Concord ***

View of fall colors from the Old North Bridge

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Spokane, Washington and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Although I was in Spokane, Washington to compete in the 2008 USA Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships, my racing and travel schedule had enough down time for a little sightseeing. It was my first time to the area. Before this trip, I didn’t realize that Coeur d’Alene, Idaho was so close. Both cities provided many wonderful photo opportunities…

*** Click here to view photos from Spokane, Washington ***

*** Click here to view photos from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho ***

Sunset over Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

Downtown Coeur d'Alene

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Florence, Oregon

Heceta Head Lightstation near Florence, Oregon is a popular destination for tourists and photographers. During my time in Eugene, a day trip to Florence on the first rest day of the Olympic Trials gave me an opportunity to capture a few colorful images away from Hayward Field…

*** Click here to view photos from Florence, Oregon and Heceta Head Lightstation ***

Heceta Head Lightstation

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 8

Jenn Stuczynski captivated the audience, when she set a new American Record for the women’s pole vault, on the final day of competition in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field.

On the track, Lolo Jones benefited from a strong tailwind, to run the 2nd fastest 100 meter hurdles race recorded under any conditions. In the ‘metric mile,’ Shannon Rowbury won in dominant fashion, while 5,000 meter champion Bernard Lagat repeated his 1,500 – 5,000 meter sweep from last year’s World Championships.

*** Click here to view Day 8 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Fans react to Jenn Stuczynski's new American Record

Shannon Rowbury celebrates her win in the 1,500 meter run

Lolo Jones ran the fastest 100 meter hurdles race ever recorded by an American

Bernard Lagat repeated his 1,500 - 5,000 meter wins from last year's World Championships

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 7

The final weekend of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field began under overcast skies, with the opening round of the 100 meter hurdles competition.

Much of the day’s action occurred in the field events, with the women’s shot put and hammer throw taking center stage. Two time NCAA champion Jessica Pressley from Arizona State University placed seventh in the shot put, while teammate Sarah Stevens placed 11th. In the final running event of the afternoon, Anthony Famiglietti set out at meet record pace in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, to make his second U.S. Olympic team.

*** Click here to view Day 7 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Fam led the 3,000 meter steeplechase from the gun

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 6

Distance events and the women’s high jump comprised the finals on Day 6 of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field.

Former University of Arizona Wildcat Abdi Abdirahman pushed the pace for nearly the entire 25 laps of the men’s 10,000 meter run. Kara Goucher, already an Olympian at 10,000 meters, claimed her first USA title, with a brilliant stretch run on the final lap of the 5,000 meter run. In the women’s 1,500 meter semifinal, high school junior Jordan Hassay established a new high school record, and earned a spot in Sunday afternoon’s final.

*** Click here to view Day 6 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Kara Goucher won her first USA title with a brilliant stretch run in the 5,000 meters

Abdi celebrates his win in the 10,000 meter run

Jordan Hassay thrilled the crowd with her high school record in the 1,500 meter run

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 5

Athletes and fans returned from two rest days, as competition resumed on Day 5 of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field.

In the last event of the evening, Anna Willard set a new American Record in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Sanya Richards and LaShawn Merritt claimed the 400 meter dash titles.

*** Click here to view Day 5 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Anna Willard, en route to a new American Record

Sanya Richards returned to form in the 400 meters

LaShawn Merritt defeated Jeremy Wariner in the 400 meters

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 4

Day 4 of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field was highlighted by thrilling distance running events.

Eugene-based athletes swept the men’s 800 meter run, which electrified the home town crowd.

2005 world champion Bryan Clay established a new Olympic Trials decathlon record, with 8,832 points. Both Trey Hardee (2nd, 8,534 points) and Tom Pappas (3rd, 8,511 points) scored higher than 8,500 points, to round out a strong U.S. contingent in the event.

*** Click here to view Day 4 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Andrew Wheating and the Oregon sweep of the Men's 800 meters electrified the crowd

Bernard Lagat makes his first Olympic team as an American citizen

Hazel Clark makes her 3rd U.S. Olympic team

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 3

Hot weather and hot 100 meter dash times continued on Day 3 of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field.

In the 100 meter dash final, Tyson Gay ran the fastest 100 meter dash ever recorded. The mark will not count as a world record, because of a higher than allowable tailwind.

Former ASU Sun Devil Trevell Quinley won the long jump on his final attempt, to become the second Sun Devil of the meet to earn a trip to Beijing.

*** Click here to view Day 3 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Tyson Gay, en route to the fastest 100 meter dash ever recorded

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 2

Day 2 of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field was sultry, both on the track and off. The announced temperature in Eugene was above 90 degrees, which was perfect for fast times in the women’s and men’s 100 meter dashes.

Tyson Gay rebounded from a disappointing first round race to establish a new American Record for the 100 meter dash.

Former ASU Sun Devil Jacquelyn Johnson placed second in the heptathlon, to join Hyleas Fountain and Diana Pickler in Beijing.

*** Click here to view Day 2 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

4-time NCAA Heptathlon champion Jacquelyn Johnson is going to Beijing

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2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field, Day 1

The first three Olympians of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field were determined during the women’s 10,000 meter run, which was the final event of Day 1 competition.

American Record holder Shalane Flanagan outkicked 2007 World Championships bronze medalist Kara Goucher for the win, while Amy Yoder Begley ran a spirited race for both third place and against the clock to punch her ticket to Beijing.

*** Click here to view Day 1 photos from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track and Field ***

Kara Goucher (2nd, 31:37.72) and Shalane Flanagan (1st 31:34.81), on their way to Beijing

Amy Yoder Begley had to race her competitors and the clock, in order to make the Olympic team

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2008 PAC-10 Track and Field Championships, Day 2

The Arizona State University women and University of Oregon men successfully defended their PAC-10 track and field titles on Saturday night in Tempe, AZ.

The Sun Devil men’s team came within 1.5 points of the team title, after placing first and second in the 200 meter dash, and first in the triple jump. ASU senior Kyle Alcorn added the 5,000 meter title to his 3,000 steeplechase victory from the night before. The Sun Devil 4×400 meter relay team ended the night with a thrilling victory over Oregon. However, the late surge wasn’t enough to overcome Oregon’s depth in the 5,000 meter run, where the Ducks placed five among the top eight finishers.

The Sun Devil women’s team won their third straight team championship, with solid performances in the field, sprints, and distance events.

*** Click here to view Day 2 photos from the PAC-10 Track and Field Championships ***

Kyle Alcorn (14:12.76) added the 5,000 meter title to his steeplechase crown

Jeavon Benjamin takes the baton from Shauntel Elcock in the 4x400 meter relay

In the final event of the night, Justin Kremer anchored a thrilling victory for the ASU 4x400 meter relay team

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2008 PAC-10 Track & Field Championships, Day 1

The Arizona State University women and University of Oregon men lead the PAC-10 Track and Field Championships presented by 76 Gasoline after Day 1 of competition. The Sun Devils claimed four individual titles during the day.

*** Click here to view Day 1 photos from the PAC-10 Track and Field Championships ***

Sara Trane (10:17.80) won her second straight Pac-10 steeplechase title

Kyle Alcorn maintained ASU's Pac-10 steeplechase winning streak at 5 years in a row

After a slow start, Alexandra Gits motored away from the field to claim the women's 10,000 meter run title

In the final race of the night, Carlos Trujillo captured the men's 10,000 meter run title

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