WEEKEND RESULTS (Pitman Distance Wars & Tom Moore Relays)

A small but mighty group of Knights competed over the weekend in two different meets: the Pitman Distance Wars and the Tom Moore Relays at Sierra HS.

First, the Pitman Distance Wars (Note the "Star Wars" theme) at Turlock, where four Downey distance runners took to the track under the lights on a perfect Spring evening. Jake Crenshaw got things rolling in the 1600m by winning his heat in a personal best time of 5:13.54. He won a T-shirt for his performance. His time would eventually place him as 28th out of 79 runners in the event.

Sierra Durham was the next Downey runner to compete. She took the lead in the 3200m race at the gun and never looked back. Her time of 12:35.31 was over one minute faster than the second place competitor. She won a T-shirt and a light saber. Since this was the first running of the meet, her time will act as the initial meet record.

Tyler Bingham was in the first section of the boys 3200m. He hung tough throughout the race, hanging on to a pack of about 5 runners competing for 2nd place. As they entered the home stretch, he and another runner would eventually catch the runner who had led from the gun. Tyler would battle to the tape for a hard earned 2nd place and a new personal record of 12:25.59. He also won a T-shirt for placing in the top two of his heat. His time would eventually be 39th out of 54 runners in the event.

Alfonso Urbano capped the night for the Downey contingent. He also ran the 3200m, but he was in a faster heat than Tyler. Alfonso went out too fast and paid for that mistake over the second half of the race. He did finish strong in a personal record time of 12:21.41. This time would be good for 37th out of the 54 athletes in the event.

Saturday was the Tom Moore Relays at Sierra HS in Manteca. A skeleton crew of Downey athletes was on hand.

The 4X100 team of Caleb Lowe, Juan VaaAyala, Jacob Hacket, and Shane Gorman had a strong showing in there heat. Shane got the baton trailing the leaders but pulled out a first place finish in the heat. Their time of 45.82 would place them as 9th overall in the final results.

Sierra Durham took to the track next for the VG 1600m. She would battle much of the race in 5-8th place. She passed two runners in the home stretch to finish a hard fought 6th place and earn a medal.

Andrew Osgood finished up the afternoon for the Downey athletes in the VB 1600m. He was in last off the line and gradually worked his way forward for a tough 4th place, 4:42.18 finish to earn a medal and a personal best time.

Although limited Downey athletes competed this weekend the results were encouraging (three t-shirts, two medals, and one light saber) and hopefully will be building blocks for a successful season.

PICTURES of the meets can be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54028&l=443fef3616&id=1807850130