Club Records Fall at NJ International Invite
Brito, Harris, Lucas Shine at Final Meet of Year
Holmdel- Recent St. Peter's graduate Aaron Lucas is fitting into his new team well. Real well, actually.
In just his second meet wearing Gold and Black, not only did he smash two club records, he finished in the top four at the prestigious NJ International Invitational on Sunday. Running back and forth between the long and high jump, first Lucas uncorked a 23'4" long jump in the trials. Ten minutes later, he soared over 6'8" (see attached). Three jumps later, we was well over 6'10", but clipped the bar with his heel--a clear sign of fatigue after six jumps in twenty minutes. His 6'8" finished second overall, earning him a top-three watch; his long jump finished 4th.
Two of GSTC's most loyal sprinters finished the season with all-time PRs and new club records. Tony Harris, using perfect tactics and energy distribution, won heat two of the Elite 800m in 1:52.69. After sitting on two Central Park TC athletes with an 54.5 opening circuit, he uncorked a furious kick in the final 150m, holding off NYAC/NJ-NY TC's Deon Bascom for the biggest win--and fastest time--of his career.
Mike Brito also saved the best for last, running an all-time PR of 52.97 in the 400IH. A decorated long hurdler in high school (bronze medal, Meet of Champs) and college (Kean), Brito 15-stepped the entire race to take 9th in a stacked elite field. Despite not competing for seven years, this all-time PR highlighted a banner season for him, whereas he ran on the record-breaking GSTC relays at Madison Square Garden, Penn Relays, and the adidas Diamond League Grand Prix. He also broke 49 twice this year- a feat never accomplished in his collegiate glory days.
"These are well-earned breakthroughs for Mike and Tony," GSTC sprint coach Chuck Schneekloth said. "These guys make profound sacrifices three times a week to attend our sprint practices, and they've stayed loyal to the plan. They define the vision of our club: if you're willing to commit, this club will make you faster. I'm proud of everyone who finished the long season, and I'm particularly proud of these two."
Numerous other athletes had notable performances. For the first time in club history, the women won back-to-back races, as Camiesha Pierson, making her GSTC debut, won the first 400m heat, and Haleigh Simon won the second 400m heat, nipping teammate Quanisha Booker in the final 10m. Marquis Cole (49.88) and Ricky Garcia (50.06) went 1-2 in the third elite 400m heat, and Chris Heibell stormed back on strong 1500m elite field to finish at 3:51.01, outkicking CPTC indoor national qualifier Carlos Jamieson. Half miler Tahlief Jackson ran a season best in the 800m elite race (1:54.76), with Mark Parisen shaving off .74 from his old 400IH personal best, as he ran 54.52 to finish 10th in the elite race, with teammate Alan Broussard (54.73) just a step behind.
All races can be found on the GSTC YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/user/GardenStateTC
Lothian, Goglas Lead Roads Action This Week
The GSTC had several big performances on the roads this weekend. These were highlighted by two 5ks wins, as James Lothian won the Roxbury Community Benefit 5k with a course record (17:20), while Ken Goglas won the hilly Randolph Rocks 5k in 15:31. More on Lothian as the AOW, and as for Goglas- the man is on fire this spring, ripping off big races on the track, at the road mile, and now the roads.
Both Nicole Callaghan-Gronbeck and Amalie Park ran the Westwood Dad's Dash. Nicole ran 24:14, yet another season-best time, and grabbed a bronze in her age group, while Amalie ran 25:00, a PR by 1:39, finishing 2nd in her age group and the 2nd Westwood finisher!!
Finally, Karen Auteri and Nicole Corre had solid 5k races this weekend. Karen ran 20:11at the George Sheehan 5k, finishing 3rd in her age group and winning the father-daughter team category--very cool for Father's Day! While not a PR, Nicole continues to improve this late spring, running a solid 20:03 to win her age group at the Rhulen 5k in Rock Hill, NY. This all bodes well for the GSTC ladies for the fall, as they cling to a delicate two-point lead in the Open Women's USATF Grand Prix Championship Series with just a few races remaining.
Summer GSTC Team Runs
Tuesday- 6:15pm, Buccleuch Park i New Brunswick at gazebo (near bathrooms)
Wednesday- 6:15, Morristown Running Company
Thursday- 6:15, Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick at gazebo (near bathrooms)
Sunday- 9am, River Road (email for directions)
Athlete of the Week: James Lothian
James has been a GSTC member for about a month, but he's running like he's been a lifelong member...winning the Roxbury 5k in course record time on Monday. Welcome aboard, James!
That said, he is quite different from most members. A 2008 Rutgers graduate, he never ran in high school or in college. In fact, he played ice hockey and tennis in high school, but while looking for a job after finishing Rutgers...he picked up running. In the summer of 2011 he started running with the Morristown Running Company, and things started really improving. Now, he's winning races and setting course records. Awesome.
Averaging sixty miles a week, his weekly formula includes a track workout, tempo run, and long run. In just his second marathon in November (Philly), he dipped under 3:00 (2:59:21)--qualifying him for Boston next spring. He plans to race NYC in the fall!
A resident of Morristown, he finished his civil engineering degree before getting a masters in business; now he works as an actuary for an insurance company. A lover of country music, Cinnamon Toast Crunch is his preferred breakfast! James will be rocking gold tomorrow at the President's Cup, with hopes to lower his 17:20 PR.
Props to GSTC HS Coaches
It ain't easy coaching high school track, and it most certainly isn't easy coaching AND training at the same time. You try working with kids from 7:30am-6:00pm, and then trying to go for a run afterward. So, we congratulate our members who all finished their high school seasons this past week: Danielle Stanton, Chris Tafelski, Rob DeCarlo, Adam Nalven, Brian Kopnicki, Karen Scarfuto, Steve Geiger, Steve Bonica, Andrew Capizzi, Alyssa Douma, Meghan DeCarlo, and Chris Heibell.
We would also like to give special props to Meghan DeCarlo, who coached a NATIONAL CHAMPION in the javelin this weekend at the Outdoor HS National Championships in North Carolina. Very, very cool....what size uniform does she wear again???
Quotes of the Week
"I'm excited to get some real coaching (with the GSTC). The goal is 25 feet in the long jump next year. Actually, the REAL goal is eight meters, but I have no idea how many feet that is." -Aaron Lucas
"I can't believe I just PR'ed. Thirty year olds just aren't supposed to PR. This is the highlight of my career." -Mike Brito, 30, after running a lifetime PR of 52.97 in the 400IH
"I owe it all to you. Thanks for everything. Couldn't ask for a better coach." -Tony Harris, to coach Chuck Schneekloth, on a FB post
"Sub 1:50 next year." -Steve Bonica to Tony Harris on that same FB thread
"Yo so i was thinking and i got to thinkin i got an idea...maybe it sounds good to me cuz it's like 2am but maybe not..anyway..." -Chris Heibell in an email LATE last night
"I see you guys finally got Ryan Grote out with a uniform. I've been waiting a long time for that." -Masters phenom Brian Crowley after his race this weekend
"Because you never know, when you go to the mall or movies, if a 4x4 might suddenly break out." -Chuck Schneekloth explaining the reason for the box of 120 plastic batons in the team van. Ricardo Garcia later explained the Road Relays to her.
"Hey Tyrone, thanks again for the spikes...My work ethic and dedication may not be at your level, but overtime I'll learn that positivity and hard work are what I need to succeed. I hope I'll have your support." -hurdler Alan Broussard to Tyrone Ross via FB post
"At 30, I look around and smell the flowers more so now than I did in my early 20s. I appreciate everything and don't take anything for granted. I appreciate the long drives...long season...great teammates...dedicated coach... and of course my supportive girlfriend. Thank you!!! Great season GSTC!!!" -Mike Brito, FB post
"After almost a year of hard work, capped off the season with a .74 sec hurdle pr last night. So now after joining the GSTC I have new PRS in all my events after a 2.5 year break." -Mark Parisen, FB post
This Week in Training
Distance
After the President's Cup, it's time for a break. Take 3 weeks of downtime to recharge the batteries. In those 3 weeks you should stay active, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to run - walk, hike, ride a bike, swim, play other sports. Each week, get out for 2-3 easy runs of 2-3 miles. The purpose of these runs is to keep your muscles, tendons etc in good working order and prevent atrophy of inactivity during your break time. That way, when the time comes to get it going again, you are met with much less muscle soreness and you can resume normal training and build mileage faster. Enjoy the downtime, forget about training for awhile so you can come back to training in mid-July hungry and fresh!
Sprints
Take this week completely off. Nothing. Do whatever you want. Pretend running doesn't exist, because soon enough we'll be grinding the axe again.....enjoy a well-deserved break.
Garden State Track Club
Brooks Running: Run Happy
USATF & RRCA Members
2012 US Open SMR Champions
2011 RRCA Website of the Year
2011 USATF-NJ Open Team &
2011 Penn Relays 5k Classic Team Champions
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