By John Medalen

Staff Writer

The Santa Teresa High School Varsity boys & girls track & field teams are attempting to establish a record never achieved in 30 years at the school.

To make STHS history, the track & field teams have to make it to CCS Finals. By matching the same feat as this year’s boys & girls cross-country teams, they will be the first two programs to send both the boys and girls teams to the CCS Finals in the same year.

After the cross-country teams became the only STHS teams to make it to CCS Finals this year, Coach Mike Dudley challenged his track athletes to do the same. " I told them this is a chance to make history," he said. "This would be a great way to leave your mark on the school forever."

The boys are led by distance running star Neil Steiner; hurdlers Tom Wong and Chris Schneider; sprinters John Raquinio, James Guyot, and Jon Cardenas; and freshman "phenom" jumper Justin Cho.

The girls are led by sprinter Brittany King; distance runners Marrield Berry, Clare Sayle, and Tiffani Compton; hurdler Ashley Decena; jumpers Shaniquea Aldrich-Meeks, Michaela Baker, and Linda Nghiem; and twin throwers Martaleah and Tamaraleah Jackson.

Many of the runners were members of this year’s cross-country teams, so they are used to their coach setting tough but achievable goals. Dudley can’t say enough about the athletes.

"My kids work hard, and I’m tough on them at times", he said. "They are taught life lessons, and their successes on the track are simply an extension of our philosophy. Keep your grades high or your gone, focus on your goals, have fun, and great things will happen."

Dudley’s teams are proof that great things can happen. Along with the athletic successes over the past three years he has coached at STHS, all of his graduating seniors have gone on to college. " Our cross-country and track & field programs must be doing something right", he said. "The kids have fun, learn along the way, and then continue on to college. I know we’re not the only reason they go, but I guarantee you we are a part of it." Dudley has made it very clear that athletic talents are always secondary to education.

"Without a strong mind, it doesn’t matter how strong your body is because you’re not going to get to play. At the high school level, to participate in high school sports, the requirement states that you must carry a 2.0 GPA or ‘C’ average and have no more than one failing grade. This isn’t exactly rocket science here. I have simply set the bar higher than the norm", he explained.

"I have made it very clear that the classroom is first, and then your sport will be here when you have finished. Most of my athletes are well over a ‘B’ average. I had 15 scholar athletes (3.5 GPA average) during cross-country season and I expect the same during track season".

The girl’s team finished it’s season undefeated at 14-0, thus becoming Santa Teresa Athletic League (STAL) Champions. The team will compete in 16 events in the BVAL Finals on May 13^th at Mount Pleasant High School, which determines which athletes will go on to compete in the CCS Semi-Finals on May 22^nd at San Jose City College.

The boy’s team finished second in the STAL , and will compete in 13 events in the BVAL Finals.