HANNAH GORANSON, VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Sport: Track and field
Events: Hurdles, sprints
Class: Senior
Goranson had an outstanding performance at the West Catholic Athletic League Track and Field finals held at St. Francis last week. The senior won the 100 meter hurdles (13.93), the 200 meters (25.49) and ran a leg on the winning 1600 meter relay team (3:58.70 with a 57.1 split). The Duke-bound senior ran a wind legal time of 13.72 in the 100 hurdle finals, the best in the Central Coast Section this year, third best in the state and fourth best in the nation entering the week. "We've been waiting for a performance like this, we knew it was coming," Valley Christian coach Tammie Marshall said. "Hannah is so committed to the sport and she is very technically sound." Last year Goranson won the CCS 100 hurdles title and finished eighth in the state meet. This year's state meet could feature two runners ahead of her in the rankings along with Leland star Katie Nelms. "It should be a hot hurdles race at the state meet," Marshall said. "I think the experience from last year combined with the tough meets she has competed in this season should prepare Hannah well."
Doesn't appear that Gunn-Palo Alto's Kieran Gallagher is slowing down any time soon. The sophomore has to be considered the prohibitive favorite to win the girls 800 meters at Friday's Central Coast Section track and field championships at Gilroy High. Field events start at 4 p.m. Running events begin at 6 p.m. The top three placers advance to the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Buchanan High in Clovis on June 4-5.
Gallagher ran a personal-best 2:11.36 in the 800 at Saturday's CCS semifinal at Gilroy. Gallagher, whose time ranks her sixth in the state, is seeking to be the first girls 800 champ in Gunn history.
The boys 1,600 meters could be one of the most exciting races of the night with Mountain View's Ian Myjer, Palo Alto's Philip MacQuitty and Woodside's Chris Waschura trying to catch the favorite, Weston Strum of Pioneer-San Jose.
The boys team race is expected to find Valley Christian-San Jose and Bellarmine-San Jose as the main contenders. However, St. Francis-Mountain View, Mountain View and Palo Alto could make a run should things go their way.
"The boys team race looks even," St. Francis boys track and field coach Mike Saso said. "I'm being a realist. A lot of teams could win it."
The night's running events start with the girls 400 relay, where Menlo-Atherton, Los Altos, St. Francis and Palo Alto all hope to get a piece of the top three. St. Francis, Palo Alto and Serra-San Mateo have legitimate shots to win the boys 400 relay. Serra has the best time in the CCS this year at 42.30. However, talented sophomore Erich Wilson is battling a hamstring injury and may not be available. Definitely running are DonAndre Clark, Nate Harvey and Chad Baur. Juan Rodriguez, who qualified in the 110 hurdles, will run the fourth leg should Wilson not answer the bell. Todd Grimm of Los Altos also is in the 110 hurdles.
Mark Rutner of Mountain View and Woodside's Jason Chandler qualified in the 400 meters.
The boys 100-meter dash is laced with locals as Daniel Jones of Paly, Harvey, Glyn Borel of St. Francis and Matt Walter of Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton will be in the field.
Menlo-Atherton's Jason McGhee competes in the boys 800.
Gunn's Paul Summers leads the pack in the boys 3,200 meters.
Taking their shots in the boys 1,600 relay will be Mountain View, Woodside, St. Francis and SHP.
Mountain View's Tyler Halstead will have a go in the long jump.
Mountain View's Stephen Johnson will battle in the high jump, along with Bennie Williams and Tyler Nigro of Palo Alto and Scott Greathouse of Los Altos.
Maurice Williams of Palo Alto was one of the leading qualifiers in the boys triple jump.
Mountain View's Alex Koukoutsakis is a favorite in the shot put. Serra's Ben Parodi is just happy to be there. Parodi was competing in the West Catholic Athletic League shot put finals when a shot put rolled into his ankle, spraining it. Parodi went on to win the event.
The girls 1,600 meters should have some local interest with Mountain View's Alison Sturges, Rachel Skokowski of Castilleja-Palo Alto, Kat Gregory of Priory-Portola Valley and Madeline Roemer of St. Francis all competing. Emily Andrew of Mountain View and freshman Sarah Wobber of Los Altos are in the girls 400-meter run.
Pinewood-Los Altos Hills sprinter Angela Gradiska is back in time to defend her 100- and 200-meter championships.
Micha Auzenne of St. Francis has an outside shot to get to state in the 100.
Gunn's Erin Robinson should battle for the title in the girls 3,200 meters.
St. Francis is one of the favorites to win the girls 1,600-meter relay.
Four local girls pole vaulters could reach state — Monique Lam and Jorja Flynn of Carlmont-Belmont, Diamara Planell of Los Altos and Alison Ang of Gunn.
Paige Logan of Los Altos could make state in the shot put.
Kristina Bassi of St. Francis and Julia Maggioncalda of Gunn are among the high jump entrants.