This has been an eventful season filled with the most challenging weather we have faced since Brock Drazen began coaching. Here is an update from Coach Drazen:

This past week, the team traveled to Sacramento City College for the Big 8 Conference Championships with some nice successes.  Most notably, Wisly Pierre won the conference championship in the 100hh (see video below), Shamar Cook took home the gold in the high jump (see video below), Michaela Trapps took bronze in the 100m and 200m (video of 200m prelim win below) and Bianca Townsend won bronze in the Discus.  Next up is the Northern California Championship on this coming Friday and Saturday at American River College.

 

 

 

 

Only the top 24 in Northern California in each event qualified for this coming Friday and that will be cut to 9 for Saturday. Finally, this coming Saturday, only the top 4 in track events and top 6 in field events will advance to the state championship on May 18, 2024, at Saddleback College.  Merritt will be represented this weekend by Adam Moore (triple Jump), Bianca Townsend (discus and hammer throw), Khaleyma McCall (400m and 400 hurdles), Michaela Trapps (100m and 200m), Naias Johnson (4x400m relay), Reed McCumbee (400 hurdles), Sebastian Guinther (200m and 4x 400m relay), Wisly Pierre (110HH), Yaa Owusu (400m), Josiah Crochet (800m and 4x400m relay) and Kobe Goh (4x400m Relay).  These 11 student-athletes will go out and give it their all while representing Merritt College in the NorCal Championship. I've been calling this a rebuilding year, but the team has exceeded expectations despite the challenges we faced along the way.

 

This is an exciting time of year as we continue in the postseason while our 9 sophomores prepare for graduation and line up their next steps. I'll pass that info along next week (I have to put myself on the spot here to make sure I keep reporting!).

 

Lastly, I have been out recruiting at high schools with more energy and determination than any in my 20-year career. Kudos to my coaching partner, Jordan Alford-Helems (Head Coach XC, Asst. Coach Track and Field) who has been with me every step of the way! Recruiting students has become an extremely competitive endeavor with the usual local suspects Chabot and DVC out in full force while East Bay, San Jose State, Cal, and SF State are all aggressively looking for students. This is not to mention students looking at desperate schools all over the country trying to sink our local kids with a heavy debt burden so that they can stay afloat (too cynical?). There is no comparison when it comes to the academic, financial, and athletic opportunities we offer, and I am determined to build that vision into our prospective student's minds. If you know someone who has student-athlete kids considering their college options, please have them reach out to me. Have a great week ahead. Brock