The North Coast Section used to have four automatic entries that qualified to the California state meet. A few years ago, the section lost one auto qualifier (picked up by the Southern Section) which made their section final a bit more competitive for those athletes wishing to compete at the state finals.
The section continues to do quite well posting some of the best marks in the state that belonged to several state champions. At the North Coast Section Meet of Champions, Pittsburg prevailed as the boys' team champion while St. Mary's Berkeley brought home another team title for the girls.
Individuals of note included:
Senior Alyssa Brewer (California) finished up her season with the fastest time in the section in the 800m at 2:08.99. Unfortunately, a late-season foot injury derailed her hopes of winning a third state title but that won't take away from another outstanding season for her.
Senior Gillian Wagner (Redwood) recorded her best season to date with the fastest times in the 1600 and 3200 in the section. She rolled to a 4:46.22 victory at the NCS Redwood Empire meet. Earlier in the season, Wagner finished in third place at the Arcadia Invitational with a lifetime best 10:14.11 in the 3200.
Senior Kirsten Carter (Santa Rosa) finished in 3rd place at the California state track and field meet in the 400 with a best of 54.07. During her high school career, Carter podiumed at the state meet in all three sprint events (100, 200 and 400). This season she also recorded the best time in the 300m hurdles at 42.68.
Senior Hannah Hall (James Logan) was a double section winner in the shot put and discus with season best marks of 45-5.25 and 165-4. She recorded two podium finishes at the state meet with a 4th in the shot put and a 2nd in the discus.
Senior Aiden Jackman (Clayton Valley) was the breakout star during the early season with some scintillating anchor legs as well as recording the top teams in the hurdles in the state. Jackman ran 13.98 at the Arcadia Invitational but tweaked his hamstring during the race. He came back to run another state leader in the 300m hurdles with a time of 37.47.
Junior Cameron Reynolds (Clayton Valley) helped Clayton Valley finish in 3rd place at the CA state track and field meet with podium finishes in the 400 and 200. He also anchored the 1600m relay team to a 2nd place finish with a sub 46 leg. His best times in his best two individual events were 21.46 and 47.09.
Senior Max Glasser (Marin Catholic) improved his 400m time throughout the season. He was victorious at the Stanford Invitational with a then best of 47.31. He also won the NCS MOC meet with a time of 47.41. He saved his best race of the season for the state meet with a victorious effort at 46.97.
Junior Liam Anderson (Redwood) continued to be the best distance runner in the section. He scored double victories in the 1600 and 3200 at the NCS MOC. At the state meet, Anderson won the 1600 in a lifetime best 4:09.31. In the 3200, Anderson finished in 5th place and recorded his best time of 8:52.74 at the Arcadia Invitational.