2022 North Coast Section Track and Field - Top Boys To Watch
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North Coast Section track and field athletes missed out on competing at a section final in 2021. Since the section covers such a large geographical area, the section office didn't feel comfortable having a meet that would include so many athletes from so many different counties. Some athletes in the section competed at the unofficial NorCal Championship meet in mid-June at Clayton Valley HS. Below, you can check out our selection of the top returning boys in the section.
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Caden Carney (Tamalpais/12) 800/1600
PRs: 800m 1:56.54, 1600m 4:16.80, 3200m 9:30.01
Last spring, Caden Carney (DeAnna Turner photo above) posted some of the top marks in the section in all three different distance races. He was even more impressive in the fall as he completed the triple-double with victories at his league meet, section, and most impressively a state title.
Nicolas Guevara-Longree (Castro Valley/12) Long Jump/Triple Jump
PRs: Long Jump 21-2, Triple Jump 42-4.25
Nicolas Guevara-Longree was one of the best long and triple jumpers in the section last spring. What made him most notable is that he also participated in several other events including the shot put, discus, high jump and 1600m. He will be a state contender in the horizontal jumps but will contribute to his own team in many different events.
Alex Mader (Lick-Wilmerding/12) 1600/3200
PRs: 1600m 4:21.75, 3200m 8:57.34
Alex Mader made a major statement last spring as he recorded a sub 9 minute 3200m at the Arcadia Invitational. This past fall, Mader continued his fine running that included a league and section title and a 2nd place finish in the Division V state meet race. He also led his teammates to the state team title.
Matteo Mitchell (Clayton Valley/12) Shot Put/Discus
PRs: Shot Put 50-1.5, Discus 154-4
The best-returning combo thrower in the section is Clayton Valley senior, Matteo Mitchell. Last spring, Mitchell had the 6th best mark in the section in the shot put and was the lone junior to surpass 50 feet. In the discus, Mitchell had the 5th best mark and is the 2nd best returner in this event behind Antioch senior, Charles Lindsey.
Sean Morello (Albany/11) 1600/3200
PRs: 1600m 4:16.47, 3200m 9:08.80
Albany sophomore Sean Morello placed himself among the elite distance runners in the section last spring with two impressive marks at the 3rd Dublin Distance Fiesta. This fall, Morello led his teammates to the school's first state title in cross country and will now be one of the top contenders in the distance events this spring.
Jjacob Pruitt (Rancho Cotate/10) 100/200
PRs: 100m 11.11, 200m 22.27
When you look at the top male sprinters last spring, one of the most impressive was Rancho Cotate freshman Jjacob Pruitt. He had one of the top marks in the 100m and will be one of the top returners in the event. In the 200m, Pruitt recorded the 3rd best mark in the section and will be the fastest returner this spring.
PRs: 110m Hurdles 14.66, 300m Hurdles 39.43
While other events have multiple contenders and no clear best, the best returning hurdler in both the 110m and 300m Hurdles is De La Salle senior Anthony Trucks. He recorded the 2nd best mark in the high hurdles and the 4th best mark in the 300m hurdles and will be the favorite to qualify to the state meet in both events.
PRs: Pole Vault 14-0
Three pole vaulters cleared 14 feet last spring with the lone returner being Northgate senior, Joseph Tugwell. He cleared 13-6 twice before recording his personal record of 14-0 at the Warren Eaton Relays at Acalanes High School.
Albert Caruana is a Bay Area-based coach and a regular contributor to MileSplitCA