On the fast track at Rancho Cotate

ROHNERT PARK -- Chris McCloskey collects broken hurdles. The Santa Rosa High hurdler, who has a shot to become the fourth Panther to qualify for the state meet in the 300-meter hurdles, doesn't mind smashing a hurdle or two, just as long as it doesn't slow him down.

Actually, McCloskey and Santa Rosa track coach Doug Courtemarche, say the beat up hurdles -- McCloskey has a couple in his garage -- are a reminder that being aggressive is a necessary trait in the world of top-flight hurdlers. And, thus far this season, McCloskey's mishaps haven't cost him valuable time. He has a personal best of 39.59 in the grueling 300.

But, as Courtemarche said: "With a clean race, he could get into the high 38's."

And that may be what is needed for McCloskey to medal at the North Coast Section Meet of Champions at Berkeley in two weeks. The top four finishers at the MOC go on to the state meet. First up, however, is the Redwood Empire NCS, May 17 at Rancho Cotate, where McCloskey will be one of the favorites in the 300 and 110-hurdles.

On Friday night in the North Bay League finals at the new 3,000-seat Cougar Stadium on the campus of Rancho Cotate High, McCloskey devastated the field in the 300 hurdles in 40.30, and tied Cardinal Newman's Andrew Codagnone for first place in the 110, both clocked in 15.77. Codagnone finished second in the 300 (41.99).

"The 300 is definitely my best race," McCloskey said. "The 110 is more difficult. Today I hit a couple of hurdles that slowed me down. In the 300, I try to save a little bit for the end. It requires more endurance, and that's to my advantage. The 300 hurdles are also a little lower . . . three inches, but that makes a big difference, I'm not very tall."

If McCloskey does make state, he would be the fourth from Santa Rosa High in the 300 hurdles. John Gash owns the Santa Rosa record (39.14) and went to state in 1984. Jason Silverek (1989) and Marshall Olin (2005) are the others.

"A hurdler has to have a certain attitude, be aggressive and fearless," Courtemarche said. "And not be reluctant about breaking a hurdle, it's sort of a badge of courage. Chris attacks right from the beginning. Running the 400-meter has helped him out, it's made him stronger."

McCloskey, a junior, qualified for the MOC in the 110 and 300 hurdles as a freshman and a sophomore. He seems to be on the verge on a break-out run.

"I haven't done that well at MOC," he said. "Hopefully this will be my year, I've worked really hard. I broke 40.0 last week at the All-City. That was my cleanest race, no stutter steps."

Santa Rosa, the defending NBL champs, edged Cardinal Newman for the boys' title, 139-128.5. Ukiah finished a strong third with 81 points. Montgomery amassed 146 points to defeat Maria Carrillo (136) for the girls' title. The Pumas were the four-time defending champs.

In the girls' 1,600, Maria Carrillo's Lauren Curtin ran a personal-best 5:04.85 to defeat her nearest rival, Celeste Berg, by 80 meters. Berg (Montgomery) finished in 5:16.97. Cara Curtin, Lauren's twin, was third in 5:17.98 and won the 400 in 59.37, defeating teammates Heidi Hirvonen and Jameca Dedrick, both freshmen.

Curtin added a second gold medal, taking the 800 in 2:20.77. Berg was again second (2:23.70) and Suzi Rozga of Santa Rosa third in 2:25.10. Joe Withers (Newman) finished with a strong kick in the boys' 800 to defeat Chris McCabe (Carrillo) in 1:59.61. Newman's Pat Conroy was third.

"I knew I had to go faster, there was a lot of good competition," Curtin said. "I looked at the clock at 800 meters, it was 2:31; that made me want to push a little harder."

As expected, Corinne Rich, captured the girls' shot put and discus. The Montgomery senior is expected to return to the state meet and vie for a medal. She will be among the favorites to win gold at the MOC.

Austin Davis, Cardinal Newman's best chance for a MOC gold and perhaps a state medal, threw the discus 151-0 feet to outdistance Santa Rosa's Baker boys. Travis Baker was second with a throw of 135-11, and Troy was third with a toss of 135-9.

Ukiah's Lauren Wallace was the league sprint champion, winning the 100 (12.92) and 200 (26.40). Rory McLeod (Santa Rosa) was also a double-gold medalist with triumphs in the boy's 1,600 and 3,200. Carrillo's Jordan Davis ran 11:58.55 to win the girls 3,200. Phanat Amphai, Santa Rosa, was the NBL champ in the boy's long jump and the triple jump.