Leaving as little to chance as possible, TCLA entered three teams in this year's 5K race. TCLA I would have scored high in a cross country meet as all five of its members finished within a few places of each other. Particularly strong performances by Steve Lopez, who set a significant p.r., and John Boscardin, who stayed mentally tough while fighting a cold, helped the team create what must now be considered a dynasty. Yes, the fastest team award for 1998 rests safely in the TCLA coach's office. Oddly, the toughest part about winning this year was not in the racing, but in the results. The dampness in the air played havoc with the computer scoring the results, and it was only after the race organizers were threatened with severe bodily harm that they finally managed to post results.
TCLA II, led by overall women's winner, Jacinda Raiche, also finished strong, and earned the fastest women's team award. This was in part due to Sarita Bhargava, whose intimidation tactics rounding turns successfully scared away most challengers. Also, Deanna Lernihan bravely overcame her desire to run in solitude, and Stephanie Cahn and Elizabeth Farnan gamely stepped in with little notice, to round out the team. Jacinda, who walked away with a stay for two at a Four Seasons hotel in San Diego, will have plenty of options in picking a roommate for her little vacation, but she should keep in mind who helped make her the runner she is.
TCLA III, whose members were in constant flux until 30 seconds before the gun, had good showings, including a fine 18:06 by Jeff Sakamoto and a 21:05 by Laurence Lavelle, two novices to road racing, and a 21:03 by alternate Wenise Wong.
| TCLA I | TCLA II | TCLA III |
|---|---|---|
| John Boscardin--18:48 | Jacinda Raiche--19:21 | Wayne Poon--24:10 |
| Frank Siering--19:05 | Sarita Bhargava--21:55 | Lawrence Kong--21:48 |
| Steve Lopez--18:08 | Deanna Lernihan--22:30 | Laurence Lavelle--21:05 |
| Jerry Enriquez--18:34 | Stephanie Cahn--21:56 | Adam Frankel--19:43 |
| Eric Barron--17:36 | Elizabeth Farnan--20:30 | Jeff Sakamoto--18:06 |
The 10K, in the words of Tim Petersen, the lone TCLA'er in the race, "was not an easy course as it is very difficult to run a 10k without any indication as to how far you have run. There were absolutely no mile splits, but at least 10 water stations (no joke), which is a little obsessive for a 10K. This was due to the fact that the course doubled back on itself numerous times. All and all it was not a well-organized race; however, they did not have any problem getting sponsors, with what seemed like one sponsor for every registered runner." Tim, himself sponsored by Phil's Poultry Market ("We pluck 'em so you don't have to"), finished in 42:27.
1998 Santa Barbara Half Marathon/Santa Clarita Marathon
In other racing around Southern California this past weekend, Terence Young finished the Santa Barbara Half Marathon with a 1:31. Lydia Salinas was hanging right with Terence partway through the race, but then he lost track of her, and she has not been seen or heard from since.
A few cities away, Anne Barrett took first overall female with a fine 3:20 at the Santa Clarita Marathon. Mike Whitemiller sacrificed his own chances for first overall male by helping Silvia Ariniello with her thesis by carrying a camera and taking pictures as he raced. (Silvia tells me she did not really need the pictures, but wanted to see Mike look goofy as he pointed the camera at the crowd.)
Finally, mention should be made of Mike Collins' victory at the Catalina
Sprint Triathlon. This is all well and good, but until he puts it on the line for
TCLA, he's just another swimmer who can bike and run.