2001 AZTRACK Alumni Annual Excursion
USATF National Track and Field Championships
University of Oregon (Hayward Field)
Eugene, OR (June 21 - 24, 2001)
This year's event featured a group camp out at Lake Dorena, Water skiing in Andy Sythe's ski boat, 4 great days of Track and Field Competition, and a few nights of fun on the town!
Most of the group arrived on Wednesday to get a jump on the water skiing, after a long trek up to Oregon from San Diego via motor home. Stops along the way included Long Beach (to pick up Andy Sythe) and Grants Pass, OR (to have lunch with Mark Sanders). Wellington (BEEF) came down from visiting family in Washington.
On Thursday, Mark (Gubba) Sanders showed up and Rich Kreitzer came in too (after a 5 day bike ride from Eureka, Ca!) the water skiing was a little rough and we got a late start to the meet, but the company was great. We watched Meb Keflezeghi (San Diego Track Club) take a 2nd place in the men's 10K (just a couple of weeks after setting the American record). We barbequed that night and had a good time.
On Friday, a few of the crew went out on the lake in the morning, as we packed up camp and got ready to head to Eugene. We moved in force to the hotel in Eugene around mid-day and enjoyed a great day of Track and Field competition, watching current Aztec Aja Frary take a 7th place in the women's Heptathlon, and Former Aztec standout Lisa Domico take 7th in the women's Long Jump! Friday night's activities included dinner and pitchers at Track Town Pizza, a stop at the Wild Duck Brewery, and some of the group went for a little two-steppin' and line dancing at the Rockin' Rodeo, where Andy did his annual charity work (all in attendance know exactly what I mean!)
Saturday came with another great day at the track watching Davida Shepard (SDSU) and Felicia Stone (Sheffield Elite) compete in the 100 meter hurdles, followed by dinner at the Black Angus where we were joined by San Diego Track Club members Deanna Hadley (Steeple Chase participant) and Tamara Lave (10 K participant). The evening was just as active after leaving the Black Angus for dinner, we went back to the Rockin' Rodeo, where we coaxed The 2 Jennifers (Kozan and Nanista) into entering the Miss Hawaiian Tropics Contest where they finished out of the money. (the contest was rigged, our girls kicked but!)
Sunday was our final day together, as we got a late start to the track. We saw former Aztec Marla Runyon earn a spot on the World Championship Team by winning the 5000 meters. Marla lead from wire to wire, defeating American Record Holder Regina Jacobs.
All in all the trip was great and everyone got along (at least almost the whole time) HAHAHAHA
Click Here to view pictures of this year's event!
AZTRACK Attendees:
Andy Sythe
Mark "Gubba" Sanders
Rich Fox
Wellington "BEEF" Pendell
Jennifer Nanista
Shawn Dee Hartless
Alan Hodgert
Rich Kreitzer
Jason Tweed
HONORARY AZTRACK Members:
Jennifer Koczan - 2000
Patrick Hennigan - 2000
AZTEC'S COMPETING:
Aja Frary - heptathlon
Davida Sheppard - 100 hurdles
Felicia Stone - 100 hurdles
Lisa Domico - long jump
Aimee Crabtree - pole vault