Track and field 2011 season preview

Once she had time to reflect on her record-breaking 2010 sophomore campaign, Capistrano Valley junior Gianna Lowery acknowledged it was hard not to be impressed with the results.

She became the county record holder in the 200 at the Orange County Championships and would eventually lower her record time to 24.15 at the South Coast League Finals. At the same meet, she also moved into second place in county history in the 100 (11.87). Both times are county sophomore records.

"When I looked back on how hard I worked and what I was able to do, I was proud," Lowery said.

• Boys track and field Top 10
• Girls track and field Top 10
• Boys athletes to watch
• Girls athletes to watch
• Important dates for the 2011 track season

That level of achievement has many anticipating big things for Lowery, who also is eager to see what she can accomplish, while maintaining a realistic approach.

"Because of what I did last year, I'm really excited to see what I can do this year," Lowery said. "I know there is a lot expected of me, but I can only try to improve as much as my mind and body will allow."

A fracture in her right foot hampered Lowery's efforts throughout CIF competition last May and she fell five hundredths of second short of qualifying for the state meet in the 200.

"I was able to recover and I'm back to running at 100 percent," she said. "My main focus will be to get better each race."

CRAVER READY

Woodbridge senior Jalen Craver also is looking forward to going above and beyond a successful 2010 season.

The second team All-County running back qualified for the state meet finals in both the 200 and 400 last June, finishing fifth and third, respectively.

He enters the season third in county history in the 200 (21.04) and the 400 (46.92) and identified what it will take to move to the top of the record books this season.

"I just have to practice hard and put forth everything that I have," he said.

Though he is a lofty target for some of the state's other top runners, Craver outlined a simple race philosophy.

"I try not to think about motivation or who I'm running against," Craver said. "I just go out and run as fast as I can."

INDOOR SUCCESS

Though the 2011 CIF track and field season officially starts this week, some of the county's top athletes competed this past weekend at the California State Indoor Meet at State.

Trabuco Hills senior Alex Donigian placed first in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.45.

In the boys' high jump, Canyon junior Cody Crampton cleared 6-6 to win the competition.

Foothill senior Nathaniel Cushing-Murray (9:36.79) was third at two miles.

El Toro senior Adam Bragg (15-1) was third in the pole vault, while fellow Chargers senior Brad Bolton (73-4) won the weight throw title and was third in the shot put at 55-9.

In the girls high jump, Orange Lutheran senior Annie Giebelhaus (5-4) tied for the top clearance, while Foothill senior Ariane Gushue (11:16.31) placed second in the two-mile race. Huntington Beach junior Amy Loschiavo (11-1) tied for third in the pole vault.

NEW STANDARDS

Coaches and statisticians are encouraged to visit the boys and girls track and field pages on OCVarsity.com to check out the new standards for reporting track and field dual meet results. Results are encouraged to be submitted to jeichelberger@ocregister.com and preps@ocregister.com by 9:30 p.m. for inclusion into the paper.