Prep report: Move-in tickles Creek pink

Scott Stocker & Gerry Valerio, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 22, 2007 at midnight

Text size

More Sports Columns & Blogs

If you have seen Steve Lohman lately, undoubtedly he had a big smile on his face.

The longtime Cherry Creek boys track distance coach and the Bruins recently received some good fortune. His name is Charles White.

White moved to Colorado from New York at the beginning of the semester and enrolled at Cherry Creek after his father was transferred. To say White brings some outstanding credentials is an understatement.

White, a junior, is the National Scholastic Indoor mile champion, turning in a time of 4 minutes, 14.23 seconds on March 11 in Carmel, N.Y. It's no wonder why Lohman is feeling elated.

"This is probably one of the best move-ins I've ever seen here at Cherry Creek, and I've been coaching a long time," Lohman said. "It's exciting just to watch him race. He is such a tough competitor.

"He ran two 800s and a 400 at his first meet with us last Saturday. In the first 800, he ran 1:56, then he ran a 1:59, then came back and ran a 52.8 quarter. On his second 800, he got the baton in fifth place and within one lap, he was in first, but you could see the altitude was starting to affect him a bit."

White said he is adjusting to the altitude and needs a little more time to be acclimated. He has competed in Colorado before during summer meets and has trained on Boulder's mountain paths.

He also knows his competition, mentioning Grand Junction's Richard Medina, Kevin Williams of D'Evelyn and Arvada's Steven Weeks.

"I feel (the altitude), but not as much as I thought I would," said White, who attended Garden City High School (about 800 enrollment) on Long Island. "I've raced Medina, Williams and Weeks before. My goal is to win state, and I know I have to beat them to be the state champion. They are certainly good runners who know how to run in altitude."

White believes he is capable of running a 4:08 this season in the 1,600. If so, that would break the 26-year-old state record in the event. Rich Martinez of Widefield established the mark of 4:10.98 in 1981.

White, though, places the welfare of his new team ahead of attempting to break the record. His new teammates also are glad to see him wearing Cherry Creek colors.

"Charles is awesome, and it's nice to run with someone who is this passionate about his sport," Bruins teammate Luke Schafer said. "He has another gear that I don't have. He motivates us.

"It is cool to have him here and good to think you can run with someone of his caliber every day and not just going up against him in a race and say, 'Well, there's Charles White.' "

Lohman said White could run in some low-altitude races this season, such as Arcadia in Southern California and the Penn Relays, a meet he has competed in before.

"What is interesting is that Charles told me he would not compete in the Penn Relays if we needed him here," Lohman said. "He is such a super kid and not an elitist, either. He has always been asking what he can do to help the team. In terms of coaching him, it is kind of scary in a way, too. This kid is so good, I just hope that I don't screw him up."

White said he competed on a very good high school team in New York but certainly likes his new surroundings.

"I'm really happy here," White said. "I love Mr. Lohman. He is just a great coach and I like my new teammates. They have made me feel right at home.

"I know Cherry Creek is the highest class here in Colorado, but I've learned you can't get away from competition. A good athlete is a good athlete, no matter the size of his school."

White's move could also benefit the University of Colorado in the future. He said he has looked at CU, loves the campus and the quality of the cross country and track programs.

For the next two seasons, though, his talent will benefit the state's high school track community.

Basketball bounces

Melissa Jones (Legacy), Jaclyn Thoman (Highlands Ranch) and Hannah Tuomi (Horizon) were ranked among the top 40 players nationally by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Jones, rated 29th, narrowly missed out from participating in the WBCA All-American Game, which features the nation's top 20 prospects. Highlands Ranch coach Caryn Jarocki was selected the District 7 Coach of the Year and is a candidate for national honors. . . . The Show high school all-star games, sponsored by the Nuggets, will be played April 6 at the Pepsi Center. The girls game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. with the boys to follow at 5 p.m. Both games will be televised live on Altitude.

Rocky Preps poll

• Last week's question: Should booing be banned at high school sports events?

83% No

17% Yes

• This week's question: How would you characterize your interest in high school spring sports when compared with the fall and winter seasons?

Steinmark Award

• Nominations for the 36th boys and 34th girls Fred Steinmark High School Student/Athlete of the Year Award are due at the Rocky Mountain News by May 1. Any coach, athletic director or school administrator can nominate an athlete from any school.

• There are four requirements for an athlete to gain a nomination: The athlete must be a senior, have carried at least a 3.0 grade-point average through his/her high school career and have played a minimum of two sports each year. The nominee must have been selected all-state in one sport and at least all-league in another.

• There is no formal nomination form. Please submit a short letter or e-mail stating the athlete has met or will meet the requirements by the end of the spring season.

• Send nominations to: Fred Steinmark Award, c/o Scott Stocker, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202, or e-mail stockers@RockyMoun tainNews.com.

• In addition, coaches, athletic directors and administrators are needed for the Steinmark selection committee. Representatives from schools submitting nominees are not eligible.

Subscribe to the Rocky Mountain News