In his place we have local Cuyamaca College's Head Men's Cross Country Coach and Head Women's Track Coach, Tim Seaman.  Tim is a 2x Olympian in the 20km racewalk and has 43 National Championships under his belt, while still holding 10 American records.  Tim has lived in San Diego since 1997, when he co-founded the Racewalking Residency Program at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.

2011 hwas an exciting year for the athletes living in our association.   Leading it off from the upper echelon of the open ranks was John Nunn.  John started off the year right on track and just got better from there.  In February John qualified for the Pan-Am Cup of racewalking that would be held in Colombia.  John performed extremely well in the high altitude placing 11th in a time of 1:31:26 to be top US finisher in the event.  This allowed John the honor of being named Athlete of the Week.  John went on to place 2nd at the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Nationals in Eugene, Oregon where he walked the 2nd fastest time of his career (1:23:51) and his fastest time ever on US soil.  John's strong kick qualified him for the Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico for the 3rd time in his career, where he once again proved he is a national force to be reckoned with.

On the women's side, multiple ladies performed well this past year.  Leading the charge was Rache Seaman, who, while residing in the South Bay and training on the beautiful Coronado Bike Path everyday, actually competes for our neighbor to the north, Canada.  This past season saw a huge improvement for Rachel.  She broke the Canadian National record three times and qualified for the IAAF World Track and Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Rachel first broke the Canadian National 20km record in Huntington Beach, CA with her time of 1:34:22.  She then went to Europe and broke it again a few weeks later in Bekescaba, Hungary with her time of 1:33:43; an agonizing 13 seconds off of her meeting the Olympic Games qualifying time of 1:33:30.  fter an off day in South Korea, Rachel returned to San Diego and then a week later headed over to Germany to compete in the Naumberg Grand Prix.  This would be Rachel's last race of the season and her last chance to try and clinch that Olympic Team Spot before the crucial 2012 Olympic season began.  Rachel started off a bit faster than her plan but felt great through 15km.  She fought hard; harder than she ever had to fight before and finished third in a time of 1:33:33.  Ten seconds faster than her National Record, but now just 3 seconds of the London Team qualifying time.  Not to be discouraged, Rachel was extremely happy with her last race of the season and has vowed to use it as a motivator during the next few months of basework.

Next up for the senior women was Lauren Forgues, who competes for Champions International Track Club.  Lauren struggled at the beginning of the season, having to get her fourth knee surgery of her very young career, but came on strong when it counted - at the USATF Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.  Lauren walked her way to a 3rd place finish and a time of 1:37:41.  This was 19 seconds under the Olympic 'B' standard.  A crucial performance for the gutsy 23-year old who is originally from Maine but now lives in Imperial Beach.

Last but not least was Katie Burnett.  Katie also competes for Champions International Track Club and has been splitting her time between sunny San Diego and finishing up her Bachelors degree at William Penn University in Iowa.  Katie placed 2nd at the NAIA Indoor Nationals and then went on to walk an almost seven minute PR of 1:44:37 at the Huntington Beach St. Patrick's Day 20km race.  Those that might have thought that seven minutes were all that Katie could improve in a year were severely shocked when she placed 5th at the USATF Outdoor Nationals and walked a 1:41:10.  That was over a 10 minute improvement from her performance at the 2010 Outdoor Nationals.  Amazing!

The junior boys were lead by Torrey Pines 11th grader, Tyler Sorensen.  Tyler had one of the most amazing seasons in US history and would eventually lead to him being nominated for Youth Athlete of the year, later on in the season. Tyler started off his racing with a 10km US Jr. Road Record in Florida with his time of 42:54 at the Pan-Am Cup Trials.  He then went on to the Pan-Am Cup where he was the highest placing US finisher in all events.  He placed 10th with a time of 46:25.  Tyler then returned home and set his sights on the important summer races.  Tyler won the USATF Outdoor Jr, National championships in June with a new meet record time of 42:54.  Just two weeks later, the soon to be Torrey Pines senior, went on the place 5th at the World Youth Track and Field Championships in France in a time of 41:23 and break the US 10,000m walk Jr track record.  His time was 12 seconds faster than the previous meet record.  Tyler finished his season at the Pan-American Jr. Track and Field Championships in the oppressing Florida heat in a time of 44:38 to place 5th.

On the junior girls' side, Nicolette Sorensen, placed a brilliant 3rd at the USATF Junior National Championships.  Nicolette competed this past fall on the Torrey Pines Cross Country team.

As we make our way into 2012, the racewalkers in our Association are proving to be some of the best in America.  If you see them walking on the Strand in Coronado or at Lake Miramar, cheer them on!

Racewalk Training in San Diego:   San Diego has a variety of racewalking opportunities for walkers of all ages and abilities.  For walkers interested in learning the basics or improving their skills, check out Liz Salvato's Walk2Win training program for a "goal-oriented program offering guidance, motivation, structured training and FUN!"  For younger walkers, several youth clubs offer regular practices and competitions in various locations around the county.  Check out the list of local clubs at link on the left.  See also:  www.racewalk.com