Amber Trotter posts one of the all-time best performances by a high school girl - 16:16, breaking the Mt. SAC record by 22 seconds
Amber Trotter has learned about the power of positive thinking and visualization while recovering from an eating disorder that knocked her out of the 2000 outdoor season. She put this skill to good use when she powered past the mile mark in a blazing 5:04, which was 11 seconds faster than the conservative first mile she had in mind. It was the kind of pace that kills at Mt. SAC, which is laden with tough hills after the flat first mile.
"I just tried to turn it to a positive thing," Trotter told reporters after the race. "I thought, gee, I have a chance for the record." She thought for sure she could get the record when she came down from the sidehill switchbacks in the second mile feeling strong. Then the third mile over Reservoir Hill and down to the finishing stretches became an ordeal. She heard the crowd shouting she could "break 17 minutes" so she was astounded to see the finish line clock barely over 16 minutes when she turned the corner of the short uphill finish stretch. She screamed and cried as she streaked under the finish clock at 16:16. Asked why, she said, "I was in pain."
Even then, Trotter wanted to talk not about records, but about running "for the love of running and the healthiness I feel."
Trotter comes from the same Northern California region that produced Julia Stamps and Sara Bei, but she still doesn't think of herself in their class. "I was in middle school when Julia set the record. I had her autograph," Trotter said. Facts are facts, however. Julia Stamps' Mt. SAC record fell last year to the great Anita Siraki in 16:38, which most people thought would stand for years. Now, Trotter slashed 22 seconds off Siraki's record. It's enough to make you feel positive about yourself.
Ukiah sr Amber Trotter 16:16 Fallbrook sr Katie Matlack 18:03 Centennial soph Brittany Grimes 18:04 Madera sr Heather Hansen 18:05 Fountain Valley jr Bethany Nickless 18:13
Canyon 118, Centennial 133, Bonita Vista 161, El Camino 189
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