Improving by almost a minute over his league championship race time from 2010, senior cross country runner Keith Geiger helped his squad win the DFAL Championships at Hidden Valley Park, Martinez, last Saturday– while also helping to break the team-time course record.
Taking 51 seconds off of his previous Hidden Valley Park three-mile best, Geiger finished in 15:59, placing 4th overall.
Junior Rod Favard, a team captain, said, “Keith is one of the hardest working people I know.” Favard added that Geiger is, “a true role model to all people aspiring to be someone big.”
Geiger prepares for his races the night before by visualizing what he wants to accomplish. On race day, “[I] eat my normal breakfast and do my warm up,” he explained. His preparation also includes listening to music like his pump up song “BOM” by POD.
His favorite race of the season was the Stanford Invitational, on September 26. On the Stanford Golf course Geiger crushed his previous best by 48 seconds, breaking the 16 minute mark and helping his team win the Division III title.
Senior Lena Olufson, outside hitter for varsity girl’s volleyball, earned her spot as Athlete of the Issue with her fast-flying spikes.
Junior Annie Shurtz, also a varsity outside hitter, said of Olufson, “She’s a great asset to our team as far as being a huge hitter who can get kills in pressure situations, and she has the coolest shoes ever.”
Olufson helped her team remain undefeated through the DFAL season and had multiple “kills” in the NCS game against Petaluma. A member of last season’s State Championship team, she has been contributing to the varsity team for two years.
“She’s a total bouncer and hits like a truck,” setter Sophie Seiberth said. “She’s a good teammate and makes all practices and games really fun.”
Olufson said she loves “the team aspect of [volleyball].” Before matches she prepares by “blasting music with the team.” Olufson listens to “Get out of Your Mind” by Lil John.
In spite of the recent success on the court, Olufson admitted that “having mental toughness” is a trait she has worked on since the beginning of her athletic career.
