Aftershock Distance Club wins big in summer meets

The Aftershock distance club brought home five gold medals and all 10 athletes placed in the top 10 in one or more of their events at the USA Track and Field State Championships at Mesa Community College. From left, Swayze Smith, Allyson Arellano, Karen Arellano, Penny Fenn, Chris D’Angelo, Coach Micah Swenson, Brianna Epperson, Jalen Ebert, Rachel Valentine and Sydney Alexander.
Photo courtesy of Steve D'Angelo

Coach Micah Swenson has kept his runners busy this summer, and they have proof of their hard work and dedication.

The Aftershock Distance Club prepare during the week and compete almost every weekend during the summer.

Perhaps their best meet this summer was the USA Track and Field State Championships at the beginning of June at Mesa Community College.

“Overall this meet was a success for us,” Swenson said. “Most of [the athletes] ran very well and had good times.”

The Aftershock had five gold medals by the end of the meet, and all ten Aftershock athletes placed in the top 10 in one or more of their events.

Allyson Arellano won the 1,500-meter run in 4 minutes, 59.88 seconds and 3,000-meter run in 10:50.64 in the 13-14 age group.

Penny Fenn ran in the girls 15-16 division, winning the 3,000 in 11:24.15. She also took second in the 1,500 and fourth in the 800.

Chris D’Angelo, who runs unattached but trains with the club, won the 1,500 with a 4:34.20 time, and the 3,000 in 10:04.83, improving his time dramatically in both races. He shaved off 26 seconds in the 3,000 and 23 seconds in the 1,500.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, June 19, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.

Staci Gasser

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