THESE NATIONAL ATHLETES CALL APTOS HOME

As it appeared in the Aptos Times, June 15, 2010 Edition

On May 29th, on the fields of the Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte N.C., under the threat of thunder and lightening, participants of the 2010 NCAA Division 2 Track and Field National Championships took to their events hoping for the elusive national title.

Three of these athletes would walk away with All-American status, while another would also add the title “National Champion.” Aptos can be proud of all three athletes, who call our town home.

The lightening and thunder had already postponed part of Friday’s events, but the humidity hovered over them with little relief.

Sophomore Nick Howe of University of California, San Diego, entered the javelin event ranked 3rd. With a throw of 225’, he walked away with a personal record and the Championship. As for school records, he is the first and only male national champion in the history of UCSD track and field.

“It’s been remarkable to see his improvement through these first two years,” Coach Tony Salerno, head coach at UCSD stated. “We’ve made some investments in perfecting his technique and quite frankly, I didn’t expect for him to get these kinds of results that fast. It’s been impressive that he’s developed this quickly and he certainly has a bright future, considering he’s only a sophomore.”

As a freshman, Howe was named CCAA Freshman of the Year after winning the javelin event with a throw of 189’10”. That same year he qualified for 2009 NCAA Division 2 Nationals and placed 11th with a throw of 195’11. His throw at the NCAA qualifier set the UCSD record with a mark of 201’3” at the Occidental Invitational.

Ask Howe who has made the biggest impression on him athletically, and he’ll say his father. Ralph Howe, a two-time All American Athlete himself, was a top U.S. javelin prospect in the 1990’s, nearly qualifying for the 1996 Atlanta games.

When asked what made the difference in Charlotte, Nick said, “Most of it is genetics, and I know I work really hard. On my fifth throw, the winning throw, I was thinking of my dad. I thought ‘this is for you.’”

Two young ladies from Aptos, superior athletes who also happen to be sisters, walked away with marks their parents are quite proud.

Senior Donna LeFever was named All-American with a sixth-place finish in the pole vault by posting a mark of 12’ 2.75”. Only weeks previous to the Nationals, she placed second at the CCAA Championships. She is the record holder at UCSD in the pole vault with height of 12’6” at Long Beach Invitational.

Donna’s sister, Junior Stephanie LeFever, won an All-American for placing 7th in the long jump and then won another All-American award in the 4x400. Stephanie joined teammates Jacqueline “Boo” Rose, Christine Merrill and Kelly Fogarty in the 4x400 relay event and finished eighth, earning them each a coveted All-American status with a time of 3:44.82.

Stephanie holds 5 UCSD records: She holds the 2nd best mark in the long jump and the Heptathlon. She holds the 6th best mark in the triple jump and the 7th best mark in the 100 Meter hurdles in the high jump she holds 8th place.

While school budget cuts threaten athletic programs across the nation, these young people’s performances are a reminder that we cannot lose sight of the fact that for many students, to be called “All-American” is a part of their American dream.