Megan Bartschat ran her last ever race for the Mariners on Saturday in San Mateo. She finished her sophomore year with the last possible race, at the CCCAA State Championships. Bartschat raced her heart out in the 1500 meters and took ninth, just two seconds off her career best time.
Bartschat's path to the State Championships began in mid-April at the College of San Mateo Last Chance Meet. She set a personal record, and took second in the 1500 meter with a time of 5:03.01.
She was strategic at the Big 8 Conference Championships, taking third in the same event despite a finish time of 5:10.99. Bartschat enjoyed a week of team training prior to the NorCal Championships on May 4th. At the NorCal Finals she posted a time of 5:03.39 that was good for third and guaranteed her a berth at the State Championships.
Bartschat faced an incredibly tough field in the 1500 meter. The group of 12 competitors included the nation's best as well as the 6th and 11th ranked runners in the discipline. In a wet and slippery race, Megan braved the elements and took ninth place, and fourth of all Northern California runners. Her time of 5:05.02 was her fourth best of the year, but kept her in competition throughout the race.
Coach Liz Gill was very impressed by Bartschat at this meet and the entire season, "Megan finished off her track career finishing ninth place at State and accomplishing her goal of top 10…Despite it being a slower race, Megan was only two seconds off her personal best. She showed a lot of poise in cold and rainy conditions and made the whole team very proud by running a smart race and finishing strong."
Bartschat was the first Mariner to reach the Track and Field State Championships in over 10 years.