Ackerman steps down as track coach

In the end, it was a tough decision, but one that Todd Ackerman had to make. After accepting the position as the Carson High girls basketball coach, Ackerman was undecided if he was going to stay on as Carson's boys and girls track coach as well.

It was just going to be too much of a long haul for Ackerman, so he recently turned in his resignation as the track coach.

Ackerman said the fact that the basketball and track seasons run back-to-back from November to June was a major factor in his decision. "That's a long time without a break," he said. "It's just the time commitment."

But Ackerman said it was a tough decision, especially with the track program having a strong nucleus back, especially the girls. Ackerman's girls teams have made a run at the NIAA 4A State title the past two years, taking second in both years. With athletes such as Kayla Sanchez, a nine-time state champion, Christy Works, Gloria Sosa, Yvonne Hollett, Emily Field and Brandi Vega potentially coming back, the girls team could make another run at a state title this year.

"It was a tough call," Ackerman said about the decision to step down. "We have a lot of great kids coming back. The cupboard's definitely not going to be bear for whomever gets to come in there."

Ackerman said he'll be willing to help the new coach in a limited capacity, mainly with administrative tasks.

While athletic director Diane Baker Roberts said she would have liked to see Ackerman continue in the track position, she understood why he stepped down.

"I understand taking on the girls basketball program and doing track is pretty tough," she said.

"They're going to have some tough shoes to fill," Roberts also said about the new coach."

Roberts said while there's no timetable, she hopes the position will be filled as soon as possible. She added the school has received some applicants for the job.

XTERRA NATIONAL

CHAMPIONSHIPS

Thousands of the world's top endurance athletes will converge on Incline Village/Lake Tahoe area on September 30 for the culmination of the XTERRA America Tour, the XTERRA National Championships.

Since March there have been 50 events across the country, including Alaska and Hawaii. On September 30, the best XTERRA racers ranging from ages 15-71 will compete for national titles.

The race, now in its seventh year in Incline Village, will be filmed and edited into a one-hour special that will be televised in national syndication, beginning in November.

The event will begin at the beach in front of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe where competitors will swim two laps of a 750-meter course in cold water at 6,200-foot elevation. Then it's on to a 32-kilometer, single loop mountain bike course. The first off road section featurs a 1,600-foot climb up Tunnel Creek Road to Tahoe's famous Flune Trail. The "Flume" consists of a 4.4 mile section known for its sheer rock faces and scenic views.

At the aspen-clad Marlette Lake, a second leg-burning climb on Hobart Road takes racers to the Tahoe Rim Trail. Halfway into the 6.6 mile section is the Marlette Lake overlook at 8,700 feet, the highest point on the XTERRA course. From the top, a 2,500-foot descent to the second transition that passes through a series of switchbacks.

The last leg of the race is a 10-kilometer forest trail run consisting of two 5-kilometer laps through some of nature's most arduous obstacles. While the run course remains relatively flat, there are numerous short, steep climbs and quick descents. Balancing along narrow log and rock crossings, and skipping over boulders are just a few of the final tests.

There is also an XTERRA Nevada course on Saturday, Sept. 29, which is identical to the main event except the swim and run segments are half-the-distance. XTERRA Nevada is open to anyone interested while the USA Championship is invitation only.

As part of the event, the XTERRA Pro Racing series is featured with some of the best mountain bikers and triathletes in the world, competing for $110,000 in prize money.

There's also the XTERRA trail running national championship, a twisting, turning, 10k up-and-down race, the last of 30 qualifying races held across the U.S.

Among the top local amateurs scheduled to compete in the USA Championship is Carson City's Janice Fliegler, the defending world champion in the women's 35-39 age division. Making Fliegler's achievements even more impressive is she's a mother of five children, all ages 7 and under.

To register for events or for more information, go to Xterraplanet.com or (877) 751-8880.