Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Savannah Sawyer of Ygnacio Valley High
Grade: Junior
School: Ygnacio Valley High
Sport: Track and Field
CONCORD, CA (May 22, 2024) — After her family moved from Castro Valley to Concord last summer Sawyer knew she wanted to continue improving as a track and field athlete at her new school. And she indeed has realized some goals this spring.
She won the 100 meters and was second in both the 200 and her new event the 300 hurdles at the Diablo Athletic League meet. “I’ve been doing track and field since I was about eight years old. I started out sprinting and long jumping, but developed a love for sprinting,” she said. Sawyer was on the Steale Gazelles track club before high school. “While I didn’t gain any major rewards for that part of my track experience, it taught me many of the skills I know today and prepared me for the road ahead.”
She stopped competing with the club and dedicated her time to high school track. Last spring, Sawyer was part of the Castro Valley 4×100 relay that competed at the Bayshore North Coast Section Meet.
At Ygnacio Valley this spring “I managed to break 13 seconds in the 100, PR in the 200 with a 26 and even began running 300m hurdles for the first time to achieve a sub 50 time. To my surprise, I’ve gotten the fastest time for the girls 100m dash at Ygnacio Valley in the last few decades.”
This month her league results led to Tri-Valley NCS beths in her three individual running events and encouraged her to “plan on going to State my senior year.” Wolves track and field coach Mark Tran says, “Savannah made great strides this season. She was able to improve her personal best in every event. Her potential is limitless, and I am excited to see what she does in the future.”
In the classroom she has a 3.83 GPA, especially enjoying her careers in teaching and theory of knowledge classes. “After high school, I hope to attend a four-year college in SoCal while continuing to run track.” She isn’t sure what career path she will pursue but would like it to be sports related. “I have always wanted to study abroad in college and Europe currently piques my interest. I know that I want to travel as much as possible while also honoring my love for track and field.”
The Pioneer congratulates Savannah and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving the Clayton and Concord area for over three decades at Family Vision Care Optometry.
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement, or a great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for Spotlight to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.
Read more Pioneer Athlete Spotlights.
Jay Bedecarré
Jay Bedecarré is a long-time resident and writer in Concord and Clayton. He began his newspaper writing career while still a senior at Mt. Diablo High School and he has been part of The Pioneer since its inception in 2003. Jay also operates Bay Area Festivals, presenting events around the San Francisco Bay Area including Bay Area KidFest annually in Downtown Concord.