Cross Country and Track Runner
Senior at Riverbank High School, graduating 2008
Attending Oklahoma State University, Fall 2008
German broke the state cross country record at Saturday's CIF State competition, running the 5K course in 14:24. The previous 14:38 record had been set by Marc Davis in 1986. This is the fastest time in California state history. German has also broken the course record on every course he has run this season.
From DyeStat:
"Saving the best for last, German Fernandez of Riverbank (near Modesto) attacked the 5,000-meter Woodward Park course like no other runner. Opening up with a 4:27 mile, he proceeded through two miles in 9:12 before crossing the finish line in 14:24 to break the all-time course record of 14:38 set by Mark Davis of San Diego in the Kenny Western Regionals and the Division I record of 14:45 set by Brian Dameworth of Agoura in 1989. Tyre Johnson of Palma (Salinas) was second in 15:38 and Alberto Solis of Big Bear was third in 15:44. Defending champion Big Bear won the team title with 101 points followed by St. Mary’s (Berkeley) with 135, McFarland with 142 and Nordhoff with 165."
11.10.07: German broke the CIF San Joaquin course record, and the Riverbank High Boys cross country team qualified for the State Championship Meet.
11/10/07: German broke the course record, 15:03
9/29/07 Stanford Invitational Results: 14:42
"...German Fernandez annihilated the best competition he faced in emerging as the runaway winner of the Seeded Boys Race at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday, besting Willow Glen's Mohamed Abdalla by 40 seconds to post the fastest time of the day in winning from here to Utah." by Rich Gonzalez, Editor
9/08/07 Sierra High School Invitational Results:
"Riverbank's German Fernandez crushed his two-year old 5k course record by over a minute, running an impressive early season 14:47. In route to this time, his mile splits were 4:33 at the mile and 9:21 at the two mile mark. Beyer's Crystal Esparza won the varsity girl's division race in a time 18:44." --- Lisa Shrock
2007 California State Track Meet 3200, 3rd Place Finish, Division IV
Time: 9:08.05
2006 California State 2nd Place Finish, Division IV
Time: 15:37
2005 California State Cross Country Champion, Division IV
Time: 15:14
DyeStatCal Athlete of the Week October 3-7, 2005
http://www.dyestatcal.com/news/xc2005New/October/03AOW.htm
German is coached by Bruce Edwards.
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9 reviews
By BEE Staff Reporters
http://www.modbee.com/sports/highschools/story/86779.html
Riverbank High senior German Fernandez continued his winning ways on Saturday, capturing the Artichoke Invitational at Half Moon Bay in a course-record 11 minutes, 4 seconds.
Fernandez, who won the prestigious Stanford Invitational last Saturday, averaged 4:37 a mile on the 2.33-mile course.
"German went out at 4:36 and then maintained it," said Riverbank coach Bruce Edwards. "Even with the hill in there, he was able to average 4:37 a mile, which is pretty impressive because it's a pretty steep hill."
Riverbank's Jacob Hodges placed 21st in 13:33, Octavio Vigil 24th at 13:38. Riverbank, which rested three of its top six runners, placed fifth overall.
103 reviews
By Doug Speck
DyeStatCal.com
http://www.dyestatcal.com/news/xc2007/August/29%20G%20Fernandez%20Intv/Summary.htm
"One of the nation’s most talented distance runners is German Fernandez of Riverbank High School. The Sac Joaquin section senior has shown so much potential during a career that has been marked by setbacks that included knee surgery and assorted other ailments. He still has some amazing accomplishments, with his smooth 15:14 State Division IV Cross Country title run two years ago still one of the best soph distance running efforts we have ever witnessed, and a strong finish to his junior 2007 track season that had him third in the State 3200 at 9:08.05 and a close second in the Golden West Invitational mile in a fine 4:13.32. As he heads into his senior fall season all have their fingers crossed for the likable Sac Joaquin Section star from the small Sac Joaquin powerhouse, Riverbank, with a fine start to the harrier campaign at the Fleet Feet Delta Kings Invitational August 24th.
In a pretty low-key season opener at Live Oak Park on a course listed as 2.98 miles, German (say it with a “G”) simply popped a 14:07 clocking at the Delta Kings affair, showing that he will be one to be reckoned with at the top levels his senior year.
We caught up with German in the middle of the week following his fine Delta King performance and he was good enough to spend some time with us. Sometimes a few ups and downs along the way gives one a better sense of appreciation of one’s talents and a commitment to good preparation that makes the successes possible in our running activity. One who looks ready to close down his prep career in style after learning all the lessons, off to a super start heading into September, is Riverbank’s German Fernandez.
1) What were your thoughts on your run in the Fleet Feet Delta Kings Invitational where you raced 14:07 for 2.98 miles?
GH - I felt good. I am using the early meets for workouts to prepare myself for state and hopefully nationals. I ran the course for the first time in the meet and was hoping for a good time and it came out that way. I was tired, but ran fast.
2) What kind of preparation did you do this summer for your senior year?
GH - I had a pattern of three workouts on Monday, two on Tuesday, and one on Wednesday. I started the pattern again on Thursday with three workouts, then two on Friday, and one on Saturday. I took Sundays off. I was running about 50-60 miles per week. I often ran in the heat of the day up here, but did mix it up with some running in the morning and evening. I definitely did much more running than I ever have before in the summer. Before my soph year I did not run much during the summer, and I was hurt before last year.
3) How did the successes you had at the end of your junior track season, third in the State Meet 3200 at 9:08 and second in the Golden West Invitational Mile at 4:13 help you for this year?
GH - Considering in February I thought I had a stress fracture, as I had one shin that was bothering me a great deal, I was pleased with track season. Instead of shin splints in both shins I had just one shin that really hurt a lot and we had it checked out and it was not a stress fracture, but it took a time away from good running early in the season.
4) We were particularly impressed with your 15:14 soph state meet win at Woodward Park two years ago--how did you feel during that race which looked so smooth and effortless?
GH - I was really kind of nervous that day, but I have found that I run best when I am a little nervous. I remember that I started fast and wondered how I would be able to do near the finish. After the race I remember asking how good 15:14 was, and overall it was a great day.
5) What are some of your meets coming up?
GH - I know we are running the Sierra Invitational and then later in September the Stanford Invitational.
6) What are your thoughts on your running after high school?
GH - I would like to stay in California for my college running after high school. I hope to hve a good coach and be part of a good team, and work towards my goal of running in the Olympics.
7) What are some of your goals this year in your running?
GH - I hope to win state and be able to run in the nationals.
Off his start I would not bet against him--------
Thanks German - Best of Luck"