Hennessy wins CCS 800, then disqualified

By Dick Sparrer

The Central Coast Section track finals were held last Friday night at San Jose City College.

But Los Gatos superstar Heather Hennessy is hoping for a victory this Tuesday... not on the track, but in the appeal of her Friday disqualification in the 800 meters.

Hennessy has already won the 800 on the track. She finished first in the two-lapper in 2:10.6 last Friday, a time that ranks fourth in the nation behind her own third-place time of 2:10.29.

Hennessy was DQ'd after two timers at the finish line determined that she had impeded Sacred Heart Cathedral's Shannon Rowbury on the final turn.

"It was totally unfair," said Los Gatos coach Willie Harmatz, who is appealing the ruling at CCS this week. "The two timers were not only out of position, but the timers do not have the authority to make such a call or judgment."

Harmatz, who has watched videos of the race from two different angles, says that Hennessy was disqualified because she "cut off the Sacred Heart runner in the final straight."

"However, the national rule book says that if the runner's stride was not broken then it is a legal cut in," said Harmatz. "The videos prove that Heather did not break the other runner's stride."

Unfortunately for Hennessy, the national rule book and CCS bylaws prohibit the use of video tape in making a ruling.

Judges at the turn where the alleged infraction occurred did not raise their red flags, added the coach. "Heather was robbed of a CCS championship and a chance to go to the state meet," said Harmatz.

The coach encourages anyone who was present at the meet and would like to provide feedback to call him at 408.206.9973.

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