FUTURE STARS
New meaning to fresh legs
Local girls prove you're never too young to hit
track
By Jagdip Dhillon
Record Staff Writer
July 15, 2012 12:00
AM
STOCKTON - Team Zoom is a family affair, and there is
about to be a family vacation.
Five of the seven members of the Stockton-based track and
field club come from the Fields and Lee families, including two who have
qualified for the USA Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships later this
month in Baltimore.
Former Stagg High and Cal standout Marcus Fields founded
and coaches the club with his wife, Zhauntel Holman-Fields. Their 8-year-old
daughter, Cameron, qualified in the long jump after going undefeated in 10 meets
in the Central California region and will compete on July 23-29. Fields will be
joined by 7-year-old teammate Sophia Lee, who qualified in the 800 meters after
winning at the Central Region 14 championships earlier this month in Tulare.
They will be among thousands of kids ages 7-18
participating in the 46th version of the event that is usually full of future
Olympians.
"Track for us is the basics," said Sophia's father, Rod
Lee. "It just teaches the kids how to run properly and builds athleticism. It's
great for them at this age."
Rod and Georgia Lee try to help out the Fields as much as
they can, and their 5-year-old daughter, Jordan, is on the team as well. In
addition to Cameron, the Fields' 7-year-old daughter, Kori, and 5-year-old son,
Marcus Jr., are on the team, which was created in 2010.
Team Zoom's success is no accident. Marcus Fields, who
excelled at Stagg from 1993-96, was one of the best high school running backs
this area has ever produced and his wife was a four-time Sac-Joaquin Section
100-meters champion at Valley High of Sacramento and had a track scholarship at
Cal. Fields said he didn't run any track until his sophomore year with the Delta
Kings, so he's glad to provide his kids and others an opportunity to participate
at an early age.
"It's fun to see them love the sport and have fun and be
competitive," Fields said. "I try to not push too much, but sit back and enjoy
their accomplishments."
Cameron said she enjoys the competition and trying to
improve in every meet. While Fields was dominant this season, Sophia didn't
medal until she qualified for the Junior Olympics earlier this month.
"I've been waiting and waiting to be first and now was my
time to do it," Sophia said.
Rod Lee said his daughter's understanding of the sport is
growing with each meet and she now counts it among her favorite activities along
with dancing and basketball. The elder Fields and Lees all said track and field
provides great teaching moments for them as parents.
"We're so excited for them because they've worked hard
and it's an amazing opportunity for both of them," Georgia Lee said. "Track is
so one-on-one, where it's just you by yourself having to compete against others,
it can help provide so many life lessons."
New meaning to fresh legs
Local girls prove you're never too young to hit
track
By Jagdip Dhillon
Record Staff Writer
July 15, 2012 12:00
AM
STOCKTON - Team Zoom is a family affair, and there is
about to be a family vacation.
Five of the seven members of the Stockton-based track and
field club come from the Fields and Lee families, including two who have
qualified for the USA Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships later this
month in Baltimore.
Former Stagg High and Cal standout Marcus Fields founded
and coaches the club with his wife, Zhauntel Holman-Fields. Their 8-year-old
daughter, Cameron, qualified in the long jump after going undefeated in 10 meets
in the Central California region and will compete on July 23-29. Fields will be
joined by 7-year-old teammate Sophia Lee, who qualified in the 800 meters after
winning at the Central Region 14 championships earlier this month in Tulare.
They will be among thousands of kids ages 7-18
participating in the 46th version of the event that is usually full of future
Olympians.
"Track for us is the basics," said Sophia's father, Rod
Lee. "It just teaches the kids how to run properly and builds athleticism. It's
great for them at this age."
Rod and Georgia Lee try to help out the Fields as much as
they can, and their 5-year-old daughter, Jordan, is on the team as well. In
addition to Cameron, the Fields' 7-year-old daughter, Kori, and 5-year-old son,
Marcus Jr., are on the team, which was created in 2010.
Team Zoom's success is no accident. Marcus Fields, who
excelled at Stagg from 1993-96, was one of the best high school running backs
this area has ever produced and his wife was a four-time Sac-Joaquin Section
100-meters champion at Valley High of Sacramento and had a track scholarship at
Cal. Fields said he didn't run any track until his sophomore year with the Delta
Kings, so he's glad to provide his kids and others an opportunity to participate
at an early age.
"It's fun to see them love the sport and have fun and be
competitive," Fields said. "I try to not push too much, but sit back and enjoy
their accomplishments."
Cameron said she enjoys the competition and trying to
improve in every meet. While Fields was dominant this season, Sophia didn't
medal until she qualified for the Junior Olympics earlier this month.
"I've been waiting and waiting to be first and now was my
time to do it," Sophia said.
Rod Lee said his daughter's understanding of the sport is
growing with each meet and she now counts it among her favorite activities along
with dancing and basketball. The elder Fields and Lees all said track and field
provides great teaching moments for them as parents.
"We're so excited for them because they've worked hard
and it's an amazing opportunity for both of them," Georgia Lee said. "Track is
so one-on-one, where it's just you by yourself having to compete against others,
it can help provide so many life lessons."