San Diego College Notebook : Mark Dani Makes Good Time After His Detour

While competing in his first race in nearly a year, Grossmont College’s Mark Dani missed a turn and finished 16th in the Moorpark Invitational earlier this month.

It wasn’t the first wrong turn Dani has taken since graduating from Valhalla High School in 1986.

After a stellar senior year in which he was section cross-country champion year, Dani “detoured” to the University of Wisconsin for his freshman year.

Dani had a solid year with the Wisconsin cross-country team, but a disagreement between Dani and Wisconsin Coach Martin Smith about training methods caused Dani to transfer after the spring semester. He did not compete in track.

“(Smith) was a really good coach,” Dani said. “He really knew his stuff.”

However, Dani was reluctant to change the training methods that had been successful for him.

“We had a little falling out,” Dani said. “I just wasn’t ready to give up on how I did things. I should have met him half way, but what I did in high school worked and it’s hard to give that up.”

The experience has matured Dani and he is trying to get his running back on track.

“I learned a lot in that one year,” Dani said. “I think now, I’m ready to put my running in someone else’s hands. A year ago, I wasn’t ready.”

Dani didn’t miss any turns at the MiraCosta Invitational last week, winning the four-mile race and leading Grossmont to a second place tie. His experience and ability have made him one of the favorites to win the state individual title.

Although he enjoys cross-country, Dani said he is really looking forward to the track season. He hasn’t competed in track since his senior year at Valhalla. Dani said he plans to concentrate on the 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

Dani also has had to deal with another relatively new experience--injuries.

A pinched nerve in his back kept Dani from running for a week. It was supposed to have been longer.

“It’s getting better,” Dani said. “I missed a week of running. Finally, I just ran with pain for two or three weeks. I went crazy. All I did was eat. My exercise consisted of going to the refrigerator and getting something to eat.”

Grossmont College has won 18 straight conference titles. The Griffins have also won 12 state titles. Mike Muirhead has coached at Grossmont the past six years, continuing the Griffins’ conference streak and adding two state titles.