Run for Fun
Mike Sciacca
She has been seen by some track “experts” as having similarities to
former Olympian Mary Decker Slaney: natural in style, forceful and full
of grace.
But for how much she has studied various runners, from Olympians to
some of her competitors, Anja Disiena has managed to form her own
identity.
She’s become one of the premiere track athletes for her age in the
state, flourishing into something quite remarkable.
Still, flourish might seem too strong a term, because Anja is just 11
years old, and her career spans just four years.
Interestingly enough, though, taking up this sport began by chance.
It’s also been a fun experience for the soon-to-be sixth-grader at
Sowers Middle School.
“I love it,” said the bright, articulate youngster. “My coach makes it
so much fun . . . he’s just the best coach in the world. He’s always so
positive, even if you make a mistake in a race. He always manages to give
a high five, even though it might have not been my best effort.”
That “coach” is Tony DiMarco, who heads the Coast Track Club in
Huntington Beach. DiMarco sees a bright future for his eager young track
star.
“There are so many special qualities about Anja -- her drive,
motivation and work ethic, which would be outstanding for any athlete,
let alone an 11-year-old,” he said. “From that standpoint, I see Anja
with many qualities similar to Mary Decker Slaney. But to comparing Anja
to her, right now, might be premature. She definitely could become an
Olympic athlete. I definitely think she has a future in this sport.”
DiMarco, who puts Anja through two days of interval training each
week, stages invitationals, including the All Comers Meet held each
winter at Huntington Beach High School. It is there that she first made
her mark.
Anja said she began running as a warmup prior to her karate classes.
She enjoyed it so much that she told her father, Al, that she’d like to
continue with it.
“It just sort of grew from there,” Anja said. “I got into the city
meets at the high school and really had fun with it.”
That “fun” may stem from the fact that Anja tasted success early. She
was one of the youngest competitors at her first Huntington Beach City
cross country meet (Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation
division), where, as a 5-year-old, she competed against 7-year-olds.
She would get second and third place finishes against her older
competitors, and when she got older, she ran in her own age group, and
began winning.
Big.
In 1999, Anja was the city, Orange County and state champion (SCMAF
division 90) in the 400 and 800 meters. In 2000, she repeated as SCMAF
division 90 champion in the 400 and 800 meters at the city (record
holder), county and state levels. At the Junior Olympics Bantam division
(9/10) she won the 800 meters and finished second in the 1,500 at the
state championships. She was second in both events at the regional
competition.
Her list of accomplishments continued to grow this year.
Anja again was the city (record holder), county and state winner in
two events, the 400 and 800 meters in SCMAF division 90, placed third at
both the state and regional tournaments, and earned a spot as one of 38
female competitors at the 2001 National Junior Olympic Track and Field
Championships, held in Sacramento in late July.
She finished ninth in the second of two heats in the Midget division
(11/12) 1,500 meters and was the lone 11-year-old to compete.
Anja is considered a favorite to return to the Junior Olympics in
2002.
“I plan to continue with my training, working hard to meet my goals,”
said Anja, who somehow finds time for several hobbies, including reading,
writing, poetry, tennis, swimming and dancing with her sister, Gia, 4.
“Eventually, my goal is to make it to the Olympics. I don’t care what I
run -- the 1,500, 800 or 400 -- as long as I make it.”
Anja comes from a family with an athletic background. Her father, Al,
was a professional bodybuilder and bodyguard to the stars, including
Sylvester Stallone. Her mother, Barbara, was a natural bodybuilding
champion and fitness model. The two now work in real estate.
“My dad and my fitness consultant, Corey Dickson, have kept me
healthy,” said Anja, who is finishing her first year of extensively
traveling without major sponsorship. “I enjoy running with the Coast
Track Club, running in invitationals with women and men who are in high
school and college, I have a really great coach in Tony DiMarco and
really, I’m just having a great time.”
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