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.”