UNION CITY — The North Coast Section started recognizing the girls track and field teams in 2001, when it handed out the first team title award at the Meet of Champions.

That first crown went to James Logan High School and since the Colts have displayed the kind of dominance that resembles what LSU did in the 1980s at the Division I level. Logan, which watched St. Mary's claim the 2002 title, have gone on to win every crown since. And that includes this year, the seventh in a row for Logan.

It's all possible because of the man responsible at the top — 24-year veteran coach Lee Webb.

"My philosophy is to help the kids, not only in sport, in life ans what life brings," said Webb, who has been recognized as the East Bay Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year. "I think the whole idea of high school sports is learning how to do things the right way. I let them mess up, I'm flexible. I feel my job as an educator is to progress them to the next phase of their life."

One thing Webb never empasises is winning titles. Even when his squad tied Long Beach Wilson for the one and only state title two years ago. It came a year after his boys team claimed their first state crown.

"We never talk about winning the state meet, even if we have a good chance," Webb said. "All I ask is they do the best they can."

Lee Webb

  • SCHOOL: James Logan

  • TENURE: 24 seasons

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    THE SKINNY: Webb led seven girls to the California Interscholastic Federation state championship meet, four of whom made the finals of the grueling two-day event. Webb watched three girls place this year as Briana Stewart took third in both the 300-meter hurdles and the triple jump, Ciarra Brewer took fourth in the triple jump and Victoria Johnson took sixth in the 100 hurdles. James Logan also showed its depth by taking its sixth straight North Coast Section Meet of Champions team title despite not winning a single event.