Cross Country Harriers hit stride
by Alan Guardado & Emily Duong
Photo by Alan Guardado
Starting their preseason with a series of invitationals, the harriers hope to keep their seven-year streak as league champions alive as they prepare to compete at their first league meet Sept. 27 at Whittier Narrows.
At the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic Sept. 16, there were 100 medalists per race. Varsity girls took eleventh place, varsity boys took fourteenth, JV girls placed twenty-fourth, junior boys placed sixteenth, sophomore girls placed twentieth, sophomore boys placed nineteenth, frosh girls placed twentieth and frosh boys placed twenty-fifth.
“I felt satisfied with my time, knowing that I can set a higher goal this year. Medaling felt great and I am motivated to keep working hard as an individual and as a team,” said junior Richard Flores, varsity harrier.
The Spartan medalists were Julianne Acevedo, Marai Atanacio, Lizbeth Cano, Abdahly Casteneda, Grace Cervantes, Ozrael Escobar, Marbella Flores, Juan Lopez, Ivan Lozano, Armando Morales, Gabriela Ocariz, Mitchell Saisho and Dustin Vu.
“This team has been exceeding expectations for the past six years, and I strongly believe that we have another chance of winning league in all divisions again. The team has been performing well during preseason, especially the underclassmen, assuring the seniors that the team’s future is in great hands,” said Escobar, senior varsity.
At the Rosemead Invitational Sept. 9, the top 60 finishers medaled. Senior girls placed fifth, senior boys placed ninth, junior girls and junior boys both placed tenth placed tenth, sophomore girls placed thirteenth, sophomore boys placed ninth, freshman girls placed eleventh, and freshman boys placed ninth.
“The invitational went very well. Our times were great, and I know we can do better if we keep working hard throughout the season,” said Cervantes, varsity senior.
At their first race of the season at the Arcadia Fastback Shootout Sept. 2, senior girls placed first, senior boys places second, junior girls and junior boys placed ninth, sophomore girls placed eleventh, sophomore boys placed eighth, freshman girls placed tenth and freshman boys placed fifth. The top 60 runners received medals at the race.
“Preseason has had its ups and downs, due to adding and also dropping people. The new faces on the team have added a welcomed new energy. The previous team left their mark, and now it’s up to this year’s team to continue the tradition,” said Head Coach Manuel Quintero.