The Monte Vista Invitational - Home of the Eliminator!

 North Coast Section - all divisions - rankings as complied by Albert Caruana, coach at Crystal Springs Upland High School and editor of the popular web site:  Cross Country Express http://www.albertcaruana.blogspot.com/

Rankings are of course opinions, in this case, the opinions of Albert and several area coaches.  Since it is very early in the season, rating teams can be difficult at best.  However, it is valuable as an information and training tool, and gets a 'buzz' going with the team.  Monte Vista has worked hard to garner this early season attention, but the Mustangs know that the only true measerment comes on race days! 

Boys
1) San Ramon Valley Division I
2) De La Salle Division I
3) College Park Division II
4) Las Lomas Division III
5) Petaluma Division III
6) Castro Valley Division I
7) Livermore Division I
8) Monte Vista Division I
9) Acalanes Division III
10) Maria Carrillo Division III/Campolindo Division III

Girls
1) Castro Valley Division I
2) Monte Vista Division I
3) Casa Grande Division II
4) Acalanes Division III
5) Campolindo Division III
6) Maria Carrillo Division III
7) College Park Division I
8) Petaluma Division III
9) Montgomery Division II
10) Amador Valley Division I

On Monday, Coach Davis announced the Varsity Senior Captains for the 2009 season.  They are both four year veterans of MVXC team traditions and deserving leaders for the upcoming season.  Newbies to our squad would be wise to seek their advice on just about anything related to the sport of cross country! 

Congrats to Seniors Nicole Aha and Jake Erlick for being chosen for this honor. 

On Weds the 16th, Coach Sharon Kovar announced the Frosh-Soph team captains for 2009!  All were selected based on their committment to the team, their work ethic, and their ability to be leaders within the squad.  Oh yeah, they're pretty good runners as well! 

Congrats to 2009 F/S Team Captains Steve Lindow, Annie Kelly, Angelyn Brown and Nick Ranelli.

Congrats to the 2009 Cross Country "ASB Club" Officers who were nominated by the Coaches last week.  As an Associated Student Body club, these officers will approve the team budget, and handle requests for expenditures. 

President:  Jen Aceto - Senior
Vice President:  Michael Garaventa - Junior
Secretary/Treasurer:  Katie Swinnerton - Senior

Congrats to the brave Mustang runners who faced the tough climb to the top of Mt Diablo today!  Joined by Coaches Scott Camp and Mike Davis, plus 2003 alumni Ben Davis, the 2009 squad left Macedo Ranch just after 9am for the attack on the summit!  With temps in the 70's and 80's, conditions were nearly ideal for the event this year.  Former head coach Mike Huntsman provided the support vehicle and several inspirational talks, while Sr Katie Swinnerton helped with photos and encouragment.  Team parent Jean Chin supplied all the water and gatoraid and food the crew would need!

It's all business right off the bat, as the team climbs up the grueling BBQ Terrance trail to the first refueling station over 1/2 way up the mountain.  From there, the rest of the climb up to the observation tower over 3800 feet above sea level, is broken down into steep, but more manageable segments.  Once at the lower parking lot, the group assembled for the now traditional sprinT to the top, which is possibly harder than any of the other segments!  Sr Elliott Killick had more left in the tank than anyone else, claiming the bragging rights for this year.

A record group of runners did not walk at all (stopping only at our predetermined rest / refueling areas).  Overall, the hard work from the summer program was evident, as the team was up to the top around 11:25am. 

Congrats to the following who made the epic journey:

Girls - Kelly Peterson, Jill Anderson, Nicole Aha, Lauren Gratsch, Natalie Scott, Meghan Yap and Kristina Chin.   Boys - Elliott Killick, Jake Erlick, Steve Lindow, Stephen Balogh, Michael Garaventa, Paul Valla, Trevor Fuhriman, Dan Roderick, Taylor Balke, Brandon Rebottaro, Kevin Ho, Logan McCaul, Felix Amirfathi, Zach Chambers, Michael Bartz and Zach Erlick   Coaches - Scott Camp and Mike Davis   Alumni - Ben Davis (03)