La Mirada High School

2006 Cross Country Team Achievements

Captains:
Boys: Andrew Bueno, Enrique Nava, Mateo Cordova, Dennis Ly
Girls: Jenna Pasillas, Karina Gonzalez, Krystal Gomez, Stephanie Felix

Varsity Boys:

• Suburban League: 2nd Place (Record: 9.5 - 2.5)

• CIF-SS Championship Qualifiers

• Suburban League All-League: Andrew Bueno

 J.V. Boys:

• Suburban League: 3rd Place (Record: 7 - 5)

 J.V. Girls:

• Suburban League: 2nd Place (Record: 10 - 2)

• League Champion: Tatiana Cortes

• League Runner-up: Erica Campos

• Apache Invitational: 2nd place team

Varsity Girls:

• Suburban League Champions: Undefeated in league for 6 consecutive years (2001 - 2006)

• Suburban League Champion: Stephanie Felix

• Suburban League Runner-up: Melissa Byrd

• CIF-SS Championship Qualifiers: 21 Consecutive Years

• Suburban League All League: Stephanie Felix (2 years), Karina Gonzalez (3 years), Melissa Byrd, Sarah Jeon

• Sunny Hills Invitational: 2nd place team

• Brea Invitational: 2nd place team

• Apache Invitational: 2nd place team

• Team Time Record at Mt SAC (97:54): Felix, Byrd, Jeon, Pasillas, Negrete, Gonzalez, & McIntyre

• Individual Junior Class Record: Stephanie Felix (17:19)

• Individual Freshman Class Record: Lauren McIntyre (19:21)

• CIF-SS Finals Qualifiers: Stephanie Felix & Melissa Byrd

• All-CIF First Team: Stephanie Felix

• State Qualifier: Stephanie Felix

• All-State First Team: Stephanie Felix

Rookie of the Year
The "Rookie of the Year" is selected by coaches and athletes.  It is traditionally awarded to the freshman or new runner whose effort and ability enabled them to excel above and beyond what is routinely expected of a Rookie.  This year's group of new runners includes many athletes who worked hard and are deserving of the award. 

The stand outs, and the runners who received votes, are Bianca Ceballos, Lauren McIntyre, Melissa Byrd, and Tatiana Cortes on the girls team. On the boys team, the vote for "Rookie of the Year" was close . . . Greg Luna and Vincent Ha received the most votes.  The award goes to an athlete who earned a varsity uniform and proved to himself that most of his limits are in is mind.   

This year's Rookie of the Year award goes to . . .

Boys: Greg Luna

Girls: Melissa Byrd 

Most Improved
Selected by athletes and coaches, the "Most Improved Runner" award is presented to the 2^nd or 3^rd year runner whose work ethic throughout the season at practices and races resulted in significant improvements in times and multiple PR's.  This year a large number of runners improved and received votes.  In voting for this award, the team was asked to consider those athletes who attended pre-season practices, including camp, and those who ran well under pressure.

Those candidates include, for the girls:  Andrea Smith, Erica Campos, Caitlin Winn, Cedes Vo, and Sarah Jeon.  And for the boys: Andrew Garza, Enrique Nava, Michael Palmer, and Jason Kim 

This year's Most Improved award goes to . . .

Boys: Andrew Garza

Girls: Caitlin Winn 

Most Inspirational
Selected only by the athletes, the "Most Inspirational Runner" award is given to the athlete who, in addition to a strong commitment to the team, displays and possesses an ability to motivate and inspire their teammates by their attitude and effort.  These are the athletes who help to keep the team focused and keep the environment around the team positive and upbeat.

The athletes who received votes are:  Krystal Gomez, Stephanie Felix, Jenna Pasillas, Sarah Jeon, Karina Gonzalez, and Caitlin Winn on the girl's team, and Enrique Nava, Dennis Ly, Mark Gillaspy, Matthew Campbell, Andrew Garza and Michael Palmer on the boy's team.

The winners are . . . .

Boys: Matthew Campbell

Girls: Jenna Pasillas

Excellence Awards
These special awards are presented by the coaches to the athletes who gave their best effort at all times during the preseason and regular season.  These are the athletes who have great attitudes, rarely complain and are known to their coaches for their hard work and perseverance.  They are the types of athletes that somehow get overlooked until they surprise everybody by their distinguished performances!  Most of these athletes were selected as "Runner of the Week" at some point during the season.

• Karina Gonzalez

• Miguel Franco

• Bianca Ceballos

• Enrique Nava

• Sarah Jeon

• Michael Palmer

• Tatiana Cortes

• Mark Gillaspy

• Lauren McIntyre

• Aaron Cordova

• Vincent Ha

Most Valuable JV Runner
This is a new award for the 2006 season.  Any team that expects to continue a tradition of success needs to cultivate and nurture all athletes, varsity and junior varsity.  We risk losing the most important element of the team if we fail to recognize the contributions made by the future varsity team. The athletes voted by their teammates to receive the "Most Valuable JV" award were consistently driven to do their best at all times.  In voting for this award, the team was asked to consider those runners who attended pre-season practices, those who ran well under pressure, and those who excelled in the "big races." 

The athletes whose efforts were acknowledged and who received votes are: Mateo Cordova, Greg Luna, Jason Kim, and Miguel Franco for the boys.  And, on the girls team: Cedes Vo, Erica Campos, Krystal Gomez, Taitana Cortes, Bianca Celballos, and Caitlin Winn.

The team voted to give the award to two deserving athletes; they are . . . .

Boys: Jason Kim

Girls: Krystal Gomez 

Most Valuable Runner
The athlete voted by their teammates to receive the "Most Valuable Runner" award proved to be the heart of the team throughout the long season that stretches from July through November.  These athletes were consistently among the top runners and usually recorded the fastest overall times.  In voting for this award, the team was asked to consider those runners who attended pre-season practices, those who ran well under pressure, and those who excelled in the big races. 

The athletes whose efforts were acknowledged and who received votes are: Andrew Garza, Andrew Bueno, and Michael Palmer.  And on the girls team: Karina Gonzalez, Melissa Byrd, Stephanie Felix, and Jenna Pasillas received votes. 

This season, the team overwhelmingly voted to give the award to two deserving athletes.  The winners are . . . .

Boys: Andrew Bueno

Girls: Stephanie Felix 

Coaches Awards
Everyone on the team is eligible for the coaches award.  It is given to the athletes who demonstrate consistency in Attendance, Attitude, Preparation, and Performance.  These are the runners who show a willingness to push their limits on a consistent basis, week after week.  They are also the most team oriented athletes and are committed to improving not only themselves, but all of their teammates.

The athletes who will receive this year's award participated in fund raisers, attended and completed 99% of all the workouts and practices, including camp, and demonstrated a passion and commitment for the sport that far exceeded expectations.

These are the types of athletes that make the La Mirada H.S. cross country team competitive at all levels.  We are honored to give this year's awards to . . . .

Boys: Mateo Cordova

Girls: Jenna Pasillas