La Mirada High School

Summer Camp A Success!

In what many participants called "the best summer camp ever," the cross country teams spent seven nights and eight days training in the mountains around Big Bear Lake. Congratulations to the veterans and the first year runners who survived the intense workouts. Everybody returned home a bit more tired and a lot more excited about the upcoming season.

Over the course of the week the varsity girls ran an average of 65+ miles while the boys ran 80+ miles. Leading the way for the girls were Amanda Stephens, Jennifer Minero, and Ana Poblet who each compiled over 70 miles. On the boy's team, Dag Tesfaye, Nathaniel Moore and Jared Bird ran close to 100 miles each.

Running the many scenic trails around the valley turned out to be the core of the training for the week. Holcomb Valley, Castle Rock, 2N10, Gray's Peak, and the "Shack Loop" are now part of La Mirada Cross Country running stories.

The highlight of training was the 13-miler along route 2N10 that Nathaniel, Dag, Sergio, Freddy and Jared finished in under 1 hour 50 minutes. Ana, Jennifer, Amanda, Jackie, Marlene and Megan completed the 13-mile run for the girls.

Activities for the week included a movie day (Signs, XXX, Blue Crush, and Austin Powers), bowling, water slides, go-carts, fishing, ping-pong, basketball and numerous trips to the arcade to play pool and "Dance-Dance-Revolution." The many unforgettable moments included: Kevin dancing to Jake's guitar playing, eating around the campfire, Mark and Brian spending hundreds of quarters on "D-D-R," and secret late night "runs" to McD's.

Thanks to Andy and Bill Bird, Tom Palmer, Sam Cooley, Laura Casas, Nicole Reynolds and Norberta Martinez for transporting, taking care of and feeding 30 hungry athletes and coaches.

Click Here for camp pictures taken by Mr. Tom Palmer!