Pre-Season Preview

Announcement

Pre-Season Preview

Posted by Ralph Casas on Jun 09 2008 at 05:00PM PDT

There are many ways to measure success in the pre-season: Reclaiming one's position on the team, running longer or further than before, or completing what was once a difficult workout and realizing how strong you feel. Sometimes, the simple act of leaving the confined spaces of the track and running on the open trails is enough to make a cross country athlete remember the glory days of fall. For most distance runners, who tend to measure their success by their performances, all it takes to get excited about an upcoming season is a really strong showing against a relentless opponent: the clock. At their annual pre-season time trial, La Mirada's girls team, led by Celinda Manzo and Melissa Byrd, showed signs that they're ready to make huge strides this season. Overall, a pack of Lady Mats with just over a 90-second gap set a pre-season team-time record that, when extrapolated to a 3-mile course, puts them under 1:40 going into the summer. But the biggest surprise of the day wasn't the overall team time or the two leaders. Running relentlessly, the THIRD member of the team to finish was junior Olivia Crigler, whose work-ethic and determination have been praised by all of her teammates.

BOYS: The 2007 contest was the closest Suburban League competition ever. This season the Matadores -- despite graduating two senior members from the varsity team -- are prepared to make a difference in league. Two factors give the boys high hopes for 2008: strong recruits from track, and the knowledge that the front pack, led by Andrew Garza (PR = 16:34), Michael Palmer (PR = 16:49), and Regan Garcia (PR = 18:01) is running stronger than ever. In fact, it's going to be tough for other teams to break them up! With a new found dedication to success up and down the roster, the boys are eager to show the rest of the cross-country world they are serious about climbing to the top. Besides the top 3, the 2008 team will include 2nd year varsity members Richard Marquez (PR = 17:32) and Andrew Herrick (PR = 17:47), both of whom had outstanding track seasons, and 2nd-year runner, Frankie Nogales. Nogales surprised even himself with his outstanding performance at the recent time trail, making him the current, all-important 6th man on the squad. All in all, the boys seem to have all the components to make a push to the top.

Richard, Andrew, & Frank

Andrew, Michael, & Regan
GIRLS: Bidding farewell to the premier athlete in school history is never easy; and to make matters worse, THREE graduating seniors -- Stephanie Felix, Sarah Jeon, and Clarissa Negrete -- are all amongst the La Mirada elite. Fortunately, the Lady Mats learned the hard way last season that they have the potential to be as competitive as ever. Racing without Stephanie, the 2007 team placed 6 girls in the top 10 at League Finals and scored a record low 17 points on their way to an unprecedented 7th consecutive league title. In 2008, there are 6 or 7 girls who are capable of running under 20 minutes every time out. Their biggest challenge will be to convince themselves that they are just as dominant without the departing seniors.

The 2008 team will be led by Suburban League Champion, Lauren McIntyre (18:43 PR & 11:56 PR in the 3200) and League Runner-up Melissa Byrd (18:23 PR). Quickly moving up the ladder of success to join Melissa and Lauren are Freshmen Celinda Manzo (19:57 PR & 12:19 PR in the 3200) and Ashley Casanover (19:25 PR). This year's pack of four is determined to make onlookers forget the success of last year's team. Melissa raced herself into CIF-SS Finals in 2006 and holds the #2 spot on the Lady Mats all-time list. Celinda and Lauren are coming off outstanding track seasons that saw them both qualify for CIF-SS prelims in the 1600 and 3200. On the way, Celinda set a new freshman Matadores record in the 1600 (5:27). Rounding out this year's squad, and contending for a top seven spot, are a trio of Lady Mats who earned varsity letters in 2007: Valerie Wong, Aja Labasan, and Paulina Tapia. Even though their primary goal is to attain a spot on the starting line at Clovis in November, the girls know they have their work cut out for them in a competitive Suburban League. As seven time defending League champs, their goal of keeping the streak alive is secondary to their need to show others that they have what it takes to continue to dominate!