La Mirada High School

It’s Cross Country time again and the Matadores are bound for glory in 2007! Having just completed their pre-season training with the annual pre-season time trial, the group saw a number of individual and team PRs even though it's only May!

Girls: On the girls' side, there are many talented veterans with a proven record of success. The 2006 Lady Matadores recorded the best finish ever for a La Mirada team at CIF-SS prelims (Mt. SAC school team time record = 97:54). When combined with some of our newer athletes, there are 6 or 7 girls who are capable of running under 20 minutes every time out. Their biggest challenge will be to stick to their goals without tearing each other up in competition. If all the girls are healthy and on the same page, they can expect to take home a lot of first place awards and excel at the state meet.This year's team is led by All-State First Team athlete and Dream Team "Runner of the Year," Stephanie Felix. Stephanie (17:15 PR), a state finalist in cross country and track, gives the Lady Mats a true front runner and a legitimate candidate for a top 5 spot in state. Quickly moving up closer to their elite teammate, this year's chase pack is determined to show the cross country world that all of them belong at the top. Joining Stephanie up front are Suburban League Runner-up, Melissa Byrd (18:23 PR), and sophomore Lauren McIntyre (19:21 PR & 11:56 PR in the 3200). Melissa raced herself into CIF-SS Finals in 2006 and holds the #2 spot on the Lady Mats all-time list. Lauren is coming off of an outstanding track season that saw her set new freshman Matadores records in the 800 (2:27), 1600 (5:40) and 3200 (11:56). Rounding out this year's squad, and contending for a top seven spot, are Seniors Karina Gonzalez (19:00 PR & 2:23 PR in the 800),Sarah Jeon (20:11 PR & 12:22 PR in the 3200), Clarissa Negrete (20:11 PR), and Erica Campos. The class of 2009 is represented by Tatiana Cortez, (2:26 PR in the 800), and Bianca Ceballos.

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 six time defending League champs, they are tied for the Suburban League record of six consecutive league titles originally set by Norwalk High School from 1987 to 1992.

Tatiana, Bianca, Clarissa & Erica

Boys: On the boys side there is a smaller group of veterans with some very promising new athletes. We’ve never had quite the depth on the boy’s teams, but this season our boys are highly motivated and loaded with heart. Once the top seven solidifies, this group has the potential to be the fastest team in league. The front pack, led by Andrew Garza, Dennis Ly, and Mark Gillsapy, are running tighter than ever. At the "end of spring training" team time trial, their times were faster than the Jared Bird, Nathaniel Moore led teams of the 2002-2004 seasons. 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 2007 team includes Michael Palmer and Andrew Herrick, both of whom had outstanding track seasons. All in all, the boys' team seems to have all the components to make a push to the top.