La Mirada High School

The La Mirada Matadores faced their toughest challenge of the season this week against the Eagles from John Glenn High School. In the Varsity girls race, where the top 6 finishers completed the 3-mile course in less than 21 minutes, senior Audrey Serrata led from start to finish as she pushed herself to the limit against the Suburban League's 2^nd fastest runner. Finally able to pull away from the Glenn team at the 2-mile mark, Audrey won the race with a PR of 19:43. It was the 2^nd consecutive league race in which Audrey surprised a runner favored to win. The Lady Mats, now 8 - 0 on the season (4 - 0 in league), were able to overcome the strong Eagle team thanks to a brilliant record setting finish and another PR by freshman Destinie Martin (20:19) and a strong race by senior Vanessa Thomas (20:44). Ana Poblet (6^th place) and Jackie Martinez (7^th place) rounded out the scoring for the Matadores.

The Varsity boys went into the race needing a victory in order to keep pace in the Suburban League. A strong opening mile by freshman Ryan Holash, set the tone for a fast race. Sticking to the game plan, all seven runners crept their way up in front of their opponents. In the end it was sophomore Nathaniel Moore (16:28) racing to a very convincing victory for his team. It was an outstanding victory for the Matadores (3 - 1 in league, 6-2 overall), who cruised to a 22 - 34 win. Sophomores Jared Bird (16:41), and Daniel Lee (16:47) contributed greatly as they kept their teams score low with 3^rd and 4^th place finishes respectively. Rounding out the top 7, and all racing to new PR's were seniors Dag Tesfaye (17:06) and Ben Ramirez (17:22), sophomore Jake Cooley (17:40), and Ryan Holash (18:03). Both the girls JV team, led by Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse, and the boys JV team, led by Mario Perez, were also victorious.