Varsity Boys at Suburban League Finals

Boys

Tied for 3^rd place in league going into the race, juniors DAG TESFAYE (17:14) & ALEX FOSTER (17:35) and freshman NATHANIEL MOORE (17:18), led the boys to a come-from-behind surprise finish at the Suburban League Finals. After a 3 year drought that saw them finish with a 4 - 8 record each of the last 2 years, the boys achieved their goal of qualifying for the CIF championship series this season. In a hard fought race, the La Mirada team, far in back of the pack at the end of the first mile, came from behind and fell just 1 runner short of Artesia High School’s 2nd place team. A strong finish by freshman JARED BIRD and senior NEIL FLAIZ coming off of Reservoir Hill, clinched third place for the Matadores. The varsity seven also includes freshman CALVIN GUERRERO and senior JASON CABALITAN. With 4 freshmen making the trip to the next round of competition, the La Mirada boys hope this is the start of a new tradition!

Suburban League Champs Once Again!

S.F. Golden Gate Bridge

Girls

With a 20 second gap between their first and fifth runners, the undefeated Girl’s varsity team (15 - 0), led by GRETCHEN WITOWICH (20:29), placed 6 runners in the top ten as they scored a phenomenal 20 points in capturing their latest Suburban League title. The girls team, league champions in 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1999, had 5 runners finish the tough Mt. SAC course in under 21 minutes. Besides being their most solid race of the season, it was the best race ever on the Mt. SAC course by a girls team from La Mirada High School. Joining Gretchen on this years varsity team are: AMBER MORRISON, AMANDA STEPHENS, CHRISTINA BIRD, VANESSA THOMAS, AUDREY SERRATA and ALISA SANCHEZ.

In addition to their first place finish in league, the 2001 team traveled to San Francisco where they ran in the “Great Race of the Bay”, earned a 2^nd place award at the Roadrunner Classic, a 3^rd place award at the Central Park Invitational, and finished 4^th in their heat at the Mt. SAC invitational.

This will be the 9th consecutive year the Lady Mats have advanced to the CIF-SS prelims. The Girl’s Varsity record for the last 4 years is 43 - 5 (.896). During the last 9 years the lady Mats have accumulated an astounding 89 wins against only 9 losses (.908) in Suburban League competition. Well done!

The J.V. girls, paced by CRYSTAL HARE (21:02), stole the show by capturing the top ten spots in their race and earning an invincible 15 points! Finishing second through fifth and earning medals were JESSICA JORRIE, JOY JURE, CYNTHIA MATA and JACKIE MARTINEZ. Crystal and Jessica will join the varsity team for CIF competition.

For all the League Final Results, check here!