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Posted by Ralph Casas at Nov 20, 2005 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Alumni Page:  Check here to find out the who, where, what and how about your favorite La Mirada High School Cross Country Alumnus. Grads: Submit your current information or anything you would like the team to know about you to: rcasas@aol.com

  • Melissa Anderson, 1998: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cross Country

  • Christina Bird, 2002: Point Loma Nazarene University, Cross Country

  • Jared Bird, 2005: Biola University, Cross Country

  • Alexis Boyd, 1995: New Mexico State University (2 years) & Cal State Fullerton

  • Jimi Boyd, 1998: Cerritos College

  • Andrew Bueno, 2007: U.S. Air Force

  • Megan Burbidge, 2005: Biola University

  • Trina Burch, 2001: Cerritos College

  • Jason Cabalitan, 2002: Rio Hondo College

  • Andres Casas, 1998: Cal State Fullerton, Asst. Coach, La Mirada High School Cross Country & Track (2003-08)

  • Mark Casas, 2005: Fullerton College

  • Matthew Casas, 2001: Cerritos College

  • Jeff Connell, 2000: Cerritos College

  • Brian Crosser, 1999: Cerritos College, Cross Country (2 years)

  • Elijah De Rojas, 2005: Cerritos College

  • Stephanie Felix, 2008: Loyola Marymount University, Cross Country & Track

  • Neil Flaiz, 2001: Saddleback College

  • Josh Gale, 2001

  • Brian Gardner, 2000: U.S. Army

  • Tawny Gardner, 1998, UC Irvine

  • Max Garnica, 2004: Asst. Coach, La Mirada H.S. Cross Country

  • Cindy Hackler, Western State University of Law

  • Andre Kelly, 1998: University of Southern California, Track & Field (1 year) Track & Field (2001, 2002)

  • Crystal Hare, 2002: Fullerton Community College, Cross Country

  • Sarah Jeon, 2008: West Point

  • Joy Jure, 2003, Cal State, Fullerton, Kinesiology (2007), Asst. Coach, La Mirada H.S. Cross Country

  • Sonia Linares, 2005: Cerritos College, Cross Country

  • Sarah Makshanoff, 2001: Cerritos College

  • Emily Maldonado, 1994: Biola University, Cross Country (4 years)

  • Suzanne Maldonado, 1996: Cal Poly, Pomona

  • Destinie Martin, 2006: Biola University

  • Jackie Martinez, 2004: Cerritos College

  • Cynthia Mata, 2004: Cal State, Long Beach

  • Esteban Meza, 1996: Fullerton College

  • Jennifer Minero, 2003: Cerritos College, Cross Country

  • Nathaniel Moore, 2005: Fullerton College, Cross Country

  • Amber Morrison, 2002: Cal State, Long Beach

  • Daisy Munoz, 2002: Cerritos College, Cross Country

  • Tara Palmer, 2004: UCLA (2008)

  • Jenna Pasillas, 2007: Holy Names University, Cross Country

  • Ana Poblet, 2005: Chapman University, Cross Country, 1-year

  • Freddy Ramirez, 2005: Cerritos College, Asst. Coach, La Mirada High School Cross Country

  • James Rifilato, 1997: Fullerton College (1999), U.S. Air Force

  • Alisa Sanchez, 2002: Carleton College (2006), Fulbright Fellowship, 2007 Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship

  • Audrey Serrata, 2003: Cal State, Fullerton, Cross Country

  • Jackie Serrata, 2004: Cal State, Chico

  • Chris Siefert, 1996. (Ran in 1993) U.S. Navy, currently stationed in Naples Italy. Email address: calialpha2003@yahoo.com

  • Christopher Simmons, 1996: US Army, Fullerton College (2000), Santa Rosa College (2004)

  • Andrea Smith, 2007: Whittier College, Soccer

  • Amanda Stephens, 2004: Biola University, (2008) Cross Country

  • Andy Sutherland, 1998, U.S. Navy

  • Nick Sutherland, 1999: Mt. SAC, Cross Country (1 year)

  • Tamar Tatoyan, 2003: Cal State, Fullerton (2007)

  • Vanessa Thomas, 2003: Cal State, Fullerton

  • Cali Vincelet, 2000: Snails Pace, Brea

  • Josh Vincelet, 1997: Asst. Coach, La Mirada High School Cross Country, 2001

  • Natalie Walls, 2001: Cypress College

  • Mercy Wedi, 2001: Cerritos College, Track & Field and Cross Country

  • Tyler Whalen, 2001: Stevens Technical Institute, New Jersey (Volleyball)

  • Jarod Winn, 2005: Biola University

  • Gretchen Witowich, 2002: Cal State, Long Beach (Cross Country), (2006)

  • Yelena Zavala, 1998: Fullerton Community College, Cross Country (2 years)

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Posted by Ralph Casas at Nov 19, 2005 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Girls Fastest Times at La Mirada Regional Park

2005 So Stephanie Felix 17:51 Suburban League Finals (San Gabriel Valley Course)
2006 Jr Stephanie Felix 17:51 Suburban League Finals

(en route to a time of

18:06 on a 3.05 mile course)
2009 Fr Taylor Jones 18:45 Suburban League Cluster Meet #2 (Biola Course)
2006 So Melissa Byrd 19:06 Suburban League Finals

(en route to a time of

19:21 on a 3.05 mile course)
2009 Jr Celinda Manzo 19:07 Suburban League Cluster Meet #2 (Biola Course)
2003 Sr Amanda Stephens 19:16 Suburban League Finals (Roadrunner Course)
1982 Sr Sheila Jordan 19:39 Suburban League Finals
2005 So Karina Gonzalez 19:42 Suburban League Finals (San Gabriel Valley Course)
2002 Sr Audrey Serrata 19:43 Glenn Course
2004 Sr Sonia Linares 19:53 Roadrunner Classic
2009 Jr Ashley Casanover 19:56 Suburban League Cluster Meet #2 (Biola Course)
2003 Jr Ana Poblet 19:58 Suburban League Finals (Roadrunner Course)
1999 Jr Mercy Wedi 20:17 Suburban League Finals
2003 So Destinie Martin 20:18 Suburban League Finals (Roadrunner Course)
2004 So Erica Sandoval 20:19 Roadrunner Classic
2009 Fr Emily De Boer 20:23 Suburban League Cluster Meet #2 (Biola Course)
1993 Sr Emily Maldonado 20:23 Roadrunner Classic
2009 So Nicole Hammonds 20:24 Suburban League Cluster Meet #2 (Biola Course)
2005 Jr Adele Mata 20:24 Suburban League Finals (San Gabriel Valley Course)
1999 Sr Cali Vincelet 20:25 Suburban League Finals
1997 Sr Tawney Gardner 20:25 Suburban League Finals
1995 So Melissa Anderson 20:27 Roadrunner Classic
1999 Jr Shannon O'Donnell 20:28 Suburban League Finals
2008 Jr Lauren McIntyre 20:34 Suburban League Finals
2006 Jr Sarah Jeon 20:35 Suburban League Finals

(en route to a time of

20:52 on a 3.05 mile course)
1986 Fr Leslee Rogers 20:37 Suburban League Finals
2008 Jr Paulina Tapia 20:38 Suburban League Cluster Meet #1 (Biola Course)
2001 Sr Gretchen Witowich 20:38 LM vs Norwalk (Roadrunner Course)


Boys Fastest Times at La Mirada Regional Park
1996 Sr Josh Vincelet 15:55 Bellflower (La Mirada Course)
1994 Sr Brad Balaben 15:56 Suburban League Finals
2003 Jr Jared Bird 16:02 Roadrunner Classic
2005 Sr Andrew Diaz 16:08 Suburban League Finals (San Gabriel Valley Course)
1989 Sr Chris Perez 16:10 Suburban League Finals
1995 Sr Esteban Meza 16:16 Roadrunner Classic
2002 So Nathaniel Moore 16:28 Glenn/Artesia (Glenn Course)
1981 Henry Guzman 16:30 Suburban League Finals
2009 Jr Regan Garcia 16:31 Suburban League Cluster Meet #2 (Biola Course)
2006 Sr Andrew Bueno 16:33 Suburban League Finals

(en route to a time of

16:46 on a 3.05 mile course)
2000 Sr Aaron Alvarez 16:37 Artesia/Glenn (La Mirada Course)
1996 Sr Bruno Daltro 16:37 Glenn (La Mirada Course)
2002 So Daniel Lee 16:47 Glenn/Artesia (Glenn Course)
2008 Sr Andrew Garza 16:45 Suburban League Finals
2003 So Ryan Holash 16:52 Suburban League Finals
2005 So Michael Palmer 16:59 Suburban League Finals

(en route to a time of

17:12 on a 3.05 mile course)
2008 So Regan Garcia 17:01 Suburban League Cluster Meet #1
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2005: CIF-SS Finals

Posted by Ralph Casas at Nov 18, 2005 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )


(Link to Long Beach Press Telegram Story About Stephanie)

Start of Girls Division II Race -- Stephanie on the far left (Bill Leung Photos)
Link to video of the race

CIF_Finals_begins
And they're off! Sperry, Felix, Murphy, Tarver & Blue lead the way

CIF_FinalsValley
The Front Pack already starts to make a move

CIF_Felix_Sperry_VoylesStephanie's race plan was simple: hang back the first mile and stay with the second pack until the switchbacks. At that point get to the front of the second pack and close the gap on the leaders. She worked it to perfection. Around the loop, Stephanie, Anna Sperry and Markie Voyles ran a 2:35 for the first 800 meters and 5:16 for the first mile. Unlike last week, when she fell behind on the switchbacks, Felix was able to keep get ahead of the other two runners and entered the runway heading to poop-out hill in 4th place with a respectable time of 9:28, just 20 seconds behind the front pack of Kauren Tarver (Serrano HS), Whitney Blue (Newport Harbor HS) and Kevyn Murphy (Mira Costa HS).

After poop-out, Felix clocked in at 11:53 for 2-miles. On the backside of reservoir hill she maintained the fourth spot and reached the summit of the grueling hill at 15:05 minutes --- 20 seconds faster then her first race at Mt. SAC and right on target for the day. Coming down the steep hill on the far side of reservoir, Simi Valley HS runner, Anna Sperry, overtook Felix and finished the race in 4th place. Sperry was among the top five finishers in the CIF Division I State Meet in 2004.

Approaching the finish, Stephanie knew that the only way to guarantee a trip to the State Meet was to finish in the top five. Under the format for qualifying, the top seven teams advance to the state meet at Woodward Park in Fresno next Saturday along with the top five individuals not on a qualifying team. Turning onto the runway heading to the finish, Stephanie was right behind Markie Voyles of Don Lugo HS and running with Christine Babcock of Woodbridge HS, each one of them vying for the fifth spot. Under normal circumstances, Stephanie, with her 400 meter training, would easily out-kick the others. It was not to be, however, and Felix finished the 2.91 mile race in 7th place, 8 seconds behind Voyles. Until the finish, she followed the plan to perfection and actually had her best race of the year. The video of the race on dyestatcal.com reveals just how close the race really was. Stephanie was in it until the end.

CIF_Felix_SperryBut, because she did not finish in the top five spots, the only way for Stephanie to advance to the state meet would be if at least two of the girls who finished ahead of her advanced with their teams. A quick glance at the teams in contention gave her some hope: Babcock represented Woodbridge HS, 3rd ranked all season and a school that had advanced to the State Meet at least 12 times since the inaugural event in 1987 and 10 years in a row. Tarver was from Serrano HS, the 3rd place team in 2004 and the 4th seeded team in the race. Blue's Newport Harbor HS team was the #1 ranked team in the race. And Murphy's Mira Costa team had been ranked in the top ten most of the season. Sperry and Voyles were the only runners entered as individuals who finished the race ahead of Felix. Only two of the teams needed to come through for Stephanie to become the first runner from La Mirada High School to race at the State Meet. Besides, in Division II, no individual finishing as high as 7th place with a time of 18:05 had ever failed to advance. Her chances looked good.

Just before the Awards Ceremony was to begin, the "Official Results" were released. Stephanie's coach took her aside---away from the team---and delivered the news. Newport Harbor won the race; but, neither Woodbridge, Serrano nor Mira Costa had advanced as a team. Stephanie was the 6th individual finisher and did not qualify to move on to the next level.

Even though her tears of disappointment were a natural response, Stephanie Felix's season was not a failure. The races she ran, the records she set and the excitement she brought to her team were remarkable achievements for a first year runner.

Of the 11 races she ran, she won 8 and came in 2nd place once and 3rd place once; she set grade level or overall course records 8 times; she was named area "Athlete of the Week" four times, is the 2005 Suburban League Champion and is the first Cross Country runner from La Mirada High School to be named to the "All CIF" Team. Her times of 17:15 at Warren-Stauffer, 17:51 at La Mirada Regional Park and 18:05 at Mt. SAC are La Mirada High School records that will likely be broken only by Stephanie. All-in-all, Stephanie came closer to qualifying for the State meet than any previous runner from La Mirada High School. Along the way she established herself as the premier distance runner in Matadores history.

All of her teammates and coaches salute Stephanie Felix for her outstanding and inspirational performances this season. Her contributions helped to make the 2005 season Simply the Best.

Dyestatcal.com comments regarding the State Meet:

CIF_stephanie_KLee
Kirby Lee Photo

"Heck of a year!! Sitting at home from tough Southern Section Division II
Stephanie Felix (La Mirada)
Why not open up a can of worms with "at-large" individuals!!"

and more . . . (from Doug Speck)
"Sad that there is not some "at-large" provision for top individuals who are left out of the State meet. Stephanie Felix of La Mirada raced 18:05 last weekend at Mt. SAC and would have been very competitive for the awards stand here."
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2005: Stephanie Felix Advances to CIF-SS Finals

Posted by Ralph Casas at Nov 11, 2005 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

CIF-SS Division II Prelims


Kevyn Murphy, Stephanie Felix & Kauren Tarver
Tarver was the #1 girl in Division II in 2004


Stephanie finished with a school record time of 18:06
Doug Speck Photo

For only the second time in La Mirada High School history, an athlete has advanced to the CIF-SS Finals meet for Cross Country. Stephanie Felix, running on the Mt. SAC course for the first time, ran an opening mile of 5:22 as she challenged Kauren Tarver of Serrano High School and Kevyn Murphy of Mira Costa High School for the top spot. Stephanie fell off pace coming out of the switchbacks and reached the second mile 12 minutes into the 2.91 mile race. She ultimately completed the course in third place with a time of 18:05.

Overall, Felix was the sixth fastest girl in Division II and the 13th fastest girl of the day. The last athlete to race at CIF-SS finals for the Matadores was Emily Maldonado, in 1993, who raced in the Division III race.

Stephanie will compete Saturday morning at 9:45 a.m. in the CIF-SS Division II Finals race as she attempts to become the first athlete from La Mirada High School to advance to the State Championship race in Fresno.

Girls fall short of their goal for the day
Destinie Martin, Karina Gonzalez, Adele Mata, and Jenna Pasillas were convinced things would be different this time. As seasoned runners, they had experienced competition at this level many times and were determined to take the next step this season and advance to CIF-SS Finals.

When Heat #4 of the Division II races began, the Lady Mats found themselves in good position with a nice pack of four runners placing themselves behind the front pack at opening mile paces between 6:04 and 6:10.

Unfortunately, the girls were unable to maintain their positions on the switchbacks and ultimately fell back into 7th place with a team time of 1:42:06 (a school record for the Mt. SAC course.)

GV_start_CIF
Division II Heat 4 --- Beginning of the Race with Stephanie, Destinie, Sarah, Karina & Adele in the front pack

This year's trip to the championship meet represents the 20th consecutive year the Lady Mats have advanced to the CIF-SS prelims race only to be turned away. Adele Mata and Andrea Smith ran their PRs for the difficult course with times of 20:42 and 22:50 respectively.

For the young Matadores team, it was a disheartening way to end what was the best season in school history. But, with the loss of only one varsity member, the girls are confident they will remember the many valuable lessons they learned over the course of the 2005 season and are united in their quest to achieve their goal of getting to the State meet with Stephanie in 2006.

Boys Climb out of the Cellar as they Learn About CIF Competition
The boys team raced in the Division II heat that turned out to be the fastest heat of the day. Senior, Andrew Diaz, challenged the front pack early but fell off pace and finished with a time of 16:42. For a moment, it appeared that the boys place last in their race, but they were able to move up together as a pack and earn a higher spot as they finished 13th in their race.

For rookies Andrew Bueno, Dennis Ly and Daniel Diaz, and Freshmen, Michael Palmer and Jason Kim, CIF was a valuable lesson they hope translates into a more successful 2006 season. With Mark Gillaspy and Matthew Campbell healed and ready to run, the boys are confident they will be faster and stronger in 2006.

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SUBURBAN LEAGUE FINALS: Girls Varsity

Posted by Ralph Casas at Nov 2, 2005 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments ) 
Cerritos High School                                       Hy-Tek's Meet Manager
                       Suburban League Finals - 11/3/2005                        
                                   League Meet                                   
                             La Mirada Regional Park                             
                              Last Completed Event                                
Event 3  Girls 4837 Meter Run CC
Team Rankings                                  
=================================================================================
Rank Team             	C1	C2	LF	TOTAL    
=================================================================================
1. La Mirada 		6	6	12	24
2. Cerritos		4	3	10	17
3. Norwalk		5	4	8	17
4. Mayfair		3	5	6	14
5. Bellflower		2	2	4	8
6. John Glenn		0	1	2	3
7. Artesia			0	0	0	0


=======================================================================          
    Name                    Year School                  Finals  Points          
=======================================================================          
  1 Felix, Stephanie          10 La Mirada             17:51.00    1    * Course Record         
  2 Cos, Jessika              12 Norwalk               19:24.00    2             
  3 Rogers, Kristina          10 Mayfair               19:40.00    3             
  4 Gonzalez, Karina          10 La Mirada             19:42.00    4             
  5 Villegas, Daniela          9 Cerritos              20:03.00    5             
  6 Cooper, Kimberly          11 Cerritos              20:09.00    6             
  7 Cerda, Victoria           11 Cerritos              20:20.00    7             
  8 Mata, Adele               11 La Mirada             20:24.00    8             
  9 Martin, Destinie          12 La Mirada             20:32.00    9             
 10 Navarro, Michelle          9 Mayfair               20:36.00   10             
 11 Alvarado, Bree            10 Mayfair               20:38.00   11             
 12 Felix, Adrianna           10 Norwalk               20:41.00   12             
 13 Montoya, Jennifer         10 Norwalk               20:47.00   13             
 14 Jeon, Sarah               10 La Mirada             20:55.00   14             
 15 Pasillas, Jenna           11 La Mirada             20:58.00   15             
 16 Widman, Kelsey            10 Mayfair               21:03.00   16             
 17 Delgado, Stephanie        12 Norwalk               21:05.00   17             
 18 Kim, Caroline             10 Cerritos              21:29.00   18             
 19 Garcia, Allison              Bellflower            21:45.00   19             
 20 Barbosa, Maribel          12 Norwalk               21:52.00   20             
 21 Wang, Tina                11 Cerritos              22:10.00   21             
 22 Torres, Kristen           12 Cerritos              22:11.00   22             
 23 Vasquez, Melissa             John Glenn            22:19.00   23             
 24 Perez, Susan              10 Norwalk               22:25.00   24             
 25 Quezada, Jasmine           9 Mayfair               22:35.00   25             
 26 Negrete, Clarissa         10 La Mirada             22:40.00   26             
 27 Baek, Sara                11 Cerritos              22:44.00   27             
 28 Duran, Priscilla             Bellflower            22:48.00   28             
 29 Turner, Megan              9 Mayfair               23:16.00   29             
 30 Luna, Linda                  Bellflower            23:18.00   30             
 31 Capellito, Ashley            Bellflower            23:41.00   31             
 32 Navarro, Valeria             John Glenn            24:00.00   32             
 33 Vasquez, Debora              John Glenn            24:17.00   33             
 34 Hernandez, Cheyenne          John Glenn            24:55.00   34             
 35 Thompson, Melissa            Bellflower            24:59.00   35             
 36 Cuxum, Mitzy                 John Glenn            25:44.00   36             
 37 Griffin, Sarah            10 Mayfair               25:59.00   37             
 38 Lopez, Anai               11 Norwalk               28:08.00   38             
 39 Velasco, Maritza             Artesia               29:18.00   39             
 40 Rios, Maria                  Bellflower            30:49.00   40             
 41 Rodriguez, Melissa           Artesia               31:27.00   41             
 42 Extra, Female 5              Artesia               31:43.00   42             
 43 Velasco, Yliana              Artesia               31:44.00   43             
 44 			         Artesia                            
                                                                                 
                                   Team Scores                                   
=================================================================================
Rank Team                      Total    1    2    3    4    5   *6   *7   *8   *9
=================================================================================
   1 La Mirada                    36    1    4    8    9   14   15   26          
      Total Time:  1:39:24.00                                                    
         Average:    19:52.80                                                    
   2 Cerritos                     57    5    6    7   18   21   22   27          
      Total Time:  1:44:11.00                                                    
         Average:    20:50.20                                                    
   3 Norwalk                      64    2   12   13   17   20   24   38          
      Total Time:  1:43:49.00                                                    
         Average:    20:45.80                                                    
   4 Mayfair                      65    3   10   11   16   25   29   37          
      Total Time:  1:44:32.00                                                    
         Average:    20:54.40                                                    
   5 Bellflower                  143   19   28   30   31   35   40               
      Total Time:  1:56:31.00                                                    
         Average:    23:18.20                                                    
   6 John Glenn                  158   23   32   33   34   36                    
      Total Time:  2:01:15.00                                                    
         Average:    24:15.00                                                    
   7 Artesia                           39   41   42   43                       
      Total Time:                                                     
         Average:

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