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Week #10: CIF-SS Prelims
Stephanie Felix & Andrew Bueno
Week #9: League Finals
Erica Campos, Andrew Diaz, Enrique Nava and Karina Gonzalez: These 4 runners represented the heart and soul of the La Mirada team this season. Each of them set goals far beyond the "average" runner. Slowly they worked themselves into racing shape and then excelled at league finals.
Erica Campos fought for the top spot in the JV race from start to finish and PR’d by 3 minutes. When the race finished she was the League Runner-up and earned a spot on the CIF bound varsity team!
Ever since Karina Gonzalez joined the cross country team, her never-quit attitude has earned the respect of her teammates and coaches. Compared to the first two cluster meets, she was able to better her performance at League Finals and now owns the 4th spot on La Mirada’s elite list of runners at LM Park.
Enrique Nava "grew up" as a cross country runner this season and offered leadership and guidance to the young JV team. His PR at league finals led the JV team for the day.
Andrew Diaz fought back from illness and a turned ankle to challenge for the top spot in league. Although he fell a few seconds behind, his effort earned him the respect of the entire league.
Week #8: Apache Invitational
Destinie Martin: Destinie has made a huge turnaround in her training and racing this season.
- This season's senior captain and a 4-year varsity runner, Destinie Martin seems to always come through for her team in the big races. Last week she nailed every tough workout and followed it up with a great race at the Apache Invite. The only girl to run in every race this season, Destinie is an example of diligence and perseverance for the entire team. Well done Destinie!
Week #7: Mt. SAC Invitational
Michael Palmer & Sarah Jeon: Michael and Sarah had breakthrough races at Mt. SAC
This season, Michael Palmer has been one of the most consistent newcomers on the team. Never one to back-off or shy away from a tough workout, his hard work and effort paid off with a fine performance at Mt. SAC. It looks like Michael is pushing hard to earn the final varsity spot!
As much as Sarah Jeon wanted to train more this season, her coaches kept holding her back. With her early season injuries beginning to heal, it looks like Sarah is making a statement about her intentions for the post-season. A 27 second PR at Mt. SAC places her amongst the top runners from La Mirada High School on the difficult course. Great job!
Week #6: Cluster Meet #2
Krystal Gomez & Dennis Ly: Krystal and Dennis came through in a big way at the league cluster meet!
A rookie runner in his sophomore year, Dennis Ly worked hard over the summer to make the varsity team. Last week he trained with the Andrews (Bueno & Diaz)---the results were positive as he "matured" as a racer during the league race. His gritty performance showed the boys the type of determination the Matadores need if they hope to advance to the CIF-SS meet. It won’t be long before Dennis challenges for a top 10 spot in league!
In her two years on the team, Krystal Gomez has missed only a handful of workouts, never missed a race, and seldom complains. After making a last minute decision to sit out the Charger Invite, she came back for the league race and led her team to victory with a 2nd place finish! It was Krystal’s finest moment in a Matadores uniform—we’re certain it won’t be her last!
Week #5: Charger Invite
Erica Campos: To those who pay attention, Erica continues to show improvement every week
Working slow and steady, but always working,Erica Campos has decreased her PR by over 3 minutes this season. Last week, she nailed every workout and then had a top-notch performance at the Charger Invitational. Her hard work has not gone unnoticed and her coaches know she will continue to improve and contribute to the future of La Mirada Cross Country. Congratulations Erica!
Week #4: Cluster Meet #1, Warren-Stauffer Invite: Since there were lots of deserving candidates, this was a difficult week to choose a single "Runner of the Week." But, after poring over the books and evaluating each workout, we are happy to announce the "Runners of the Week" for this week are Adele Mata and Andrew Bueno.
A rookie, Andrew Bueno is a newcomer to the sport of cross country. He brings a refreshing attitude and a work-ethic that the entire team notices. He trained consistently all summer and approaches each race with drive and determination. With his performance at Warren-Stauffer, he earned the third spot on the list of elite La Mirada juniors. We look forward to a great future from Andrew.
Adele Mata has been the most consistent Lady Mat over the last three years. Even though she trains and races in pain, her coaches know that she is satisfied only with her best. Adele’s attitude and approach to racing is one reason the Lady Mats have been successful since she’s been on the team. With her race at Warren-Stauffer, she jumps to the sixth spot on the list of elite La Mirada juniors.
Week #3: Fall Classic at Huntington Beach Central Park
Stephanie Felix & Mark Gillaspy: Stephanie & Mark were the "poster children" for improved racing this week
- In only her 2nd invitational, Stephanie Felix raced Whitney Blue, the #2 girl in the State! Instead of backing down, Stephanie challenged Whitney over the entire 3-mile course and erased any doubt that she should be taken seriously in the Southern Section. Stephanie approaches each race with determination, drive, and a positive attitude. Her willingness to challenge the elite runners has been inspirational to her entire team. We look forward to a great future for this hard-working athlete.
- Mark Gillaspy had a point to make to his coaches this week. During his two years on the team, the coaches have been waiting for Mark to realize and race to his potential. This week he was determined to prove himself. Running in the F/S race, Mark earned a PR and moved into the #6 spot on the list of elite sophomores. He has his sights on the top spot and on racing varsity all season.
Week #2: Cal High-La Habra Tri-Meet
Lillian Mignella & Andrew Diaz:
Even though she is a rookie, Lillian continues to rise up the ladder to success. Even while struggling through a slight injury, her contributions to the team have not gone unnoticed and her effort has earned her faster times. She was the Lady Mat's 6th scorer at the tri-meet this week.
In his years on the team, Andrew has been a consistent model of a hard working athlete who follows the plan. His efforts over the first two weeks of the season have placed him in 4th place on the all-time senior list and 4th place on the all-time Matadore elite list. Week #1: Long Beach Invitational
Karina, the latest girl to break the 20 minute goal for the Matadores, bettered the Sophomore record set by Amanda Stephens in 2001. She struggled through her first complete summer of distance training, but managed to overcome her self-doubt and established herself as a key piece of the 2005 team. Her effort on Saturday moves her into the "Top 10" on the list of elite Matadores runners. Great job Karina!
Matthew began to train consistently towards the end of the summer and has shown vast improvement since then. His workouts have been on target, and his effort shows that he is determined to earn a varsity uniform. We look forward to his success!
Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
September 2005 | “Dynamic Stretches” every day | |||||
Phase #3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
| 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 1 |
Summer Training Camp in Big Bear a Success!
(Camp Pictures Posted Here!)
In what many participants called "the best summer camp ever," the cross country teams spent seven nights and eight days training in the mountains around Big Bear Lake. Congratulations to both the veterans and the first year runners who survived the intense workouts. Everybody returned home a bit more tired and a lot more excited about the upcoming season. Over the course of the week the varsity girls ran an average of 65+ miles while the boys ran 70+ miles. Leading the way for the girls were Destinie Martin, Jenna Pasillas, and Stephanie Felix who each compiled over 65 miles. On the boy's team Andrew Diaz and Andrew Bueno ran close to 75 miles each. Running the many scenic trails around the valley turned out to be the core of the training for the week. Holcomb Valley, "Stairway to Heaven", 2N10, the Woodland Trail, and the "Shack Loop" are now part of La Mirada Cross Country running lore. Even though Stephanie was the winner of the 5th Annual Boys vs Girls dual meet (20:04 on the 5k course), thanks to an inspiring finish by Dennis, the boys came out ahead with a 26 - 29 victory and now trail the series 3 - 2. The highlight of training was the 10 to 13-miler along route 2N10 that Andrew and Andrew finished in under 1 hour 35 minutes. Destinie and Jenna completed the 13-mile run for the girls, while Stephanie, Karina, Andrea and Erica were held to 10 miles. Adele Mata ran the course so fast that she passed her stopping point before the lead bike got there to tell her to stop---she ended up completing 9 miles instead of 5. Activities for the week included the 2nd Annual Lip-Sync contest, a movie day, "True Colors," bowling, water slides, the SCAT test, go-carts, ping-pong, basketball, volleyball, a pizza eating contest and numerous trips to the arcade. The many unforgettable moments included: Andrew Diaz and his love for duct tape, Ollie Lynch on the volleyball court, Andres getting taken down playing b-ball, Chelsea and Lillian on "Dance-Dance-Revolution," and secret late night "runs" to Jacks.
(Camp Agenda Posted Here)
Sunday |
Monday | Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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August 2005 |
"Dynamic Stretches" every day |
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1 Team Meeting! |
2 AM: Varsity |
3 Legg Lake |
4 Hills @ Clark Park |
5 AM: Varsity LCD @ Laguna Lake |
6
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7 Leave for Camp! |
8 Camp Tanda |
9 Camp Tanda |
10 Camp Tanda |
11 Camp Tanda |
12 Camp Tanda |
13 Camp Tanda |
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14 Return from Camp! |
15 Team Meeting! |
16
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17 AM: LCD |
18 Schabarum Park |
19
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20 Huntington Beach |
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21 Phase #3 GV: 5 miles BV: 8 miles |
22 AM: Mile repeats |
23
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24 AM: LCD |
25
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26 Biola Trail |
27
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28 Phase #3 GV: 6 miles BV: 8 miles |
29 AM: Mile repeats Team Meeting! |
30
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31 AM: LCD |
1 Clark Park |
2
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3 Annual Time Trail & Team Breakfast |
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