News and Announcements
Jared Bird Named 2005 La Mirada High School MVP
Freshman
For the 3rd consecutive year, a Cross Country athlete shared the La Mirada HS Athlete of the Year award. Jared Bird follows Audrey Serrata (2003) and Amanda Stephens (2004) as co-recipient of the MVP honor. The award was presented to Bird by Kim Brooks, athletic director, at the annual Senior Tea on June 19, 2005. Jared earned 8 varsity letters in Cross Country and Track & Field while at La Mirada High School. His accomplishments include:
Cross Country: Varsity Letter; 3rd place all-time freshman
Track & Field: Varsity Letter
Sophomore Year:
Cross Country: Varsity Letter; 2nd place all-time sophomore
Track & Field: Varsity Letter; CIF-SS Participant (3200)
Junior Year:
Cross Country: Varsity Letter; School Record; 1st place all-time junior; Suburban League All League
Track & Field: Varsity Letter; CIF-SS Participant (1600 & 3200)
Senior Year:
Cross Country: Varsity Letter; Suburban League All-League (2nd Place); 3rd Place all time boys record; "Most Valuable Runner"; School Record – Mt. SAC
Track & Field: Varsity Letter; 1600 – League Champ; 3200 – League Champ; "Most Valuable Athlete"
To summarize, Jared earned 8 varsity letters, received Cross Country "All League" honors on two occasions, was League Champion two times in Track and Field, and advanced to the CIF championship level 7 times. Jared will attend Biola University in the fall where he will compete for the college's cross country team. The entire La Mirada High School Cross Country team extends a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Jared Bird!
Is this what team captains do in their spare time?
At their last meeting, the captains outlined plans for the 2005 summer training program. Activities, races, training and summer camp are all included in their plans. When summer training begins, each captain will be responsible for and work closely with a specific group of runners. Stay tuned for more!
The 2004 Teams:
Girls Varsity:
League Champs in 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004
The 2004 girl's team captured their 4th consecutive Suburban League Title and advanced to CIF for the 19th consecutive year.
Boys Varsity
Suburban League: 2nd Place
Girls Junior Varsity
Suburban League: 2nd Place
Boys Junior Varsity
2004 Cross Country Team Achievements:
Head Coach: Ralph Casas
Boys Coach: Andres Casas
Girls Coach: Amanda Paulson
Captains:
Ana Poblet, Megan Burbidge & Kelly Wilson
Jared Bird & Jim Palmer
Varsity Boys:
Varsity Girls: League Champs in 1986, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004
J.V. Girls:
Rookie of the Year
The "Rookie of the Year" is selected by coaches and athletes. It is awarded to the freshman or new runner whose effort and ability enabled them to excel above and beyond what is routinely expected of a Rookie. This year’s group of new runners is outstanding and includes many athletes who worked hard and are deserving of the award.
The stand outs—and the runners who received votes—are Krystal Gomez, Karina Gonzalez, Katrina Drake, Clarissa Negrete and Lindsay Bird on the girls team.
And on the boys team: Sean O’Donnell, Gonzales David, Joe Buck, Enrique Nava, Keven Ellsworth, Matthew Campbell, Kevin Andrews, and Mik Calandrino
The winners are . . .
- Boys: Joe Buck, Kevin Andrews
- Girls: Karina Gonzalez
Most Improved
Voted on by athletes and coaches, the "Most Improved Runner" award is presented to the 2nd or 3rd year runner whose work ethic throughout the season at practices and races resulted in significant improvements in times and multiple PR’s. This year a large number of runners improved their times, received votes and are eligible for the award.
They include for the girls: Megan Burbidge, Ana Poblet, Kristen Kimball, Andrea Smith, Adele Mata and Sonia Linares
And for the boys: Jim Palmer, Kevin Osborn, Elijah De Rojas, Mark Casas, Jarod Winn and Andrew Diaz
The winners are . . .
- Boys: Andrew Diaz
- Girls: Andrea Smith
Most Inspirational
Selected only by the athletes, the "Most Inspirational Runner" award is given to the athlete who, in addition to a strong commitment to the team, displays and possesses an ability to motivate and inspire their teammates by their attitude and effort. These are the athletes who help to keep the team focused and keep environment around the team positive and upbeat.
The athletes who received votes are:
Erica Sandoval, Megan Burbidge, Krystal Gomez, Kelly Wilson and Ana Poblet and on the girls team, and Jared Bird, Jim Palmer, Freddy Ramirez, Nathaniel Moore and Enrique Nava on the boys team.
The winners are . . . .
- Boys: Freddy Ramirez
Excellence Awards
These special awards are presented by the coaches to the athletes who gave their best effort at all times during the preseason and regular season. These are the athletes who have great attitudes, rarely complain and are known to their coaches for their hard work and perseverance. They are the types of athletes that somehow get overlooked until they surprise everybody by their distinguished performances! Many of these runners were selected as "Runners of the Week" at some point during the season.
- Lindsay Bird
- Matthew Campbell
- Kevin Osborn
- Destinie Martin
- Adele Mata
- Nathaniel Moore
- Sean O'Donnell
- Jenna Pasillas
- Ana Poblet
- Erica Sandoval
- Kelly Wilson
Most Valuable Runner
The athlete voted by their teammates to receive the "Most Valuable Runner" Award proved to be the "heart" of the team throughout the long season that stretches from July until November. These athletes were consistently among the top runners and usually recorded the fastest overall times. In voting for this award, the team was asked to consider those runners who attended pre-season practices, those who ran well under pressure, and those who excelled in the "big races."
The finalists on the girls team are:
Jenna Pasillas, Sonia Linares, Erica Sandoval, Destinie Martin & Ana Poblet
Boys finalists include:
Jared Bird, Nathaniel Moore, Jarod Winn & Kevin Osborn
The winners are . . . .
- Boys: Jared Bird
- Girls: Sonia Linares
Coaches Awards
Everyone on the team is eligible for the coaches award. It is given to the athletes who demonstrate consistency in Attendance, Attitude, Preparation, and Performance. These are the runners who show a willingness to push their limits to the extreme, and a commitment to improving not only themselves, but to improving the entire team.
The athletes who received this years award participated in all fund raisers, attended and completed 99% of all the workouts and practices, and demonstrated a passion and commitment for the sport that far exceeded expectations.
These are the types of athletes that make the La Mirada H.S. cross country team competitive at all levels. We are honored to confer this years awards on . . . .
- Boys: Jim Palmer
- Girls: Krystal Gomez
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