La Mirada High School

• Both April Soto and Andrew Diaz came to the team late in the season and really wanted to do well. Slowly they worked themselves into racing shape.  Andrew ran his first race of the season at League Finals and was the 2^nd finisher for the J.V. Boys. April finished the season as the League Runner-up for the J.V. girls. Both of them have a great future with the team!

• Ever since Jenna Pasillas and Ryan Holash joined the cross country teams, their never-quit attitude has earned them the respect of their teammates and coaches.  For Jenna, her remarkable performance at League Finals also earned her a spot on the CIF bound varsity team.  Well done!

Week #8: Bellflower Dual Meet (cancelled)
No Races this week!

Week #7: Mt. SAC Invitational
Amanda Stephens & Ryan Holash.

• Ryan Holash has made a huge turnaround in his training the past 2 to 3 weeks. He was the only one of the returning varsity runners to equal or better his time at Mt. SAC.  Well done Ryan!

• Week in and week out for the past four years, Amanda Stephens has been a model of consistent hard work.  Even when she doesn’t want to, she gives her full effort.  Her example will be remembered as the standard for younger athletes who want to reach their goals.

Week #6: Glenn-Artesia Dual Meet
Kelly Wilson & Nathaniel Moore

• Kelly Wilson won her first J.V. race this week.  Her consistent work ethic has made her one of the most improved girls on the team.  Despite an early season injury, Kelly continues to push for her ultimate goal: a spot on the CIF bound Varsity team.

• Nathaniel Moore has been one of the top runners on the team since his freshman year.  Stung by the disappointing loss to Norwalk last week, Nathaniel turned around his training this week and nailed every workout.  His first place finish against Glenn made a positive statement to the rest of the team: Step it Up!

Week #5: Norwalk-Cerritos Dual Meet
Jarod Winn & Vaniah De Rojas

• Jarod Winn (Jay-rod to his teammates) is a newcomer to the sport of cross country.  He brings a refreshing attitude and a work-ethic that the entire team notices.  His first race in a varsity uniform was one of the toughest races of the season.  We're happy to report that Jarod performed admirably.

• Vaniah De Rojas did not come to the cross country team easily.  She avoided the inevitable as long as she could and finally joined the team late in the summer.  This hard working athlete is rarely complains and always trains to the best of her ability.  We're happy she decided to stay and we expect great things from her in the future!

Week #4: Mayfair Dual Meet, Brea Invitational
Jenna Pasillas & Elijah De Rojas

• A rookie, Jenna Pasillas ran her first Suburban League varsity race last week and was the 5^th finisher for La Mirada. She PR’ed at both Mayfair and Warren-Stauffer and is rapidly approaching the 21:00 minute district. Jenna trained consistently all summer and approaches each race with drive and determination. Her tenacity has been inspirational to anyone who cares to notice. We look forward to a great future for this hard working athlete. Well done, Jenna!

• Elijah De Rojas also PR’ed at both races last week. During his two years on the team, the coaches have always been impressed at how Elijah gives his best at each workout and race. Although working through a slight injury, he has his sights set on earning a varsity uniform. Congratulations Elijah!

Week #3: Santa Fe Dual Meet, Roadrunner Classic
Ana Poblet & Jim Palmer: Because there were a number 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 September 22^nd are Ana Poblet and Jim Palmer (with special recognition to Jared Bird).

• Ana Poblet raced to a PR this week and in the process earned the 2^nd fastest time for a Junior girl. Ana always approaches her daily workout with drive and passion. A selfless leader, she is quick to consider the needs of her teammates and is proving to be an excellent role model for young athletes. Never one to avoid a challenge, Ana Poblet has trained with her eye on the big prize this season.

• Jim Palmerraced to a PR this week and in the process, he led the J.V. boys to a 2^nd place finish at Roadrunner Classic. Like Ana, Jim has worked hard this season and has accepted the challenge to step up for the team. His commitment to his teammates encourages everybody to train harder. Congratulations to Jim and Ana!

Week #2: Cal High-La Habra Dual Meet
Megan Burbidge & Jared Bird

Week #1: Whittier Dual Meet, Millikan Invitational
Amanda Stephens & Kevin Osborn

• Amanda Stephens sat out most of last season due to illness. She made a promise to her team and to her family that the 2003 season would be different. Training like a runner possessed, Amanda is one of the few athletes who approaches every training session as if it’s the most important. She nails every repeat and her pace is ALWAYS on target. In other words, no one else works the plan the way Amanda does. So, what’s her reward? The Sr. class and school record! Dropping over a minute off her PR and smashing the school record by 33 seconds, Amanda is proof that if you follow the training exactly, you will improve!

• Kevin Osborn worked hard this summer. He struggled, he complained, he hurt. The pressure on Kevin from his teammates was enormous. But Kevin pushed through. At Saturday’s race, Kevin was the only one of the top six boys to earn a PR. And, if you saw his finish, you know how hard he ran. As the season progresses, Kevin’s work will pay off and the entire team will reap the benefits. Congratulations Amanda and Kevin!

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PR’S All Around, Juniors take Third Place &
Record Books Rewritten
Millikan Results on Dyestat

The Matadores scored big this Saturday at the Millikan Invitational at Heartwell Park in Long Beach. Of the twenty-six athletes who participated, eighteen earned a PR and fourteen earned medals. Erica Sandoval (20:04) started the trend with an awesome performance in the girl’s freshman race. Erica backed up the strong statements she made at an all-girls meeting last evening with a tough race. In the process she issued a challenge to her new teammates by shattering the freshman record by 15 seconds. The previous record, set by Destinie Martin (20:19) in 2002, bested a 16-year-old school record. Soon after, in the senior girl’s race, Amanda Stephens (19:06) showed she was more than up to the challenge and set a new school record, a new senior class record and became the second Matadore runner in 20 years to break through the 20 minute barrier.

Amanda now has her sights set on being the first La Mirada girl to break the 19 minute barrier. Over all, the girl’s top 7 team-time of 102:43 was short of the 101:31 record set in 2001.

Just as the sun appeared, the boys Junior team, led by Nathaniel Moore and Jared Bird, raced to a 3^rd place finish in their race. Last year’s Sophomore team was the 1^st place team.

Other athletes who raced themselves into the record book include: Adele Mata (21:29), who now owns the 8^th fastest freshman girls time; Ana Poblet (20:31) who moves into the 5^th spot on the junior girls list; Taylor Siemens (19:03), number 9 all-time freshman; Jared Bird (16:46), 4^th spot on the Junior boys list; and Nathaniel Moore (16:33), now 2^nd on the Junior boys list.

Congratulations to all the runners who PR’ed and performed so well at the Millikan Invitational.

La Mirada vs Whitter H.S.
September 11, 2003
La Mirada Regional Park

Course: Moderate
Conditions: Warm