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Audrey Serrata Named La Mirada "Athlete of the Year"

Posted by Ralph Casas at Jun 15, 2003 5:00PM PDT ( 0 Comments )

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Audrey Serrata, class of 2003, was named co-recipient of the La Mirada High School "Athlete of the Year" Award. The award was presented to Serrata by Kim Brooks, athletic director, at the annual Senior Tea. Audrey earned 12 varsity letters while at La Mirada High School. Her accomplishments include:

Freshman Year:
Cross Country
Suburban League All-League (8thPlace)
2nd place all-time freshman girls (20:44)
"Rookie of the Year"

Soccer
Varsity Letter

Track & Field
2nd place all-time freshman in 1600 (5:43)
7th place all-time 3200 (12:36.6)
Advanced to CIF-SS Prelims in 1600 & 3200

Sophomore Year:
Cross Country
Suburban League All League (7thPlace)
2nd place all-time sophomore girls (20:29)
Scholastic All-CIF Winner

Soccer
"Come-back player of the year"

Track & Field
League Champ: 1600
Coach’s Award

Junior Year:
Cross Country
3rd place all time junior girl (20:09)
Scholastic All-CIF Winner

Soccer
"Defensive Player of the Year"
All League Selection

Track & Field
Varsity Letter

Senior Year:
Cross Country
Suburban League All-League (3rd Place)
2nd Place all time girls record (19:43)
"Most Valuable Runner"
Senior Record – Mt. SAC

Soccer
All League selection
All CIF-SS Division III 2nd team
"Defensive Player of the Year"

Track & Field
Senior Record 1600 – 3rd place overall (5:36.23)
3rd place 800m (2:30.50)
Advanced to CIF-SS prelims in 800 & 1600
"Most Inspirational Runner"

To summarize, Audrey earned 12 varsity letters, received Cross Country "All League" honors on three occasions, was League Champion two times in Track and Field, received "All League" honors and "All CIF" honors in soccer and advanced to the CIF championship level 11 times. Audrey will attend Cal State Fullerton where she will compete for the college's cross country team.  The entire La Mirada High School Cross Country team extends a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to Audrey Serrata!

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CIF Prelims

Posted by Mark Casas at Dec 2, 2002 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

CIF-SS Division II Preliminaries
Matadores 5th and 10th on a Disappointing Day for the Team

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Both teams—boys and girls—completed numerous tough hill and speed workouts in preparation for this day. Their training schedule was designed for them to peak for the big race and nothing before this day indicated it wouldn’t happen. Each runner was given a “game plan” that, if properly executed, would help lead their teams to a successful finish. They were ready, mentally and physically. When the gun went off to signal the start of races #23 and #26, everything went according to plan . . . for the first 75 meters. By the time the main pack entered the first loop of mile 1 at the famed Mt. SAC course, La Mirada’s boys and girls had already strayed from the game plan.

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In the boy’s race, senior Dag Tesfaye pulled away with the 2nd pack and never looked back. His goal for the day was to race in the top 20. He finished #21 overall. Freshman Ryan Holash was asked to break 18 minutes and stay close to La Mirada’s 4th runner. Instead, Holash, who finished with a time of 17:53, ended up as the #2 La Mirada runner for the day. Ben Ramirez, running in his last race for the Matadores, finished just behind Holash at 18 minutes—the 3rd Matadore runner. The sophomore crew that had so capably carried the team this season, was silenced. Nathaniel Moore, suffering the effects of a week-long illness, dropped to the ground and was forced to pull out of the race at the switchbacks. Jared Bird, who broke away from the Matadore pack in hopes of staying with Dag, turned an ankle going up Reservoir Hill and was frustrated in his quest for the #2 La Mirada spot. Jake Cooley struggled from the start to maintain the pace and Freddy Ramirez just didn’t have his best day. In retrospect, the boys rode an emotional wave that carried them to their finest Suburban League performance in many years and peaked for league finals. It was left to Holash, who truly proved his worth to the team, and Tesfaye, who ran 16:54, 16:56 and 16:54 in his three races at Mt. SAC this year, to shine as La Mirada’s premier performers in the CIF-SS championship race.

The girls were confident. They had been to this level many times before and knew what they had to do to reach the next level. CIF-SS Finals, a goal that had escaped the team for 16 consecutive years, was within reach. Or so they thought. Senior Audrey Serrata was instructed to go with the 2nd pack and finish between 20:10 and 20:20. She completed the course in a La Mirada school record 20:20. Serrata’s position for the entire race was between 15th and 19th place. Junior Amanda Stephens, in only her third race since returning from a chronic illness, also followed the aforementioned game plan, and ran it to perfection. Stephens was asked to start the race as the 5th La Mirada runner and “round-up” the girls in front of her. At the end of the first mile, while Freshman phenom Destinie Martin was in 38th place—where she was to finish—Amanda was 14 spots back in 52nd place, behind Jennifer Minero, Ana Poblet and Jackie Martinez. Coming off the tough switchbacks and onto the runway, Serrata led the girls at 10:43—exactly according to plan. Behind her was to have been Poblet, Martin and senior Vanessa Thomas, all under 11 minutes. Instead, it was Stephens who led the next group—at 11:14! Up poop-out and around Reservoir Hill, Stephens, Minero and Martin exchanged the lead. While Serrata crested the rugged hill at 16:50, the next 3 struggled up in 18 minutes, well off pace. Stephens broke away and finished 10 seconds ahead in the #33 spot—La Mirada’s #2 runner. Minero, Martin, and Poblet ended the race as the #37, #38 and #45 runner respectively. Martinez, battled the hills to finish at 22:14. Thomas, who completed the course in 20:35 last season, braved a knee injury and cruised to a 22:40. Minero, who earned a PR, Serrata and Stephens ran their best races of the season. It was not enough, however, as the Lady Mats found themseleves, once again, in 5th place, one spot away from a CIF-SS Finals berth. In Audrey’s three races at Mt. SAC this Season, she raced to course PR’s of 20:22, 20:27 and 20:20, proving she belongs among La Mirada’s elite runners.

For the young Matadore team, it was a disheartening way to end the season. However, they are confident that they learned many valuable lessons over the course of the long season and are determined to be back next year and successfully take the steps needed to get to the CIF-SS Finals!

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2002 Awards Banquet & Season Summary

Posted by Ralph Casas at Dec 1, 2002 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

1999 Athletes of the Week

Banquet

Table of Contents

2002 Cross Country Team Achievements:

Head Coach: Ralph Casas
Boys Coach: Mark Casas
Girls Coach: Amanda Paulson

Captains:
Amanda Stephens, Tara Palmer & Vanessa Thomas
Dag Tesfaye, Ben Ramirez & Nathaniel Moore

Varsity Boys: Overall Record: 14 - 2
League 3rd Place: Dag Tesfaye

  • Suburban League — 2nd Place (Record: 10 - 2)
  • CIF-SS Championship Qualifiers
  • CIF-SS Prelims — 10th Place (Tesfaye, Holash, Ramirez, Bird, Cooley, Ramirez & Moore)
  • Mt. SAC team time: 84:51 (Moore, Bird, Lee, Tesfaye, Perez, Ramirez, Holash) (School Record)

Frosh-Soph Boys:

  • Suburban League — 2nd Place (10 - 2)

Sophomore Boys:

  • Millikan Invitational — 1stPlace

J.V. Boys:

  • League Champion: Sergio Meza

Varsity Girls: Suburban League Champions (Back-to-Back)
League 3rd Place: Audrey Serrata

  • Record: 16 Wins - 0 Losses (2001-02: 31 - 0)
  • CIF-SS Championship Qualifiers — 17thConsecutive Year
  • CIF-SS Prelims — 5th Place (Serrata, Stephens, Minero, Martin, Poblet, Martinez & Thomas)
  • Mt. SAC Invitational — 4thPlace
  • Senior Girls @ Millikan Invitational – 2ndPlace (Thomas, Serrata, Minero, Mata & Martinez)

J.V. Girls: Suburban League Champions — 15 points (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
League Champion: Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse
League Runner-up: Megan Burbidge
League 3rd Place: Sonia Linares

  • Overall Record: 16 - 0

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2002 Season Award Winners

Excellence Awards
These special awards are presented by the coaches to the athletes who give their best effort at all times. 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.

  • Excellence Awards

    • Jake Cooley
    • Elijah De Rojas
    • Marlene Guerrero
    • Briana Jaramillo
    • Cynthia Mata
    • Sergio Meza
    • Kevin Osborn
    • Tara Palmer
    • Mario Perez
    • Amanda Stephens
    • Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse
    • Kelly Wilson

  • Special Recognition to Those Athletes Who Achieved Excellence While Competing Injured or Ill:

    • Amanda Stephens
    • Vanessa Thomas
    • Mario Perez
    • Ben Ramirez

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Rookie of the Year
The “Rookie of the Year” is selected by coaches and athletes. It is given to the freshman or new runner whose effort and natural ability enabled them to excel above and beyond expectations. This year’s group of new runners is exceptional and includes many athletes who worked hard and were talented enough to earn the award.

The stand outs—and the runners who received votes—are Tara Sanchez, Briana Jaramillo, Kelly Wilson and Destinie Martin on the girl’s team and Paul Garcia, Kevin Osborn, & Ryan Holash on the boy’s team. The winners are . . .

Boys: Ryan Holash
Girls: Destinie Martin

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Most Improved
Selected by the athletes and coaches, the “Most Improved Runner” award is given to the second or third year runner whose work ethic 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: Jennifer Minero, Megan Burbidge, Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse, Ana Poblet and Marlene Guerrero

And for the boys: Daniel Lee, Jim Palmer, Freddy Ramirez and Mario Perez

The winners are:

Boys: Jim Palmer
Girls: Ana Poblet

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Most Inspirational
Voted on and 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 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: Megan Burbidge, Amanda Stephens, Jennifer Minero, Ana Poblet and Sonia Linares on the girl’s team, and Jared Bird, Jim Palmer, Freddy Ramirez and Dag Tesfaye on the boy’s team.

The winners are . . . .

Boys: Dag Tesfaye
Girls: Megan Burbidge

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Most Valuable Runner
The athletes voted by their teammates and coaches to receive the “Most Valuable Runner” Award proved to be the heart of the team throughout the season. They were consistently among the top runners and recorded the fastest overall times. In voting for this award, the team was asked to consider those runners who ran well under pressure and came through for the team in the “big races.”

The finalists on the girls team are: Destinie Martin, Ana Poblet, Amanda Stephens, Audrey Serrata & Vanessa Thomas

Boys finalists include: Jared Bird, Ryan Holash, Dag Tesfaye, Daniel Lee & Nathaniel Moore

Boys: Dag Tesfaye & Nathaniel Moore
Girls: Audrey Serrata

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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: Jared Bird
Girls: Ana Poblet

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Scholar Athletes

  • Angela Cho

  • Marlene Guerrero

  • Destinie Martin

  • Jackie Martinez

  • Cynthia Mata

  • Jennifer Minero

  • Tara Palmer

  • Ana Poblet

  • Audrey Serrata

  • Jackie Serrata

  • Amanda Stephens

  • Vanessa Thomas

  • Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse

  • Jared Bird

  • Paul Garcia

  • Ryan Holash

  • Sergio Meza

  • Nathaniel Moore

  • Mario Perez

  • Jim Palmer

  • Chris Valdez

  • Ben Ramirez

  • Dag Tesfaye

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2002 Runners of the Week

Week #9: League Finals
Vanessa Thomas, Audrey Serrata, Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse, Dag Tesfaye, Sergio Meza and Kevin Osborn

  • Late in August, Vanessa Thomas decided she really wanted to do well this season. Hampered by injuries sustained after running a half-marathon this winter, Vanessa has slowly worked herself back into racing shape. Her leadership and determination helped ensure another winning season for the Lady Mats.

  • Ever since Sergio Meza joined the cross country team his junior year, his never-quit attitude has earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches. It also earned him the title of “J.V. League Champion” and a spot on the CIF bound varsity team. Well done Serg!

  • Everything posted previously about Audrey Serrata, Dag Tesfaye, Kevin Osborn and Kendal Van W still holds true. While both Audrey and Dag raced to 3rd place in League and Kendal took the top spot in the J.V. race, Kevin was the front runner for the F/S boys. Each of these athletes deserves special recognition for an outstanding season.

Week #8: Mayfair Dual Meet
Ben Ramirez & Kelly Wilson

  • Ben Ramirez has made a huge turnaround in his attitude in this fourth season running cross country. And, even though he’s been working through injuries most of the season, he continues to set an example of diligence and perseverance. Let's hope he has a couple more fast races in him.

  • Week in and week out, freshman, Kelly Wilsonhas been a model of consistent hard work. With her quiet determination and team oriented attitude, she provides a standard for athletes who want to reach higher.

Week #7: Mt. SAC Invitational
Amanda Stephens & Mario Perez

  • After an summer of nagging injuries and a season of hard training, MarioPerez finally broke through this week with a new sub 18 minute PR. With his continued effort Mario will greatly contribute to the success of the team.

  • Before illness sidelined her for most of the season, Amanda Stephenstrained extremely hard this summer. She came back this week and the hard work paid off! In only her 4th race, Amanda ran the best race of her season, showing why she is such a vital part of the team. We welcome her back and know she’ll be ready for the big races.

Week#6: Bellflower Dual Meet
Jennifer Minero, Megan Burbidge& Dag Tesfaye

  • Working hard to overcome injuries and pains sustained in the pre-season, both Jenniferand Megan stepped-up for their team precisely when needed. Earning new PR’s for a 5K course, their efforts in the Bellflower race helped secure a win. We salute these hard working athletes and thank them for their great attitudes.

  • The past two weeks, Dag has made a huge turnaround in his training and racing. This week he nailed every tough workout we had and delivered breakthrough races against Glenn and Bellflower. Well done Dag!

Week #5: Glenn-Artesia Dual Meet
Audrey Serrata and Daniel Lee

  • Sometimes a coach just has to wait 4 seasons for an athlete's true colors to show. Harder working this year than ever before, Audrey Serrata has demonstrated a determination in the past two league races that proves she belongs at the top of an elite list of Lady Mat runners. Let's hope she continues this streak all the way to CIF!

  • Daniel Lee issued a challenge to his teammates this week and then went out and showed them how it's done! Daniel is the type of quiet leader who provides inspiration to all those around him. Driven to succeed, he pushes himself to his limits each and every day. His positive contribution to La Mirada Cross Country will be remembered long after he's gone.

Week #4: Norwalk-Cerritos Dual Meet, Central Park Invite4: Norwalk-Cerritos Dual Meet, Central Park Invite
Briana Jaramillo, Jim Palmer & Ryan Holash (with special recognition to Destinie Martin): Each of these athletes brings an exciting attitude that the entire team can learn from.

  • Sophomores, Briana Jaramillo and Jim Palmer, keep looking for ways to improve and don’t seem to mind the extra work they need to do. They both gave that little extra this week that made them stand out from the rest of the team.

  • Freshmen, Ryanand Destinie, with their never-say-die attitudes, have set goals for themselves that they refuse to believe won’t happen. We look forward to an exciting four seasons with these two!

Week #3: Santa Fe Dual Meet
Destinie Martin & Jake Cooley

  • Part of the great Sophomore team, Jake Cooley decreased his PR by almost 45 seconds on our home course this season and continues to work diligently to get over an injury that sidelined him much of the summer.

  • Besides running a picture perfect, come from behind race to place 1st at Santa Fe and capture the first win of her young career, Destinie Martin’sworkouts for the week were nearly flawless. She is one reason why La Mirada Girls XC will be competitive for the next 4 years!

Week #2: CalHi-La Habra Dual Meet, Sunny Hills Invite
Ana Poblet & Ryan Holash

  • Even as a first year runner, Ryan Holash shows the determination to succeed that the boys team needs to overtake the powerhouse teams in the Suburban League. His efforts were enough that he earned himself a varsity uniform this week.

  • Second year runner, Ana Poblet, is the poster child for athletes with a great attitude! Hard-working at all times, Ana has stepped up to fill the shoes of the great runners the Lady Mats lost due to injury or graduation.

Week #1: Whittier Dual Meet, Millikan Invitational
Nathaniel Moore, Kevin Osborn & Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse

  • During the summer, both Kendal Van Wuyckhuyse and Kevin Osborn seemed content to sit back and watch their teammates work for varsity spots. Last week both of them came out of nowhere and performed at a level that caused their coaches to say, “where did that come from?”

  • Nathaniel Moore PR'ed in both of the week's races and is showing the competitive fire that is certain to make him a factor in the Suburban League. With consistent training, we expect him to drop his PR even further. Great job to the three of you!

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Annual Awards Banquet

Posted by Ralph Casas at Dec 1, 2002 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )

Annual Awards Banquet

Click Here for a Summary of all Award Winners

Coaches Awards ban006 Ana Poblet and Jared Bird

Most Valuable Runners ban005 Dag Tesfaye, Audrey Serrata, Nathaniel Moore

Most Inspirational ban004 Dag Tesfaye and Megan Burbidge

Most Improved ban003 Ana Poblet and Jim Palmer

Rookies of the Year ban002 Destinie Martin and Ryan Holash
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2002: CIF-SS Division II Prelims

Posted by Ralph Casas at Nov 15, 2002 4:00PM PST ( 0 Comments )
CIF-SS Division II Prelims
2:36 p.m.: Heat #4
Race #23
Mt. SAC Course
21 Dag Tesfaye 16:54
56 Ryan Holash 17:55
59 Ben Ramirez 18:00
69 Jared Bird 18:23
80 Jake Cooley 18:50
90 Freddy Ramirez 19:24
Nathaniel Moore DNF

Team Time:

 1:30:00
275

Points   10th Place Team

CIF-SS Division II Prelims
3:14 p.m.: Heat #3
Race #26
Mt. SAC Course
17

Audrey Serrata

 20:20
33 Amanda Stephens 21:17
37 Jennifer Minero 21:26
38 Destinie Martin 21:27
45 Ana Poblet 21:51
50 Jackie Martinez 22:14
57 Vanessa Thomas 22:40

Team Time:

 1:46:21
156

Points   5th Place Team

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