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Click HERE to view 2012-13 Cross Country Schedule (updated 7/26/12)
Article from Whittier Daily News: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/preps/ci_19419990
DIVISION I BOYS
Overview: C.J. Albertson suffered defeat while injured at the section finals, but still has the fastest times on the state meet course! Sergio Gonzalez is much improved and keep an eye on Stockdale super soph Blake Haney!
The Rankings:
1. C.J. Albertson, Sr. (Buchanan, Clovis-CE)
2. Sergio Gonzalez, Sr. (Arcadia-SS)
3. Luis Gutierrez, Sr. (Rancho Cucamonga-SS)
4. Kevin Durham, Sr. (El Toro, Lake Forest-SS)
5. Blake Haney, Soph. (Stockdale, Bakersfield-CE)
6. Cody Brazeal, Jr. (Buchanan, Clovis-CE)
7. Cameron Miller, Sr. (Stockdale, Bakersfield-CE)
8. Porter Reddish, Jr. (Vista Murrieta, Murrieta-SS)
9. Jared Hazlett, Sr. (Trabuco Hills, Mission Viejo-SS)
10. Bryan Guijarro, Sr. (Knight, Palmdale-SS)
11. Yohaness Estifanos, Jr. (Milpitas-CC)
12. (tie) Anthony Monroy, Sr. (Burroughs, Burbank-SS)
12. (tie) Aaron Mora, Sr. (Whittier-SS)
Last Saturday, November 26th, 2011 the California Cross-Country State Championships were held at Fresno’s Woodward Park. Whittier has only sent 3 individuals to the Cross-Country State Championships. Bernard Maitai in 1995 ran 16:17 and finished 30th, Laura Olvera in 2003 ran 18:52 and finished 28th, and now Aaron Mora.
Wednesday afternoon, Aaron looked online as the State Rankings were posted. He was pretty upset when he saw his name tied for 12th place. Most people would be pretty excited to even be ranked in the State. He texted me and told me he would prove them wrong. Aaron’s goal all season has been to be 1st Team All-State, which is finishing in the Top 7. It actually fueled Aaron and motivated him. People have underestimated him all season long. I have had coaches and newspaper writers asking me, “Where did this kid come from?”
Nobody knew about Aaron because last year Aaron had a great season leading up to League Finals, but that is where his season stopped. His track season was pretty good, but nobody outside the Whittier Area was impressed. Aaron had a little problem with “zoning out” in the middle of the race. Aaron would be right with the leaders and then someone would surge a little and the next thing he would know he would be 50 yards back and out of the race. I like to call it having a little “brain fart” in the middle of a race. Aaron’s junior track season ended at CIF Prelims by less than 5 seconds because of a little “brain fart” on the 2nd to last lap of the 2 mile. The leaders surged a little and the next thing Aaron knew he was jogging and out of the race. He came back and sprinted the last lap, but it was too late. His senior year would not end because of a “brain fart.” Cross-Country is a difficult sport. You tell me another sport where you can have a teenager focus for 15-20 minutes, no time outs, no half times, no substitutions. I just wish they could be that focused in the classroom.
Aaron headed over to the starting line for his race. He did a few practice starts and lined up. The last thing I said to Aaron was, “This is it! Prove to everyone today that you are one of the best in the State. I’m proud of what you have accomplished this year, but we aren’t done! No Brain Farts! When they move, you move! You got this! Good luck and have fun!”
The race was off and running. The leaders came through the first mile in 4:43, Aaron was in the Top 15 around 4:45. At 1 ½ miles, right before “Killer Hill” the race favorite surged from behind Aaron to the front of the race. Aaron was in 10th place. Aaron came through 2 miles at 9:53 in 8th place. He looked good, too. He just needed to hang on that last mile. I sprinted all the way across the park so I could get to ¼ mile left in the race. I saw him come around the corner. I yelled, “You are in 8th place! Pick me up one more!” He began his sprint to the finish. I was weaving through the crowd trying to see the finish. The results were immediately posted electronically on the scoreboard. It read, “7th Mora 15:23.” Aaron had done it. He accomplished the goal he had been training for.
ACTUAL RESULTS
Place | Name | Yr | School | D1boys | Pace | Bib# | Sec |
1 | Sergio Gonzalez | SR | Arcadia | 15:05 | 4:52 | 1391 | SS |
2 | Luis Gutierez | SR | Rancho Cucamonga | 15:12 | 4:54 | 1743 | SS |
3 | Bryan Guijarro | SR | Knight | 15:14 | 4:55 | 1641 | SS |
4 | Kevin Durham | SR | El Toro | 15:18 | 4:56 | 1539 | SS |
5 | Richie Soto | SR | Marina | 15:18 | 4:56 | 1681 | SS |
6 | CJ Albertson | SR | Buchanan | 15:20 | 4:57 | 265 | CS |
7 | Aaron Mora | SR | Whittier | 15:23 | 4:57 | 1897 | SS |
8 | Cameron Miller | SR | Stockdale | 15:23 | 4:58 | 423 | CS |
9 | Jared Hazlett | SR | Trabuco Hills | 15:25 | 4:58 | 1865 | SS |
10 | Cody Brazeal | JR | Buchanan | 15:27 | 4:59 | 267 | CS |
Well, his season isn’t over, yet! This weekend he will continue his post-season at Mt. SAC to race in the FootLocker West Regionals. If he finishes in the Top 10, he will compete in San Diego at the FootLocker National Championships. What are his chances? Well, Aaron ran the 15th Fastest Time in the State on Saturday, so his chances are really good. He will have competition from the State Champions from Oregon, Washington, Utah, and others, but California has the best competition and Mt. SAC is Aaron’s favorite course. If he does qualify he will get to spend 3 days and 2 nights at the Hotel Del Coronado with the best runners in the Nation!
Thanks,
Dan Whittington
Lucia Medina
Megan Ritter
Saturday, November 12th, 2011 was the CIF Prelims held at the famed Mt. SAC course. Unfortunately, it rained too much on Friday night and Saturday morning for the races to be run on the regular course. The races had to be run on a flat, fast, concrete course.
Aaron Mora was placed in Heat 4 of the Division I Boys Race. Aaron Mora had to finish in the top 6 in order to qualify to next week’s Division I CIF Championships. Our race plan was to have Aaron up front, but not leading the race so that he may save energy for next week’s race. Aaron traded off leading with another runner so that they would share blocking the wind for each other. They both seemed to be comfortable during the entire race. They talked, joked and shared the work for 2.5 miles. The first mile was 4:49 with a pack of 12 runners together. When the runners came by again at 1.5 miles 6 boys had separated themselves from the rest of the race. Aaron and two others pulled a little further away coming through 2 miles faster than any other race of the day at 9:47. Aaron soon realized he was going to qualify so he shut it down and cruised in the last ½ mile. Aaron finished 3rd in his heat easily qualifying for next week’s show down.
The Lady Cardinals came out of league in 3rd place, but knew that we could compete with El Rancho and California. Unfortunately, none of us were in the same heat, but we could compare Team Times. Our Lady Cardinals got out quick because of the fast flat course. Marylu Pulido lead the way for the Cardinals in 21st place, then Wendy Carrillo and Monica Negrete were next in 53rd and 54th. Our fourth girl was Melissa Carabes in 62nd. Our last scorer was Rebecca Jara in 85th. Our 6th and 7th ladies were Wendy Dorantes and Monica Flores finishing in 100th and 113th. Our team time was 93:48 and we finished 9th in our heat. California’s Lady Condors ran just a hair faster than us in 93:36 finishing 11th in their heat and the Lady Dons of El Rancho finished in 94:02 finishing in 11th in their heat. Overall, our ladies finished off a great season right in the thick of things.
Aaron Mora continues his post-season run this Saturday, November 19th again at Mt. SAC at 10:05 am. If he runs well we will be spending Thanksgiving weekend in beautiful Fresno, CA for the State meet.
Thanks for all your support.
Dan Whittington
Lucia Medina
For those who missed the meet, I will give you a breakdown race by race of the highlights.
JV Girls: Lead by sophomore Wendy Dorantes the Lady Cardinals entered the meet in 2nd place behind the Lady Dons of El Rancho. The Lady Cardinals stepped up big and place 4 girls in the Top10 to win the race by 12 points. We would need El rancho to finish 3rd in order to be out right League Champs. Well, California helped us out and tied El Rancho for 2nd, but in Cross Country it goes to the 6th runner for the tie breaker. California’s 6th runner was ahead of El rancho’s 6th so El Rancho finished 3rd and so Whittier became League Champions for the JV Girls.
2 Dorantes, Wendy 10 Whittier 6:58 20:53 2
6 Gil, Isabel 11 Whittier 7:08 21:23 6
7 Mariscal, Paulina 11 Whittier 7:09 21:25 7
9 Carabes, Cynthia 10 Whittier 7:13 21:37 9
18 Hernandez, Bernice 12 Whittier 7:29 22:25 18
31 Espinoza, Devon 11 Whittier 7:53 23:38 27
32 Gonzalez, Alejandra 12 Whittier 7:57 23:49 28
41 Chavez, Edith 10 Whittier 8:21 25:02
45 Black, Alexis 10 Whittier 8:30 25:30
55 Lance, Hailee 11 Whittier 9:08 27:22
JV Boys: Lead by senior Drew Rios the Cardinals entered the meet tied for 2nd with El Rancho, unfortunately we just couldn’t break up El Rancho’s top 2 guys and El Rancho pushed us back to 3rd by only 10 points. We had two big groups that ran together which gives us hope for the future.
Freshmen Girls: Lead by freshmen Stephanie Gonzalez the Cardinals entered the meet in 4th place. The girls rallied to finish 3rd. We had two in the Top 5, but dropped off a bit after that. Almost all the ladies ran personal bests today, so I was very proud of them.
3 Gonzalez, Stephanie 9 Whittier 7:17 21:49 2
5 Escalera, Jocelyn 9 Whittier 7:26 22:18 4
15 Jimenez, Angelina 9 Whittier 7:50 23:30 13
20 Montano, Diane 9 Whittier 7:59 23:57 17
23 Jimenez, Evelyn 9 Whittier 8:17 24:51 19
31 Singh, Kashika 9 Whittier 9:00 26:59 23
39 Black, Antonette 9 Whittier 10:05 30:14 28
40 Hernandez, Melissa 9 Whittier 10:09 30:26
Freshmen Boys: Lead by standout freshman Brian Ochoa the Cardinals entered the meet in 3rd place and that is where they would finish. Brian again finished 2nd in the race, but still kept in close (13 sec) with California’s top runner. Brian ran the #9 Freshmen Boy Time ever on the course. Nearly all the boys ran personal bests today.
2 Ochoa, Brian 9 Whittier 5:44 17:11 2
13 Tellez, Mason 9 Whittier 6:13 18:37 13
16 Pulido, Mario 9 Whittier 6:15 18:43 16
18 Gardea, Joshua 9 Whittier 6:18 18:53 18
22 Martinez, Emmanuel 9 Whittier 6:31 19:32 22
23 Obeso, Daemien 9 Whittier 6:32 19:35 23
Girls Varsity: The Girls Varsity race was as exciting as we thought it would be. All three girls teams would be very close to each other. For the last three years we were good, but we also were very lucky, too. This year things just didn’t bounce our way. Earlier in the week Monica Negrete sprained her ankle and did not run at all Wednesday or Thursday. She told me no matter what she was going to run. Wendy Carrillo woke up sick as a dog, but sucked it up and ran her heart out. Whittier was leading at the 1st mile 36-38-42 over Cal and El Rancho. Whittier was still leading after 2 miles 36-45-45 over Cal and El Rancho. In the last mile we had girls slipping and losing positions. Today our girls fought, but came up short. Our girls would finish 3rd 40-46-56 to El Rancho and Cal. Our Lady Cardinals still will compete Saturday, at CIF Prelims at Mt. SAC. Marylu Pulido is now the #4 All-Time Girl Ever on the Course and Freshman Monica Flores ran the #6 Fastest Freshmen Girl Time Ever on the Course.
2 Pulido, Marylu 11 Whittier 6:09 18:27 2
5 Carabes, Melissa 12 Whittier 6:27 19:20 5
10 Negrete, Monica 12 Whittier 6:31 19:32 10
18 Carrillo, Wendy 12 Whittier 6:46 20:17 18
21 Flores, Monica 9 Whittier 6:49 20:27 21
25 Jara, Rebecca 12 Whittier 6:56 20:48 25
Boys Varsity: The Boys Varsity race was another thriller up front. Senior Aaron Mora led through the 1st mile in 4:56 and continued leading through the 2nd mile at 9:57. Aaron had 4 other runners with him. With a half mile to go Michael Munoz from La Serna took the lead. Aaron appeared to settle for 2nd place. Munoz had about a 3-5 sec lead on Aaron with about ¼ mile to go. Aaron kicked like he was running the 100 yard-dash. He blew right past Munoz and Munoz was crushed. Munoz jogged in the last 100 yards of the race and collapsed. Aaron set a new course record in 14:55. The first runner ever to break 15 min at the course. The Boys needed a 3rd place finish in order to head to CIF, but the Boys teams in our league also stepped up. Even though the Boys ran #9 Team Time in School history it just wasn’t enough to grab 3rd place. We finished only 12pts out of 3rd and 14 pts out of 2nd. Aaron Mora continues his season next weekend at Mt. SAC at CIF Prelims.
1 Mora, Aaron 12 Whittier 4:59 14:55 1
8 Acevedo, David 12 Whittier 5:14 15:42 8
15 Perez, Sergio 12 Whittier 5:20 16:00 15
25 Gardea, Oscar 12 Whittier 5:29 16:26 25
28 Virula, Allan 11 Whittier 5:31 16:33 28
29 Edwards, Shaunee 12 Whittier 5:33 16:39 29
30 Carrillo, Guillermo 12 Whittier 5:36 16:48 30
http://www.sgvtrackandfield.net/?p=1081
Our first league meet is Friday, September 30th at Legg Lake (Whittier Narrows).
3:00pm Girls JV
3:30 Boys JV
4:00 Girls Freshmen
4:30 Boys Freshmen
5:00 Girls Varsity
5:30 Boys Varsity
Thanks,
Dan Whittington
Lucia Medina
Megan Ritter
Boys Junior Varsity at 4:00pm. The Whittier boys took command early on and did not let up. Whittier took 1st through 6th place to sweep the Boys JV race. Chris Ruiz, Drew Rios, Ray Melendez, Abdon Hernandez, Ivan Izquierdo, and Freshmen Brian Ochoa secured the win. Whittier 15, SM 49, SP 85 (low score wins). The lowest score you can have in Cross Country is 15 points.
The next race was the Girls race at 4:30pm. While holding out our #4 and #5 runner the Whittier girls still came to compete. Unfortunately, we came up a little short in the end. SM 32, Whittier 41, SP 61.
The last race of the day was the Boys Varsity race at 5:00pm. The instructions were to run as a pack for 2 miles and then take off if there was anyone near us. Well, at 2 miles there wasn’t anything but RED jerseys. Unfortunately, our #5 runner took a wrong turn and couldn’t rejoin the pack and our #6 runner had an off day, but we only allowed one runner in between our Top 6 runners. Whittier got the easy win 16, SM 47, SP 66.
On Saturday Night, the team ran at the Rosemead Invitational. Some Highlights from the weekend include:
* 41 out of 47 runners ran P.R.’s!!! That’s 87%!!
*Boys Varsity BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD FOR OVERALL FASTEST TEAM TIME!!! They ran 77:12 which is an average of 15:26 for the top 5 runners.
*Girls Varsity ran #6 Team Time All-Time 97:12 which is an average of 19:26 for the top 5 runners.
*Whittier Boys defeated Division 3 State Champs St. John Bosco 63-68!!
*Junior, Marylu Pulido won her race in a time of 17:58!!
After the performance on Saturday night, the Boys team is now ranked #10 in Division 1 in CIF!
These are the Top 7 Boys from Saturday night:
DIVISION 1 BOYS
Notes: Competing at full strength for the first time, Rancho Cucamonga affirms its preseason #2 ranking with its overall merged score win at Mt. Carmel. Off-the-radar Whittier makes nice jump into Top 10 after overall merged score victory at Rosemead.
Thanks for your support,
The Cross-Country team’s season has begun. After a long summer filled with miles and miles of training our runners finally get to see how their hard work has paid off. Saturday evening was our first opportunity of the season to show off. The Varsity team’s headed off to San Marcos for a race under the stars (and lights too) last weekend.
So close to second place.
The Boys then raced at 9:15pm.
Senior, Monica Negrete showed some serious toughness in the race. About halfway into the race Monica was running downhill on the horse trail and caught her toe on a railroad tie. She tripped and fell. Monica got up and continued running the race nearly running a PR. I saw her run by soon after she fell and had noticed that her uniform was all dirty, but she seemed to be running fine so I just encouraged her. When Monica finished the race she told me she fell. I saw a big bloody bump on her forehead and her right shin was completely covered in blood. We took her over to the First Aid tent and had the EMT’s work on her. After the EMT’s assessed her, they advised us to take her to the ER because they felt she might have broken her big toe and may need stitches on her right knee. Monica was pretty upset she would have to go to the ER instead of our post-race IN N OUT meal. We finished up at the ER around 2am. After numerous xrays and cleaning of her wounds the ending result of her fall was a scrape on her forehead, both elbows scraped up, on her stomach near her hips she had scrapes, her left thigh was scraped up, her right knee was pretty bad but didn’t need stitches and her Left Big Toe was Sprained. When we got back to the Hotel her teammates had her IN N OUT Burger waiting for her.
Thanks,
Whittier Daily News League Finals 10-30-07
