Record-Breaking Performances Send Students to CIF Prelims
The cross country season reached new heights this week as both the boys and girls varsity teams showcased the depth and determination of the program, with athletes across all levels achieving personal records and earning individual honors.
Leading the way for the girls team was freshman sensation Arianna Anderson, who finished third overall in the league competition. Her outstanding performance earned her First Team All-League honors and a league medal, a real achievement for a freshman runner.
Senior Aidan Marcus paced the boys squad with a stellar seventh-place finish and a new personal record of 17:53, shaving 21 seconds off his previous best.
“He broke 18 minutes, which was a huge thing that he had been trying to accomplish all season,” said Coach Jas. “They are different kids when it’s league…it’s like a whole different team.”
The JV and Freshman/Sophomore races also highlighted the program’s successes. Lilah Parrah (11) captured sixth place in the JV competition, earning a ribbon for her efforts, while Jimmy McDaniel (9) secured second place and a ribbon in the F/S race.
“Jimmy did so good! He had over a minute improvement in his time. Super cool,” said Coach Jas.
The personal record list read like a team honor roll: Alex Partida (12) improved by one second, Aalyah Flores (10) and Ayden Belmontes (10) each dropped four seconds, Charlie Kash (9) cut nine seconds, and Michaela Folkerts (12) and Ian Ramos (12) both ran 18 seconds faster than before. Dante Barrasso (10) matched Aidan’s 21-second improvement, while Rori Weber (9) slashed nearly a minute off her time with a 54-second PR.
The improvements continued with Johnny Gonzalez’s (9) one-minute-and-two-second PR, Brody Leonard’s (12) one-minute-and-four-second drop, Johnny Navarro (11) with a one-minute-and-seven-second improvement, and Jimmy’s impressive one-minute-and-15-second breakthrough. Gio Hernandez (10) improved by one minute and 38 seconds, and Gianni Pedroza-Sanchez (10) rounded out the PR parade with a stunning two-minute-and-46-second improvement.
Both varsity teams will now represent our school at the CIF Finals on Saturday morning, November 15th, at Mt. SAC, one of California’s most prestigious cross country venues. The 15 personal records and dual team qualifications have energized the program heading into the biggest race of the season.
Come out and support our runners as they compete for a chance to advance even further in the postseason!
Special thank you to CMHS alumni and UCI graduate Raymond Tran for his photos. Check out his Instagram and support his efforts!: @_raymondtranphotography_
Follow the CMHS Cross Country Instagram: @cmhs_xctf.
