Sports
CROSS-COUNTRY SEASON PREVIEW:Having to change courses
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| Senior Sadee Martinez of Burroughs High is the area's top returning girls' cross-country runner. |
Three teams — with have their share of talent — ousted from Griffith Park home digs because of fire damage.
By Jeff Tully
BURBANK — All four local high school cross-country programs have been forced to make changes this season — and the campaign hasn’t even started yet.
In one way or another, Burroughs, Burbank, Bellarmine-Jefferson and Providence have been affected by the fires that ravished Griffith Park in May.
The fire that scorched more than 817 acres burned many of the trails in the park. Unfortunately, it also burnt areas around two cross-country courses that are used by the Indians, Bulldogs and Guards.
As a result, local meets and the 34th Bellarmine/Griffith Park Cross-Country Invitational have had to be moved.
“Basically, our course is unusable this year because of the fires,” Burroughs Coach John Peebles said. “They have blocked some of the trails behind the zoo where we usually run
they’re all fenced off.
“It’s unfortunate that we can’t run on our own course, but that’s the way it goes.”
Bell-Jeff Coach Mike Morgan, whose teams’ home course is near the Greek Theater, said he is searching for a place to hold the school’s invitational.
“We were hoping to hold it on the side the Burbank and Burroughs usually use, but we don’t know if that will be possible,” he said. “It has been tough for us.”
The annual Burbank All-City Meet — featuring all the local schools — scheduled for Sept. 5, has been moved from Griffith Park to Providence’s home course in Johnny Carson Park.
The event should feature the area’s top two female runners in seniors Sadee Martinez of Burroughs and Gaby Gonzalez of Bell-Jeff. Martinez has won the meet the past two seasons.
“Gaby is really looking forward to facing Sadee in that race,” Morgan said. “She didn’t run well and had some problems in the race last year.
“I think having the race at Providence, where it is flatter, will be better for Gaby. Hopefully, she can use her speed to her advantage.”
Burbank and Burroughs’ first Pacific League meet, scheduled for Sept. 19, has been moved from Griffith Park to Crescenta Valley Park.
Burbank Coach Trevor Marca said he is hoping the schools will be able to return to their home course next season. However, as of now, that is yet to be determined.
With the season set to begin next week, here is a closer look at the teams:
The Indians girls’ team returns the top female runner in the area in Martinez.
Martinez — the 2006-07 Leader Female Athlete of the Year — is coming off a stellar season. Along with capturing the All-City championship, she finished third in the league finals, as Burroughs notched a second-place finish.
She was able to surprise many by progressing through postseason races and earning a spot in state competition. In November, Martinez ran strongly in the Division I cross-country State Meet at Woodward Park in Fresno, placing 20th in 18 minutes 43 seconds. Her time was the 65th fastest of the 928 girls in five division races on the day.
She is the first cross-country runner from the school to qualify for state competition, something she also accomplished in the 1,600 meters during the track and field season.
Helping the Indians in their attempt to qualify for the postseason for the seventh time in the last eight years will be returning seniors Veronica Eyo and Kerry Hodgins and sophomores Angie Martinez and Monique Martinez. Senior Cristina Perez, juniors Taryn Campos and Vivian Ochoa, sophomores Lauren Andrade and Kristy Payne and freshman Tessa Chandler will get a shot at earning varsity spots.
Peebles said he has high expectations for his squad.
“All I want to see from any runner, Sadee included, is continued hard work and improvement,” he said. “I think that everybody should be capable of that.”
Although Burroughs — which qualified for the postseason last year — returns five of seven runners from a team that placed third in league, Peebles said his Indians should face tough competition from Arcadia, Burbank and Crescenta Valley.
Western Nelson is back after a sophomore season in which he earned first-team all-league honors, while senior Jonathan Alpizar had a successful track and field campaign, finishing sixth at the CIF Southern Section Division II CIF Finals in the 1,600 (4:24).
Junior Dustin Blankenship and sophomore Andres Carrasco — who Peebles said is much improved — along with junior Patrick Strube, will be looked upon to contribute.
Looking to join the six on the varsity squad are seniors Bryce Burton, Eddie Garcia and Chase Western, juniors Brandon Barbello and Nathan Hentz and sophomore David Campos.
Competing in the postseason got a little more difficult for the Bulldogs, who have been moved up from Division II to Division I.
“I admit that initially we were a little bummed out about the move because we felt if everything fell into place, we might be able to contend for a CIF championship at the Division II level,” said Marca, whose team qualified for the CIF prelims in 2006. “But then we had a team meeting and decided that the extra competition would only make us better. At that point we started looking forward to the challenge of taking on all the big boys across the state.”
Leading the attack for the Bulldogs will be senior Ryan Williams, who is coming off a 9:29 effort in the 3,200 during the track season.
“Ryan is the first legitimate front-runner we have had since I began coaching at Burbank High School,” March said.
“This summer he has been more focused than I’ve ever seen him. And in the past when he’s been zeroed in on what he needs to accomplish, he’s pulled off some stunning performances.”
Backing up Williams will be the sophomore duo of Greg Dotson and Aaron Chen, followed by junior Adib Younan, and seniors Jeff Prutz and Brent Dell. Sophomore Anthony Moumjian and junior Alberto Velasquez will likely battle it out for the final varsity spot.
The Burbank girls’ team (third last season) is experiencing a youth movement, led by freshman April Hishinuma and sophomores Jennifer Velasquez and Victoria Bruner. Juniors Kristina Amela, Amanda Songstad and Agnes Kirakosyan should also be key contributors.Marca said freshman McKenzie Paul has also shown a lot of potential during summer practice and should contribute to the program, either on varsity or on the defending league champion freshman-sophomore squad.
“The girls’ team is so young it is hard to predict exactly what they are capable of this year,” Marca said. “I have been extremely impressed with what I’ve seen, though. They will be much improved from last year and their depth will allow plenty of room for growth in the following years.”
The Guards girls’ team returns many of the runners who helped the program notch a Santa Cruz League championship last season.
The squad’s main weapon is Gonzalez. Last season, she won the league championship and advanced to state competition, placing 12th in her Division V race in 19:31.
“I have never seen Gaby so focused,” Morgan said. “She has really been working hard and I expect big things from her this season. She is going to be trying to win a division title.”
Returning to help the cause are junior Valentina Gonzalez and sophomore Giovanna Gonzalez — Gaby’s sisters — senior Ani Akopian and juniors Jenny Cruz and Maddy Longoria, a transfer who Morgan said has been running well.
Unfortunately for Bell-Jeff, they will be without Joelle Hajj, who is concentrating on basketball, and Alana Segura, who is focusing on her duties with the Associated Student Body.
As for the Bell-Jeff boys, the team has fine returning talent in seniors Jonathan Ibrahim, Andrew McCatric, Jonathan Montalbon and Christian Rivera.
Two sophomores who had success last year are Bryan Encerrado and Christian Reyes, who will be called on to help the team.
“We didn’t make it to CIF last season on the boys’ side, and we are hoping to get back to it this season,” Morgan said.
The squad did lose Josh Lepe to graduation. Lepe qualified for the CIF prelims last season.
Pioneers Coach Michelle Boucher said she will have small teams on the boys’ and girls’ side this season.
“I think a lot of the teams in the league are going to have small teams this year,” said Boucher, whose squads compete in the Liberty League.”
Neither of the Providence teams qualified for the postseason last season.
On the boys’ side, junior David Brill is expected to be the team’s No. 1 runner.
For the girls, senior newcomer Catherine Carreon should lead the way. Senior Abby Ronqrillo will be the squad’s captain.
In one way or another, Burroughs, Burbank, Bellarmine-Jefferson and Providence have been affected by the fires that ravished Griffith Park in May.
The fire that scorched more than 817 acres burned many of the trails in the park. Unfortunately, it also burnt areas around two cross-country courses that are used by the Indians, Bulldogs and Guards.
As a result, local meets and the 34th Bellarmine/Griffith Park Cross-Country Invitational have had to be moved.
“Basically, our course is unusable this year because of the fires,” Burroughs Coach John Peebles said. “They have blocked some of the trails behind the zoo where we usually run
they’re all fenced off.
“It’s unfortunate that we can’t run on our own course, but that’s the way it goes.”
Bell-Jeff Coach Mike Morgan, whose teams’ home course is near the Greek Theater, said he is searching for a place to hold the school’s invitational.
“We were hoping to hold it on the side the Burbank and Burroughs usually use, but we don’t know if that will be possible,” he said. “It has been tough for us.”
The annual Burbank All-City Meet — featuring all the local schools — scheduled for Sept. 5, has been moved from Griffith Park to Providence’s home course in Johnny Carson Park.
The event should feature the area’s top two female runners in seniors Sadee Martinez of Burroughs and Gaby Gonzalez of Bell-Jeff. Martinez has won the meet the past two seasons.
“Gaby is really looking forward to facing Sadee in that race,” Morgan said. “She didn’t run well and had some problems in the race last year.
“I think having the race at Providence, where it is flatter, will be better for Gaby. Hopefully, she can use her speed to her advantage.”
Burbank and Burroughs’ first Pacific League meet, scheduled for Sept. 19, has been moved from Griffith Park to Crescenta Valley Park.
Burbank Coach Trevor Marca said he is hoping the schools will be able to return to their home course next season. However, as of now, that is yet to be determined.
With the season set to begin next week, here is a closer look at the teams:
The Indians girls’ team returns the top female runner in the area in Martinez.
Martinez — the 2006-07 Leader Female Athlete of the Year — is coming off a stellar season. Along with capturing the All-City championship, she finished third in the league finals, as Burroughs notched a second-place finish.
She was able to surprise many by progressing through postseason races and earning a spot in state competition. In November, Martinez ran strongly in the Division I cross-country State Meet at Woodward Park in Fresno, placing 20th in 18 minutes 43 seconds. Her time was the 65th fastest of the 928 girls in five division races on the day.
She is the first cross-country runner from the school to qualify for state competition, something she also accomplished in the 1,600 meters during the track and field season.
Helping the Indians in their attempt to qualify for the postseason for the seventh time in the last eight years will be returning seniors Veronica Eyo and Kerry Hodgins and sophomores Angie Martinez and Monique Martinez. Senior Cristina Perez, juniors Taryn Campos and Vivian Ochoa, sophomores Lauren Andrade and Kristy Payne and freshman Tessa Chandler will get a shot at earning varsity spots.
Peebles said he has high expectations for his squad.
“All I want to see from any runner, Sadee included, is continued hard work and improvement,” he said. “I think that everybody should be capable of that.”
Although Burroughs — which qualified for the postseason last year — returns five of seven runners from a team that placed third in league, Peebles said his Indians should face tough competition from Arcadia, Burbank and Crescenta Valley.
Western Nelson is back after a sophomore season in which he earned first-team all-league honors, while senior Jonathan Alpizar had a successful track and field campaign, finishing sixth at the CIF Southern Section Division II CIF Finals in the 1,600 (4:24).
Junior Dustin Blankenship and sophomore Andres Carrasco — who Peebles said is much improved — along with junior Patrick Strube, will be looked upon to contribute.
Looking to join the six on the varsity squad are seniors Bryce Burton, Eddie Garcia and Chase Western, juniors Brandon Barbello and Nathan Hentz and sophomore David Campos.
Competing in the postseason got a little more difficult for the Bulldogs, who have been moved up from Division II to Division I.
“I admit that initially we were a little bummed out about the move because we felt if everything fell into place, we might be able to contend for a CIF championship at the Division II level,” said Marca, whose team qualified for the CIF prelims in 2006. “But then we had a team meeting and decided that the extra competition would only make us better. At that point we started looking forward to the challenge of taking on all the big boys across the state.”
Leading the attack for the Bulldogs will be senior Ryan Williams, who is coming off a 9:29 effort in the 3,200 during the track season.
“Ryan is the first legitimate front-runner we have had since I began coaching at Burbank High School,” March said.
“This summer he has been more focused than I’ve ever seen him. And in the past when he’s been zeroed in on what he needs to accomplish, he’s pulled off some stunning performances.”
Backing up Williams will be the sophomore duo of Greg Dotson and Aaron Chen, followed by junior Adib Younan, and seniors Jeff Prutz and Brent Dell. Sophomore Anthony Moumjian and junior Alberto Velasquez will likely battle it out for the final varsity spot.
The Burbank girls’ team (third last season) is experiencing a youth movement, led by freshman April Hishinuma and sophomores Jennifer Velasquez and Victoria Bruner. Juniors Kristina Amela, Amanda Songstad and Agnes Kirakosyan should also be key contributors.Marca said freshman McKenzie Paul has also shown a lot of potential during summer practice and should contribute to the program, either on varsity or on the defending league champion freshman-sophomore squad.
“The girls’ team is so young it is hard to predict exactly what they are capable of this year,” Marca said. “I have been extremely impressed with what I’ve seen, though. They will be much improved from last year and their depth will allow plenty of room for growth in the following years.”
The Guards girls’ team returns many of the runners who helped the program notch a Santa Cruz League championship last season.
The squad’s main weapon is Gonzalez. Last season, she won the league championship and advanced to state competition, placing 12th in her Division V race in 19:31.
“I have never seen Gaby so focused,” Morgan said. “She has really been working hard and I expect big things from her this season. She is going to be trying to win a division title.”
Returning to help the cause are junior Valentina Gonzalez and sophomore Giovanna Gonzalez — Gaby’s sisters — senior Ani Akopian and juniors Jenny Cruz and Maddy Longoria, a transfer who Morgan said has been running well.
Unfortunately for Bell-Jeff, they will be without Joelle Hajj, who is concentrating on basketball, and Alana Segura, who is focusing on her duties with the Associated Student Body.
As for the Bell-Jeff boys, the team has fine returning talent in seniors Jonathan Ibrahim, Andrew McCatric, Jonathan Montalbon and Christian Rivera.
Two sophomores who had success last year are Bryan Encerrado and Christian Reyes, who will be called on to help the team.
“We didn’t make it to CIF last season on the boys’ side, and we are hoping to get back to it this season,” Morgan said.
The squad did lose Josh Lepe to graduation. Lepe qualified for the CIF prelims last season.
Pioneers Coach Michelle Boucher said she will have small teams on the boys’ and girls’ side this season.
“I think a lot of the teams in the league are going to have small teams this year,” said Boucher, whose squads compete in the Liberty League.”
Neither of the Providence teams qualified for the postseason last season.
On the boys’ side, junior David Brill is expected to be the team’s No. 1 runner.
For the girls, senior newcomer Catherine Carreon should lead the way. Senior Abby Ronqrillo will be the squad’s captain.
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