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Monterey Bay League Cross-Country Championship
Preview - Gustavo Ibarra
North Monterey County - Nathan Huerta of NMC at
Clovis!!
Boys
The North Monterey County Condors return to defend their 2002 title and
seek their 7th title in the last 10 years. They are currently ranked 1st
in CCS and 1st in State DIII. They have enjoyed a very succesful 2003
campaign with an undefeated dual meet record, victories at Stanford and
Clovis, and runner-up showings at Earlybird and Ed-Sias. They have recently
been plagued by illness and freak non-running injuries but now seem to
be over those and on an up-swing. They look to have a great championship
run in November. Look for them to put all seven scorers in the top 10.
Last year they placed 7 in the top 8! The Condors are led by Nathan Huerta
(11) who has enjoyed an amazing breakthrough season. Joining the elite
California runners, Nathan has posted several victories at large invitationals
as well as top finishes among the best California has to offer. Nathan
has dipped under 15:00 for 3 miles and has mentioned that he would like
to take a shot at Jeremy Mineau’s 15:21 course record at Toro Park.
Keli Parker (11), the Defending MBL Champ, will give the Condors a solid
1-2 punch followed by an army of experienced pack runners that have all
ran in the 16:00’s at Toro. They include, Jose “Pelon”
Garcia (11), Danny Tapia (12), Eric Padilla (12), Jose Garcia (12), and
up-and-coming Ivan Alfaro (10). Seaside very well may be the most improved
team in the league. The have a 4-1 dual meet record and have had impressive
showings at many invitationals. They are currently ranked 4th in CCS DIII.
They are led by Adalberto Corres (11) who has run the table in dual meet
competitions and has run impressive times in invitationals. Look for him
to be fighting for a top 3 finish. He will get some help from one of the
most improved runners in the league, sophomore Steven Thompson. Steven
has put in major miles in the last year and has seen his hard work pay
off. Seaside also wins the “toughest course award” for 2003
with the famous “beach”! Alvarez looks to be in the run for
a top 3 automatic CCS qualifying finish with their 3-2 dual meet record.
They are led by Chris Toler (11) that has run 17:34 at Toro this year.
Monterey comes in at 2-3 and is led by senior Roberto Lopez with a 17:30
Toro PR. The Toreadores will have to upset Alvarez or Seaside to advance
to CCS. Alisal has some good up-front running in sophomore Enrique Lopez
with his 17:05 Toro PR but needs to shore up some depth concerns if they
would like to make it to CCS. They also feature senior Liu Ibarra that
has laid low this season but could surprise. Monte Vista Christian represents
the league’s only DIV team and therefore will represent the league
at CCS with an automatic qualifying spot. They are led by hard working
Chance Carothers (11) who has paced the team throughout. In the JV and
Frosh/Soph divisions, North Monterey County has run the table in meets
this year and look to do very well with their large squad and crushing
depth. In fact, the JV team features Enoch Trujillo (11) and Mike Lucio
(12) that ran on their state meet team in 2002.
Girls
The North Monterey County girls also are looking to defend their 2002
title and should do it in fine style. They are currently ranked 6th in
CCS in the very competitive DIII. They feature a very strong pack that
has interchanged throughout the year. They are 5-0 in dual meets and have
had impressive showings at many invitationals. Look for them to be led
by one of several fine runners including Grecia Garcia (12). The senior
is looking to dip under 20:00 at Toro. She comes in with a 20:37 Toro
PR. Jessica Sanchez (12) has run 20:51 at Toro and could also challenge
for the win. Last year the Condors put 5 girls in the top 8. Look for
much the same this year. Alisal has looked great on the girls side and
comes in at 4-1 and looking to make some noise with their young squad.
They are ranked 8th in CCS DII. They are led by freshman Adeline Sanchez
that has ran 21:20 at Toro. Seaside is 3-2 and is looking for that coveted
top 3 finish that will get them to CCS. They are led by Jill Scott (12)
and Maddy Carriles (11). Alvarez is 2-3 and comes in ranked #9 in CCS
DII. They are led by Arlene Diaz Leal with her 21:29 Toro PR. Monterey
has senior Athena Pierre leading them. She has a 22:41 Toro PR. They come
in with a 1-4 record. Monte Vista Christian led by senior Allina Hightower
and sophomore Lauren Muir with five finishers will once again represent
the MBL at CCS in DIV. In the JV division, North Monterey County comes
in at 5-0 and has crushing depth that should be enough for a convincing
victory.
Good luck to all runners, it should be a great meet!! Races begin at 10:00
AM.
Gustavo Ibarra
MBL League Rep
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