By Kristen Runyan
LHS Cross Country Coach
For the first time in 31 years, the Lassen High School boys’ varsity cross country team competed at the California CIF State Cross Country Championships, at Woodward Park in Fresno, on Saturday November 30th.
Varsity boys competitors included Jesse Lopez, Andrew Alcaraz, Ethan Williams, Ellis Dockery, Curtis Mallery, Rocklin Albonico, and Evan Neuenschwander. Individual State qualifiers were varsity girls Kimberly McKernan, and Cheyenne White.
All athletes delivered a commendable race, competing with some of the top high school runners in the nation. Lassen athletes ran in the division 4 races, each consisting of 201 athletes representing the top teams and individuals from across the state.
We are so incredibly proud of this team and what they’ve been able to accomplish this year, especially as most are freshmen, sophomores or first time runners.
People have been asking, “Did they win?” We may not have won State, and that can be a dream for the future, but earning the opportunity to compete at that level was the win. It is an incredible experience for these athletes and helps inspire vision and understanding for what it takes to become a top athlete.
Witnessing these races, it was a quick reminder why it’s been 31 years since the team competed. California is notably the most competitive and difficult to qualify and stand out at the state level. Due to our size, population, and depth of talent in California, the State meet showcases some of the most talented high school runners in the USA. I have no doubt that there were future Olympic athletes competing in those races.
We competed with the best of the best, and I am so proud that Lassen athletes were among them.
Cross country is more than just lacing up the running shoes and going for a run. These athletes have been training over 100 days putting in 4-10 miles a day to reach their goals. They train by doing easy pace long runs, recovery runs, speed training, 800-1000 meter intervals, mile repeats, and hill workouts.
They’ve learned that 10 times over the peak of Coyote Hill in Ranch Park is 5 miles. They’ve learned they can max out the treadmill (thank you Anytime Fitness) at 5-minute mile pace on an incline.
There are some grueling workouts we put them through, but they have a very special team camaraderie. We say we work hard, but we play hard too. They enjoy swimming in the Susanville River after a long run on the Biz. They bond over team dinners and play laser tag and go-carts after a race.
The unique aspect of cross country is it is a sport where you compete against others, and yourself. Each race is an opportunity to perform a personal best time. We’re always hungry for those PRs (personal records) as it is a tangible way to see your improvement in mental toughness, skill and racing strategy.
Kimberlee ran a time of 19:20 and Rocklin finished at 17:42. Both are returning athletes at the State meet, ran a person time for the 5k and ran a strong race.
Curtis Mallery is the only upperclassman that raced at State and he ran a PR 5K time of 19:52.
For all other athletes, it was their first 5K varsity race of the season and they all raced well. Chyenne finished in 21:54, Andrew 18:39, Ellis 19:52, Jesse 19:00, Evan 20:27, and Ethan 21:05.
We want to thank the community for all their generosity, love and support as LHS cross country prepared and traveled to the State Championship.
