LA MIRADA, CA - The Dons will face a good test on Thursday against league opponents on Thursday at La Mirada Regional Park. The varsity races will begin at 3:45pm and will begin with the girls varsity race.
La Mirada has not lost a league meet since 2000, however, have faced a few close calls to the Dons over the past three years. The Dons have hovered around a few points of the Matadors in what ends up begin a dual meet score with La Mirada/Cerritos normally taking the top 12-14 positions. Cerritos will have 6 of 7 of their squad missing sophomore Connie Caliz who is now training after facing a slight soccer injury this summer. Seniors Jessica Sunio and Gina Tai will hope to break up the 1-2 pack of state qualifier Taylor Jones and Celinda Manzo to give the Dons the advantage. Emily de Boer will look to hold off the pack of Kathia Avila, Jennifer Park, and Athalia Magana. Ashley Casanover is recovering from a torn meniscus and will hope to break up the Dons pack along with Nicole Hammonds and Czarina de Jesus all of whom, except the latter, having run under the 20 minute mark. The last two athletes will be a race day decision for the Dons who had sophomore Erika Resultay surge to the Dons #5 position this weekend with a 5th place finish at the Bell-Jeff Invitational.
The boys race will be a five team race, as the defending league champions look tough, however, have a strong contingent behind them. The Dons, who have graduated seven varsity athletes since their last league title in 2008, including front-runner Thien-Nam To who won 7 of his 12 races that year, have rebuilt themselves. While the consistency of the Dons has not arrived yet, the inexperience of the Dons seems to be an advantage as the team has improved every meet and has shown signs that they will be ready come season's end. Behind sophomore Ganesh Tilve (ABC District Champion Runner-up), the Dons will look to challenge. La Mirada's Regan Garcia and Mayfair's Brandon Taylor will battle up front for the individual crown with the team race which includes Norwalk, Cerritos, and Bellflower as well, taking place behind them.
La Mirada has not lost a league meet since 2000, however, have faced a few close calls to the Dons over the past three years. The Dons have hovered around a few points of the Matadors in what ends up begin a dual meet score with La Mirada/Cerritos normally taking the top 12-14 positions. Cerritos will have 6 of 7 of their squad missing sophomore Connie Caliz who is now training after facing a slight soccer injury this summer. Seniors Jessica Sunio and Gina Tai will hope to break up the 1-2 pack of state qualifier Taylor Jones and Celinda Manzo to give the Dons the advantage. Emily de Boer will look to hold off the pack of Kathia Avila, Jennifer Park, and Athalia Magana. Ashley Casanover is recovering from a torn meniscus and will hope to break up the Dons pack along with Nicole Hammonds and Czarina de Jesus all of whom, except the latter, having run under the 20 minute mark. The last two athletes will be a race day decision for the Dons who had sophomore Erika Resultay surge to the Dons #5 position this weekend with a 5th place finish at the Bell-Jeff Invitational.
The boys race will be a five team race, as the defending league champions look tough, however, have a strong contingent behind them. The Dons, who have graduated seven varsity athletes since their last league title in 2008, including front-runner Thien-Nam To who won 7 of his 12 races that year, have rebuilt themselves. While the consistency of the Dons has not arrived yet, the inexperience of the Dons seems to be an advantage as the team has improved every meet and has shown signs that they will be ready come season's end. Behind sophomore Ganesh Tilve (ABC District Champion Runner-up), the Dons will look to challenge. La Mirada's Regan Garcia and Mayfair's Brandon Taylor will battle up front for the individual crown with the team race which includes Norwalk, Cerritos, and Bellflower as well, taking place behind them.
RSS Feed