The Mt. SAC Men's Cross Country Team is racing towards the start of what promises to be an exciting season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Jenna Bird, the team looks strong and they are ready to go for the three-peat. With an active roster of 40 runners, including experienced returnees and promising newcomers, the team is poised for success. The top eight will advance to the state meet, with the top seven competing for the title.
Standout returners include team captain Jude Enriquez and Aidan Gomez. Coach Bird commended Enriquez noting, "Jude is one of the best captains we've had in a long time. He's very conscious of ways to bring the team together and has made a big impact in facilitating team culture." Freshman Austin Ledgerwood, who missed last year's cross country season to compete for USA at Junior Worlds in Columbia, is also expected to contribute significantly to the team's performance this season.
Coach Bird highlights the program's tradition of excellence saying, "These past couple of years have been outstanding because our cross country and track programs are so strong and interconnected. Cross country has such a family dynamic and it's awesome to see how former athletes have progressed and how our program has evolved. To be attracting top talent from around the state is really fun and also highly beneficial for us."
The men's team has show resilience in the face of tough competition and their journey has been compelling. "We've encountered schools that are recruiting high-quality athletes and forming talented teams," Bird explained, "and we've risen to the challenge every time." Three years ago, the women's team won the state title and the men's team came up 16 points short of San Diego Mesa in an upsetting defeat. However, they battled back the next year and have become one of the premier teams in the state.
As for this season's goals, Coach Bird aims for overall improvement in every athlete. "There is always the goal to win conference, regionals and the state championship," Bird stated, "but I also want to see our athletes transfer to other institutions after their time here." She acknowledges that the path to the state title will be challenging, but is eager to see how her athletes deliver when it counts.
Bird enjoyed watching the Olympics over the summer and discussing it with her team. "It made some of them a little more attentive to being students of the sport," Bird said. "They are starting to recognize top athletes and it is inspiring them to realize their own potential." She also noted that there were a lot of junior college athletes competing in the Olympics, particularly in track and field.
The Men's Cross Country Team has their first event on Saturday, August 31, at 8:00 AM at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea, CA. The Mark Covert Classic, hosted by Cal State Fullerton, features an 8k course, which is slightly longer than traditional courses. This will provide Coach Bird with an opportunity to evaluate everyone's level of fitness and the team's overall performance. Stay tuned to see how their hard work and preparation translate into results on the course.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.