Runners Reach New Highs in Standings
The cross country team, after BVALs and CCS, sent one athlete to CIF states.
By Sydney Teves
The cross country team, after BVALs and CCS, sent one athlete to CIF states.
By Sydney Teves
Despite having athletes behind in their conditioning because of COVID-19 restrictions and limited seasons last year, the Pioneer cross country teams returned to winning form this season, with some athletes going all the way to state finals.
At Blossom Valley Athletic League finals on Monday, Nov. 1, the boys side brought home first place, and the girls took second. Two weeks later, at Central Coast Sectionals on Nov. 14, senior Bella Peretti won the Division II final with the fastest time recorded for all women at the event, qualifying for California Interscholastic Federation finals in the process.
“Pioneer has never had the boys’ team win BVAL and the girls’ team place second in BVAL in the same year. Both teams were pretty dominant all season,” said coach Marc Klemencic. “It is really incredible that Pioneer is regarded as the top cross country school in BVAL this year.”
In addition to the first and second place finishes, seven girls and seven boys went to CCS, where the girls got fourth place and the boys got sixth.
“Our CCS race was very difficult because I had to drop due to a hamstring strain and one of our top runners, Jeff (Hedlund), passed out and also had to drop out,” said Finlay McAfee, 11.
Because of the unfortunate injuries at the CCS race, no one from the boys team made it to states. While at states, Peretti got tenth place out of 189 other competitors in the individual race for Division II girls and for the combined girls times, which includes all divisions, she got thirty-fifth place out of the total 977 girl competitors.
Injuries were just part of the challenges the program faced this year. There were also lingering issues related to the pandemic and restrictions that resulted from it, and the teams were also facing tougher competition having moved up a division.
“The biggest problem is that our district would not allow travel to invitationals farther than 100 miles away. That caused us to miss out on a big invitational in Southern California that would have been a great experience for the team,” said Klemencic.
Despite the team missing out on opportunities throughout the season, they worked hard and it eventually paid off at BVALs and beyond.
As an alternate for the team, Bella Henkels 10, was able to experience races that she otherwise would not have been able to, and in that she gained valuable insight for the future.
“It was so fun going to BVALs and CCS. Even though I didn’t run, it was super cool to experience. I understand what it’s like if I go in later years,” said Henkels. “It felt super rewarding.”
As a freshman, Liam Brough, 9, is new to the team and learned lessons about overcoming challenges during the season.
“The most rewarding part is the start of the season and meeting new people. Met some good friends, and the challenging part is all mental. You just have to keep pushing when you think you can’t,” said Brough.
After going through a hard year and a season filled with multiple difficulties, both teams had an incredibly successful season.
“The team did awesome this year after moving up to the Mount Hamilton Division,” said Klemencic. “I couldn’t be more proud of the effort the team had and how they pushed through any difficulties and supported each other... of all the years I have coached this is probably the best all-around team in both athleticism and personal character I have had with some of the best and most supportive parents.”
At Blossom Valley Athletic League finals on Monday, Nov. 1, the boys side brought home first place, and the girls took second. Two weeks later, at Central Coast Sectionals on Nov. 14, senior Bella Peretti won the Division II final with the fastest time recorded for all women at the event, qualifying for California Interscholastic Federation finals in the process.
“Pioneer has never had the boys’ team win BVAL and the girls’ team place second in BVAL in the same year. Both teams were pretty dominant all season,” said coach Marc Klemencic. “It is really incredible that Pioneer is regarded as the top cross country school in BVAL this year.”
In addition to the first and second place finishes, seven girls and seven boys went to CCS, where the girls got fourth place and the boys got sixth.
“Our CCS race was very difficult because I had to drop due to a hamstring strain and one of our top runners, Jeff (Hedlund), passed out and also had to drop out,” said Finlay McAfee, 11.
Because of the unfortunate injuries at the CCS race, no one from the boys team made it to states. While at states, Peretti got tenth place out of 189 other competitors in the individual race for Division II girls and for the combined girls times, which includes all divisions, she got thirty-fifth place out of the total 977 girl competitors.
Injuries were just part of the challenges the program faced this year. There were also lingering issues related to the pandemic and restrictions that resulted from it, and the teams were also facing tougher competition having moved up a division.
“The biggest problem is that our district would not allow travel to invitationals farther than 100 miles away. That caused us to miss out on a big invitational in Southern California that would have been a great experience for the team,” said Klemencic.
Despite the team missing out on opportunities throughout the season, they worked hard and it eventually paid off at BVALs and beyond.
As an alternate for the team, Bella Henkels 10, was able to experience races that she otherwise would not have been able to, and in that she gained valuable insight for the future.
“It was so fun going to BVALs and CCS. Even though I didn’t run, it was super cool to experience. I understand what it’s like if I go in later years,” said Henkels. “It felt super rewarding.”
As a freshman, Liam Brough, 9, is new to the team and learned lessons about overcoming challenges during the season.
“The most rewarding part is the start of the season and meeting new people. Met some good friends, and the challenging part is all mental. You just have to keep pushing when you think you can’t,” said Brough.
After going through a hard year and a season filled with multiple difficulties, both teams had an incredibly successful season.
“The team did awesome this year after moving up to the Mount Hamilton Division,” said Klemencic. “I couldn’t be more proud of the effort the team had and how they pushed through any difficulties and supported each other... of all the years I have coached this is probably the best all-around team in both athleticism and personal character I have had with some of the best and most supportive parents.”