Cross Country

Steve Virgen HUNTINGTON BEACH - Although Estancia High girls cross country runner Liz Huipe came on a trial run the day before the real competition, the senior was still a bit confused with the course at Saturday's Huntington Beach Invitational at Central Park. "At first, I didn't know where to go," she said. Huipe, however, found her place. And it was out in front as she outdistanced the six-team Division II (small schools) field in the last half-mile of the three-mile race.

Tony Altobelli WALNUT - The locals were coming in by the truckload Saturday at the CIF Southern Section Division IV boys cross country preliminaries at Mt. San Antonio College. Estancia High's running machine continued to pound through the opposition, taking six of the top 18 spots in its heat. Leading the senior-less brigade for the Eagles was junior Luis Segoviano, who came in fifth place with a 16:03.3. Right behind Segoviano was junior Mike Casillas with a 16:07.

It was a sunny day March 20, in so many ways besides just the weather. Former high school cross-country and track teammates from nearly 40 years ago meet again, and it was like they had never left. Laguna Beach High’s track was officially named after former UC Irvine athlete and Laguna legend Eric Hulst, maybe the best distance runner in Orange County prep history. And, oh yeah, the Laguna Beach Trophy Invitational returned after a more-than-25-year absence for its 42nd incarnation.

First-year coaches Sarah Nguyen and Mike Sciacca have no set goals for their Costa Mesa High girls cross country team. During a five-day trip near Arrowhead Lake to camp, train in the high altitude and bond, the two coaches let their runners convene by themselves. "We want them to come up with their own set of goals," Sciacca said. "Cross country is supposed to be fun and teach you hard work pays off." There are no stars on this team. Jasmin Day, who finished fifth at the Golden West League finals last season, graduated.

Amber Steen grew up a few doors down from UC Irvine women's cross country and track and field coach Vince O'Boyle. But, until this past school year, O'Boyle had to follow her collegiate career from afar. The Newport Harbor High product, however, transferred from the University of Arizona to UCI for the 2005-06 campaign, then created some lasting memories for her coach and her teammates. Steen won the Big West Conference individual cross country title in the fall, helping the Anteaters also capture the team crown to highlight a 2005-06 women's athletic year that included several other noteworthy accomplishments.

Martin Gonzalez wears a lot of hats. Gonzalez is the men's cross country coach at Concordia University … and the women's cross country coach. He's also the men's track and field coach … and the women's track and field coach … and the track coach for both the men and women during the indoor season. In his 11 years at the school, Gonzalez has coached 126 NAIA All-Americans and 11 individual national champions, coached the 2000 women's cross country team to the school's first-ever NAIA championship in any sport, and guided the 2005 and '06 cross country teams to gender-combined national titles.

Newsflash - Woodbridge High has a good cross country program. OK, so maybe it's not news that Woodbridge's boys' and girls' teams once again are expected to be the teams to beat for the Pacific Coast League titles. But this year it's a little different at the top. Warriors coach George Varvas has stepped down to an assistant's role to create an opportunity for new head coach Bryan Pacheco. "It's exciting for me," said Pacheco, 37. "I enjoy cross country, I enjoy working with the kids and running with the kids.

Cross country running is not easy. In fact, it is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports one can find. The cross country athletes, teams and coaching staffs are usually lost amongst all the hype of the football and basketball seasons, but Woodbridge High's cross country teams have made noise, and a lot of people are taking notice. The Woodbridge girls' team, led by Nicole (Coco) Evans, qualified for the CIF state meet after finishing second in CIF Southern Section Division III Saturday at Mt. San Antonio College.

Maddie O'Connor and Annie Alvarado have known each other since they were 5 years old. They played AYSO together, then on rival club teams, before they reunited at Corona del Mar High. As the two prepare for the stretch run of their final season with the CdM girls' soccer team, they each made a big decision regarding their future after high school on Wednesday. In the next stage of their lives, they won't be on the same team. Alvarado and O'Connor still shared a special moment as they signed national letters of intent with the UCLA and UC Santa Barbara women's soccer programs, respectively.

Ryan Bousquet Born: Dec. 8, 1981 Height: 5-foot-9 Weight: 140 Sport: Cross country Year: Sophomore High school: Esperanza Coaches: John Goldman, Dave Fier Major: Business/architecture Favorite food: Pasta Favorite movie: "Gone in 60 Seconds" Best athletic moment: Finishing second at the track nationals my senior year. Athlete of the Week XII: Won California State cross country championships. Michelle Icban Born: Oct. 8, 1983 Height: 5-foot-2 Weight: 94 Sport: Cross country Year: Freshman High school: Cypress Coaches: John Goldman, Dave Fier Major: Liberal studies Favorite food: Chicken and pasta Favorite movie: "Erin Brockovich" Best athletic moment: Helping the women's team win state.