La Mirada High School

As summer training comes to a close and fall races loom just ahead, the Matadores reaped the fruits of their increasingly faster paces, increased intensity, and longer workouts at the last of the annual Legg Lake races. This summer, the signature 3 x 2-mile T-pace runs they've endured since the first week of training paid off as almost every athlete earned a PR over the 2-mile course.

In what they hope will continue throughout the racing season, both the girls and the boys experienced more success than previous years at the cross country series. The boys, running short-handed, were led by Regan Garcia (10:07), who finished the race in 4th place overall. Rookie Jake Casalou was next in for the Matadores, followed by second year runners Clint Bales and Eric Wong.

Paced by La Mirada alumni Stephanie Felix (12:11), the girls were led by rookie Taylor Jones (12:08) and 2008 Suburban League Champion Celinda Manzo (12:12), who finished 1st and 2nd overall in the high school division. About a minute behind in the chase pack, the girls placed a strong pack of seven between 13 and 14 minutes. It turned out to be the largest team the Lady Mats have ever fielded at the race as well as the best team performance ever by a La Mirada girl's team. In addition to Jones and Manzo, both Aja Labasan and rookie Emily De Boer also earned medals.