La Mirada High School

Last weekend the Matadores varsity squads traveled to UC Irvine to watch alumni Stephanie Felix and Jared Bird race for their respective teams. As inspirational as it was to see former teammates performing at an advanced level, it was also an emotional reunion for the Lady Mats, who struggled all summer to step out of the shadow cast by their former teammate.

It appears that neither opposing teams nor interested spectators are giving the girls a chance to leave the "Felix years" behind. At the Bosco Tech Invite, for example, as soon as they donned their uniforms to warm-up, teams were heard saying, "Look, it's a team of mini Stephanies!" Even Jared Bird chimed in with a message to the girls: "Losing Stephanie is big." And, when captains Melissa Byrd and Lauren McIntyre were interviewed by a reporter from the Whittier Daily News, one of the first questions asked was, "What's it going to be like for the team to compete without your star runner?" Melissa and Lauren, fielding the questions in stride, replied, "We know it's going to be hard living up to the last three seasons, but the fact is, we're stronger, faster, and better this year." It didn't take long to make their point.

While there were no "1st Place" medals handed out to individuals or the team, the girls were able to walk away from the Invitational with a strong showing and a 3rd Place Award in the Large School Division, just behind Arcadia High School and just ahead of Serrano HS. Gutsy performances in the hottest and last race of the day by the sophomore trio -- Celinda Manzo, Aja Labasan, and Ashley Casanover -- and strong leadership from their upper class teammates -- Melissa Byrd, Bianca Ceballos, Olivia Crigler, and Paulina Tapia allowed the girls to maintain their streak of successes at recent invitationals. Bianca was named the Lady Mats "Athlete of the Meet" for her performance.

Third Place Honors for the Lady Mats

On the boy's side, while there were some disappointments, there were many more reasons to look forward to a bright future. Led by senior, Andrew Garza, who earned a 30 second PR, the boys team time was almost a minute faster than last year's -- on a more difficult course! A huge lift to the team was provided by the reappearance of Andrew Herrick, Richard Marquez, and Mateo Cordova, the numbers 4, 5, and 6 runners. While Herrick and Marquez earned their varsity colors at the meet, Cordova established himself as a contender for a top 5 spot. Coming off a severe injury that prevented him from running much over the summer, Mateo's strong performance earned him the Matadores "Athlete of the Meet" designation. And, while rookies Clint Bales and Paul Rael nearly broke into the Top 10 list of Freshmen runners in their first race, sophomore, Regan Garcia, placed himself in the #3 spot amongst 10th graders, just ahead of Jared Bird.

A large group of first time harriers made this the largest group from La Mirada to run in an opening day race in the past 10 years! We wish them well and know they will continue the fine Matadores tradition of success.

Boys:  In 2007 the Matadores raced as a pack and earned six varsity uniforms at the annual time trail.  This season, led by Andrew Garza who crushed the school time trial record in route to his course PR, they managed only three.  The good news is that Regan Garcia and Michael Palmer, both of whom finished just behind Garza, are closing the gap on the front runner.  Additionally, freshmen Clint Bales and Paul Rael, and sophomore Frankie Nogales were just behind Andrew Herrick and Richard Marquez over the hilly terrain.  The boys were bolstered after the race when they added six new runners to the team and also learned that senior Mateo Codova is cleared to compete.

Garza leads from start to finish and establishes a new Time Trial Record

Girls:  A new era for the Lady Mats began last weekend at the team's annual time trial.  On a team dominated by underclass freshmen and sophomores, the girls showed they plan to remain strong in 2008.  Although their team time was 1 minute slower than last season's team at the time trial, the gap was a narrow 75 seconds.  Last season the gap between the #1 finisher, Stephanie Felix, and #2, was 90 seconds!  This season, led by sophomore, Celinda Manzo, six Lady Mats earned their varsity stripes on the difficult 3-mile course.  Close behind Celinda was junior, Lauren McIntyre, who cruised to the finish ahead of senior, Melissa Byrd and sophomore, Ashley Casanover.   A chase pack of sophomore, Aja Labasan and junior, Paulina Tapia ran the course together and earned career PRs.  Juniors Bianca Ceballos and Olivia Crigler narrowly missed the cut off for the varsity squad but intend to earn a spot at this week's Bosco Tech Invite.  Of the 10 remaining girls who competed, eight were rookies running their first race!

After the race, four captains were named to lead the 37 member girls team and two captain were named to lead the boys.  2008 captains are Lauren McIntyre, Melissa Byrd, Andrea Landeros, Chelsea Eubanks, Michael Palmer and Andrew Garza.

2008 Varsity Six: Melissa, Aja, Lauren, Ashley, Celinda, & Paulina