Cross Country climbs its way to C.I.F.

[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ard work and talent landed the Boys Varsity Cross Country team a spot in the C.I.F. preliminary round on Nov. 1.
At the C.I.F. preliminaries at Mount San Antonio College, three out of seven varsity boys ran faster than their previous Mount SAC invitational race time earlier in the season. Leading his team in the race, Senior Thomas Rivers finished with his personal best of 17:35, with his training partner, Junior Vincent Tsang, only ten seconds behind. Multiple individual runners improved just as Rivers predicted, but no Temple City runner will be advancing.
“It’s a good thing that all the hard work we did during the season paid off, and this was our goal going into the season. A couple of years ago we almost made it to C.I.F., and this year we finally made it,” Rivers said. “I don’t know if we’ll advance, but I feel like we all improved; I just know we’ll do better.”
Some see cross country as less of a team sport, but during the race, the team is what motivates the competitors to push themselves. Even during practice, seeing the team train as a collective body of runners encourages runners like Senior Varsity Captain David Tran.
“My team helps me in the actual race and during practice because you see everyone working hard, and you know that if they can work hard, you can work hard, so you train harder,” Tran said. “Yet, as team captain, I know I always have to try my hardest to be an example.”
Hard work is one thing, but it’s pointless without quantity. Tran knows he has to balance hard work with training consistently in order to improve. Running with friends over the weekend and his set goals make the seemingly tedious task of running at least 35 miles a week simple and easy.
“Knowing I’ll get better keeps me training,” Tran said. “I feel stronger the next day. There’s a physical gratification to it.”
Coach Mike Tomasulo has been further leading his team by keeping them in their best condition with careful instruction and effective practices.
Coach Tomasulo emphasizes drinking plenty of fluids, before and after running so frequently, that it’s common to hear any of these runners tell you that staying hydrated at all times is one of the most important things.
“Over the weekend I try to drink a lot of water,” Rivers said. “It helps to stay away from junk food and soda.”