Varsity Boys Cross Country Season Preview

Sean Davis, the school record holder at 800, 1600 and 3200 meters joins the Warriors Cross Country team for his Senior year and will lead one of the most talented and motivated teams in school history. Davis, the 2011 WCAL Champion at 800 meters also brings a personal best of 4:21 for the mile and 9:59 for 2 miles. Turning his focus from the gridiron to the trails he has bumped up the mileage and will look to compete amongst the best in the WCAL and CCS.

The Warriors charge the battlefield!

The success of this year’s team will depend on more than the performance of one runner. It will need the best from a core of upperclassman that will be led by Ryan Ensor. Ensor was the Warrior’s top runner last season and in his first year running finished just one spot from qualifying for CCS last year and is eager to take his running to the next level. Playing baseball in the spring Ensor has worked hard this summer and has picked up right where he left off last season. “I am looking forward to the start of the season,” Ensor said. “I am looking for redemption.”

Eyobed Mesfun returns from an ankle injury that kept him from running last fall. Bringing focus and intensity to his training this fall he will be relied heavily as a key contributor on the varsity team. Mesfun ran 4:58 for 1600 meters last spring and was the top 3200 meter runner running 10:56 for 2 miles earning a spot on the Warriors all-time list. He was also the #2 for the Warriors in the 800 and 1600 meters behind Sean Davis.

Dustin Laucella has stepped into the leadership role this fall and will act as the team’s Captain. Laucella had a breakthrough spring running personal bests from the 400 meters to the 2 mile. He was the Warriors “Iron Man” this spring often running in 4 races for no other reason than he “didn’t like sitting around.” Running 5:12 for the 1600 and 11:22 for 2 miles he will look to have a breakthrough on the trail this fall. Suffering a broken toe in June after tripping on a rock he is back to full strength and will look to break 18 minutes for 3 miles this fall.

Another newcomer who is in his Senior year is Eric Ortiz. Ortiz is improving every week and has already worked his way into the Warriors top 5. Joining him in the battle of top 7 is Alex Ascencio. Ascencio is back for his Junior year and is working hard after a summer touring Europe. He ran 5:02 for 1600 meters last spring and has a 2 mile best of 11:37.

The boys team will have their sights on the CCS At-Large Standard of 86:14 as their goal this season as they set out to qualify for the CCS Championship. The Warriors open their season with their annual team time Trial on September 3rd.