2012 Boys Cross Country Preview

With the graduation of cross-country standout Sean Davis, the title of top runner for the Warriors is up for grabs this season.  Runners will have their first chance to claim that title Saturday at the 4th annual Watermelon Run at UC Santa Cruz.

Setting team and individual records in every race last season it was a breakthrough year for the Warriors.  Davis, who will run for UCLA this season, won the CCS Individual title and led the fastest team in school history to their best finish ever since joining WCAL.  While Davis’ accolades last season were impressive it was the depth of the Warriors squad that was the backbone of their record setting season.

The team returns a strong core of runners including Seniors Eyobed Mesfun, Ryan Ensor and Alex Ascencio.  Mesfun was the top finisher in last year’s WCAL Championship and went on to have a breakthrough track season running 4:42 for 1600 meters and 10:26 for 3200.  “He has put in consistent miles this summer and has been impressive to start the season,” Coach Small said.  “He has put in the work, now he just needs to translate that to races.”

Ryan Ensor has been a force the past two years for the Warriors.  The top runner in 2010 Ensor ran running the majority of the year in the #2 spot.  A baseball player in the spring Ensor has been focused on getting to the section meet this season and is a core leader to this year’s team. Another returner Alex Ascencio has been running with a purpose in early season practices and stepping into a top varsity role. He is the Warriors #3 returner from last season. 

Samual Han is also running with a purpose, to make Varsity.  Motivated to get into the top 7 the sophomore has worked hard this summer and is indeed fighting for a varsity spot this season.  “This year it is going to take a lot of hard work, harder than I have worked before because we have a lot of great runners this year," Han said in regards to this year's team.  "I’ll be trying my best to crank out those times I need to add to the team.”

While a solid core of returning runners bring experience a slew of new comers are expected to play a huge role this year.  Sophomores Nathan Lynch and Jason Li are expected to have immediate impact and challenge for a varsity spot this season.  Freshman Jeremy Dong been impressive this early season and is expected to be a major contributor this season.  2012 looks to be another record breaking season for the Warriors.

The Warriors open their season at the Watermelon Run team time trial this Saturday.