2017 Cross Country Season Wrap Up

After a strong 2016 season, the Women’s team had one returning runner, Captain Jessica Mendez and two new incoming freshman, Alyssa Clark, and Ariana Gonzalez. These three worked together as a team in trainings and competitions.  Alyssa Clark came into this season with less experience than many other freshman runners, but this did not affect her confidence or competitive nature. Clark ran in every race and topped her season off by qualifying for state and finishing100th overall with a time of 20:47.  Ariana Gonzalez had a tough season due to injuries, but succeeded in completing several races. Captain Jessica Mendez worked hard in her final season as a Viking to qualify for State.  Mendez placed 55th overall breaking the 20 minute barrier (19:59) and smashing her previous state time by 28 seconds. “As long as we stick to Coach Pierson’s plan we will always progress and do well in our races.” -Mendez

The Men’s team returned four runners from the previous season and several new freshman.  The team started the season with high expectations and paired these expectations with hard work in each week’s trainings, led by Co-Captains Kevin Orellana and Ata Ozmen.  Orellana was the front-runner for Vikings at state, running extremely well, placing 15th overall and shattered his time from the previous year by nearly a minute and 20 seconds.  Notably, Orellana also earned All-State Honorable-Mention status.  Luis Ramirez was a part of the deep freshman class and ran a strong and consistent season for the Vikings. Ramirez finished his first year as a Viking, by placing 75th overall in State with a time of 21:50.  Jordan Bandtell and John (JJ) Perez were next to finish for the Vikings placing 105th and 111th, with respective times of 22:15 and 22:22. Both shaved nearly two and a half minutes off their times from the beginning of the season. Sophomore runner Sayed Opeyany was128th recording a time of 22:42, beating his previous time at the course by close to 30 seconds. Parker Shields, another member of the freshman class, was 160th overall in 23:36.  Sophomore Ben Schoffstall consistently improved throughout his tenure as a Viking. Freshman Solen Tadesse finished his season by running a 22:47 in the Big 8 Championship, improving his first time of the season by over four minutes. Edgar Salazar worked quietly, but efficiently improving his 4-mile time by over seven minutes.  

League and conference accolades for the Vikings included: Kevin Orellana - Big 8 Individual Champion and CCCAA All-State Honorable Mention, Luis Ramirez and Jordan Bandtell - 1st Team All-Conference, Parker Shields and Sayed Opeyany both - 2nd Team All-Conference, and Jessica Mendez 2nd Team All-Conference.

The Men’s team ended their season by winning the Big 8 Championship, 4th in the NorCal region and 12th at the state championships! After finishing as one of the best Men’s Vikings team in recent years, they now look to build and grow next year with many returning runners. The depth and experience of this season’s freshman class will lay the foundation for a successful year in 2018. The Women’s team returns two strong runners, Clark and Gonzalez.  Congratulations to all of the Viking athletes, coaches, and supporters for a successful 2017 season.