A couple days ago, the mens and womens teams were handed their first two losses of the season in league play to Foothill and Green Valley. Our athletes were told to use the day as a good workout day, but some of their times would make you think otherwise...

On the boys side, the whole mens pack started off their first mile with little effort, with Carl Greene (Foothill) leading a pack of runners. Jonny Stiles, who was instructed to start off slower than usual stuck to his game plan, and was only about 15 seconds off of Carl in the first mile. He was about in 10th place, but after that first mile he just started picking kids off to give himself a third place finish. Most importantly he hit a new PR of 17:44.8, which would have placed him 8th, and gave him a trip to state in last year's Sunrise Regional Championships. Beast! Kaleb Stumbaugh ran an easy 18:30, just using the day as a good workout. Foothill's/Basic's Kyler Campbell ran an 18:37 also using the day as a good workout. Another good performance on the male side was senior leader Stephan Maman. Maman ran a new PR of 18:42.6. He just keeps on improving. This week in practice, Stephan also beasted the shit out of Thursday's hard workout day, running an average 3:25 1000 for 6 1000s. That would be a 5k time of 17:05 :0 The joke of the mens team, Noah Pinto didn't have himself the best day. He will probably keep getting worse in my opinion, and I don't think the team can rely on him come regionals. He is close to being kicked off the team. Will Gibbs of Basic had himself a good day, hitting a new PR of 19:41.1. I was quite impressed with "Wildo's" performance on Tuesday. He makes me proud, and he is starting to have a better attitude towards reaching his new goal of cutting down his time every meet. Other runners for Basic didn't do their best, but like I said...it was a workout day.

On the womens side of the meet, junior Erika Oceguera once again ran great running a new PR of 21:48.5. Way to go Erika! But she won't stop there. She can run sub 21:00. Another great run by Natasha Tomlinson made me even happier. Natasha ran a new PR of 21:53.1. What a beast, but she as well has it in her to go sub 21:00. Watch out for both of these girls come regionals! Jessica Raymond was the third finisher for Basic, but she didn't have the best day using it as a workout instead of an actual race. Alyssa Kuveke was the 4th finisher from Basic, and her time was good for a workout day...but she could do better. Alex Acosta also ran bad in my standards for her, but I guess it was just a workout day, so I can't be that disappointed. Freshman Melanie Harris ran alright, and got a good workout in, but didn't run her best. Also, freshman Megan McCarthy, and sophomore Shira Cubero did well for first year runners...but to be the best, now they must start cutting down their time!!!

All in all I'm happy with some people, but everybody else needs to get it in gear. Regionals is about 5 or 6 weeks away...and that's all that matters. How many of the Basic runners will shine when it comes to that occasion?

Male Athlete Of The Week:

(Jr.) Jonny Stiles, his 17:44.8 this Tuesday pretty much sealed it for him. Plus he once again showed leadership throughout the week in his actions and in the workouts.

Female Athlete Of The Week:

(So.) Erika Oceguera, once again she was Basic's top finisher in the Tuesday meet hitting a new beasty PR. She also hit nearly every pace given to her in Thursday's workout. Week after week she makes me so proud :)

Biggest Improvement Male:

(So.) Will Gibbs, it could have gone to Stephan for breaking his already beasty PR by about 30 seconds...but I wasn't surprised because Stephan is already a monster. Will on the other hand has improved greatly from when he first started running a year ago. This Tuesday he ran a new PR with a quite impressive time...but it doesn't stop there, he's only going to keep getting better. But anyway, congradulations Will :)

Biggest Improvement Female:

(Jr.) Natasha Tomlinson, Natasha is a very hard worker...but she doesn't quite know how to pace herself in races. This Tuesday she ran a very smart strategy to let Erika be her pace setter, and it paid off in a big way. Natasha ran a new PR of 21:51. Good job Natasha!!! But I still expect a lot more from you, and you will get there if you do not let the slower girls bring you down to their level. I'm proud of your work this week. :)