by Tim Tevault
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Taking quick, long strides for the University of La Verne are the men’s and women’s cross country teams. Last Saturday at the Prado Invitational, ULV placed ninth overall in the men’s 6,000 meter run.
The top ULV runner for that race was freshman Cecilio Barrera in 32nd place (20:27.30 total, 5:29 average mile), followed by sophomore Rogelio Garcia in 48th (20:52.00, 5:35 average mile).
Other runners included senior Mario Guerrero and freshmen Kelly Wood, Nathan Lahr, Martin Rocha and Travis Berry.
Only one runner represented ULV for the female race. Newcomer junior Monica Martinez, who finished in 17th (out of 112), with the swift time of 24:06.00, averaging a 6:27 mile.
Coach Pat Widolff said that, while ULV did fairly well in last weekend’s race, “it’s too early [in the season] to tell. We’re just kind of getting things sorted.”
Widolff went on to say that after the team competes in the Stanford Invitational on Sept. 29, he would have a better understanding of where the team stands in terms of the rest of California.
At the Stanford Invitational, all schools on the west coast compete in various events. This year the team was invited (last year they were not) and selected members will attend and compete.
“They [Stanford] invite people who can be competitive,” Widolff said. He is not sure who is going to attend, stating that decision will be made soon.
Widolff seems confident in his team and their abilities at the Stanford Invitational. “They’re doing really good so far this year,” he said.
Along with Garcia, Guerrero and Martinez, Widolff said returning senior Leti Arroyo is also a runner with a lot of potential this season. “She’s our top returning person on the women’s team,” he said.
The previous weekend, at the Redlands Invitational, Martinez and Arroyo ran the 5k (3.125 miles), getting first and fourth place, respectively. Both women ran under 19 minutes.
The men’s team ran just as well in the 6k (3.75 miles) event, with Wood (20:54), Barrera (21:18) and Garcia (22:00) placing first, second and fourth, respectively.
With these kinds of results, ULV should expect a season from the team this year.
Both teams will be running Sept. 22 at the Riverside Invitational. For more information, contact Widolff at extension 4846.
