SD Prep Sports

SD Prep Sports: Cross Country

Metro Conference 2K4 Cross Country Preview

Eastlake runners regroup under new coach

By Phillip Brents
Posted Aug. 23, 2004

CHULA VISTA -- Last season, Eastlake High’s cross country team struggled at times, both in terms of putting results on the course and in putting numbers of athletes on the course. This year, more than 40 students have turned out under new coach Joe Stubbs.

In the truest sense, there appears to be a sense of renewal. That can only spell good things, according to Stubbs.

“The boys have not won a dual meet in two years and the girls came in dead last at CIF last year. When you’re at the bottom, there is no way to go but up. I’m a firm believer, however, that with good coaching, good hard work and dedication, good things will happen,” he said.

Top returners on the boys team include seniors Andy Sist, Anthony Haw and Daniel Andrade. Top newcomers include sophomore Che Nevarez and junior Shawn Szafarski.

Andrade, as the team’s No. 3 runner, finished 48th in the boys race at last year’s Metro Conference championship meet while Haw (Eastlake’s fifth man) was 53rd. Sist was the team's second-highest finisher at last year's season-opening Baron Invitational before being sidelined by injury.

Top girls runners include juniors Melanie DeSalvo and Sara McKinney (11), sophomores Tania Andrade and Maria Lisa Crimi, senior Jenny Arriola and freshman Heather Voigt.

McKinney was the Titans’ top place-finisher (13th) at the Metro Conference finals, followed by DeSalvo (17th). McKinney earned All-Mesa League recognition for her top 10 league finish while DeSalvo received a medal as a top 15 league placer.

Andrade (fifth) and Crimi (eighth) both posted top 10 finishes in the girls junior varsity finals.

Schedule highlights include the Mustang Invitational (Sept. 10) and South Bay Invitational (Sept. 24). The Titans’ first dual meet is Oct. 1 against Southwest.