The PCC Cross Country Team is preparing its promising talent for the upcoming 2009 season. The team performed sub par last season, but is expected to turn around this season with the help of sophomore Ernesto Rodriguez to help lead the team.
Rodriguez was the only runner to make it to the California Community College Athletic Association Cross Country State Meet last year.
Rodriguez finished in 60th place out of 199 runners in the CCCAA meet. Rodriguez is joined by three returning sophomore teammates.
The rest of the men’s team is composed of new freshmen runners.
“I think it’s pretty reasonable to expect a lot because last year we didn’t have enough guys and now we have about ten guys that are fast and have done track and cross country and the girls team is also pretty deep,” said Rodriguez.
The women’s team will also enhance their roster this season with 3 sophomores and 7 freshmen.
Ashley Hernandez in her sophomore season has high expectations. “It’s going to be a powerhouse of a season,” said Hernandez.
Head Coach Armand Crespo in his third season believes he has one of the strongest freshmen line up of his career at PCC.
“We have that kind of talent and I think we have 3 of the top runners in the state right now,” said Crespo. “We’re going to see how the season unfolds.”
Crespo said, it’s one of the quicker turn a rounds that he has seen in a long time with the quality of the athletes and more of them on the team. He will have 11 guys fighting for 7 spots on the qualifying team and about 10 runners on the girl’s team.
The goal for Crespo will be to try and win a South Coast Conference title. He predicts another strong competitive season in the South Coast Conference. Crespo is expecting tough competition from Mt. Sac and L.A. Trade Tech.
“Trade Tech is going to be really tough this year with their new coaching staff and their really good job recruiting,” said Crespo.
“How high they finish will depend on how well I do my job and get them prepared,” said Crespo. “It’s night and day compared to last year, it’s going to be a dog fight, and on paper it looks good but you just never know.
Freshman Lidia Garcia does some crunches with the rest of the cross country team to prepare for a long season filled with numerous meets and races. (Michael Cheng)
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