Coasters: For the love of running

Steve Virgen

Ryan Bousquet has many reasons as to why he chose to transfer to

Orange Coast College from Arizona State University.

Bousquet, who has won his first four races with the OCC men’s cross

country team, only likes to talk about the biggest reason he came to

Coast, the other reasons can remain silent.

So why did he leave the PAC-10 for the Orange Empire Conference?

Two words. Lindsay Allen.

She is on the Pirates women’s cross country team and because of her,

Ryan left the Arizona desert heat for the cool breeze of Costa Mesa.

They have been sweethearts since they ran on the same team at

Esperanza High. And last year, when Ryan was in Arizona, their

relationship received a challenge.

“It’s very hard, I would not recommend it to anybody,” Bousquet said

of long-distance relationships. “We’re going to try to go together and

transfer somewhere together (both of them are sophomores). It was really

tough last year. We have a really good relationship. We have been

together for over a year. And we have known each other since grade

school. We are best friends.”

Bousquet now appears as if he has reached his comfort zone as OCC

Coach John Goldman regards Ryan as one of the top runners in the state,

if not the top. The men’s team is also one of the elite in the state.

And the women’s team, with Allen running No. 2 for the Pirates, is on

pace to win the state title. The OCC women dominated at the Crystal

Springs Invitational Friday, placing five girls in the top 11. Allen

finished in fourth in 19:05.

Like Bousquet, Allen has relieved herself of tension that was in place

last year when the two were apart.

“It’s been a lot easier on me with him here,” Allen said. “He came

last year and saw me. But, it was also hard, because it was the only time

I could see him. I would have to erase whatever I was doing that day.

Now, as far as running goes, I’ve been able to focus more now that he’s

here. It’s been a lot more peaceful.”

At the Crystal Springs Invitational, Ryan won his fourth straight

meet, the result of his comfort zone and the result of rigorous training

this summer. He noticed he was improving throughout his freshman year at

ASU, as he consistently finished in the Sun Devils’ top 5. In the summer,

he built from that momentum.

He religiously ran the trails of Rimcrest in Chino Hills. He called it

his back yard and in turn became familiar with each turn, dip and rise of

the trails.

“It was the bread and butter of my training this summer,” Bousquet

said.

And the results continue to show. He won the Crystal Springs

Invitational, a 4.2-mile course, in 21:05 and has displayed a smooth

stride admired by Goldman.

“He looks really smooth,” Goldman said. “He’s always under control. He

has to be considered the top runner in the state.”

If anything, Bousquet is maintaining his goal, and he is back close to

home with his girlfriend.

“I want to go undefeated and win state,” Bousquet said of his goals

for this season.

Two OCC women’s teams appear to be on fire thus far. Coach Chuck

Cutenese’s volleyball squad and Don Watson’s water polo team are both

undefeated.

Watson’s women are No. 1 in the state, according to the Community

College Water Polo Poll, and have beaten perennial power Golden West

twice, convincingly. The Pirates are 11-0, 3-0 in the OEC, and won the

Diablo Valley Tournament last week. There appears to be no dominant

player on the OCC squad, and the team’s chemistry, built by relationships

out of the pool, is a reason different players have been contributing to

the victories. Nicole Sonnenfeld leads the Pirates with 28 goals this

season, Erica Nicholson has scored 23 and Neisha Hoagland has added 22.

The Pirates’ defense has also been solid, anchored by goalie Heather

Deyden, a Newport Harbor High product.

The OCC women’s volleyball team is quietly enjoying a successful

season. Cutenese and his women have built a 6-0 record. They depend on

their blend of youth and experience to gain momentum in each match.

It’s been 19 days since the terrorist attacks on America and, like

many, I’m slow in getting back to normal. But, sports are definitely

helping. JUCO sports, perhaps because of their novelty, have usually been

entertaining for the reporter and for the spectator.

The games are not so much a means of escape from reality, but a breath

of fresh air and proof that are nation is healing. Tragedy can knock any

good man down, but the measure of a greater man is seen in his response.

With all the sadness from death and crime, it’s a wonder sports are

even reported in newspapers, magazines and websites. Sports, at times

like these, might seem petty. On the contrary, I believe sports are more

important in these times. Competition can bring out the best in people

and sports are American tradition. The sports are proof that our nation

cannot be defeated.