Eagles’ field wide open

Steve Virgen

There are plenty of opportunities for individual accolades in cross

country, but Estancia High Coach Charlie Appell has always had a

different focus for his program, especially this season.

Appell stresses the team concept, and this season with

participation numbers down he is really gathering his runners to

become more of a family.

“Cross country is a team sport,” Appell said. “Last year, Estancia

had Diana Rosete as its No. 1 runner. She won the [Golden West League

title], placed third in the CIF [Southern Section Division III]

finals and went to the state meet for the second year in a row. This

year the girls team has no leader yet, but with their experience they

can overcome the league’s talented teams. The league doesn’t have a

dominating team, but it has a lot of teams with depth.”

Appell acknowledged the Golden West League will definitely provide

challenges for the Eagles this season. Costa Mesa has Christine

Bjelland back, while Ocean View is rebuilt and returns all-league

runner Kaylynn Gallo.

However, the Eagles will depend on their experience, which

includes seniors Crystal Rincon, Fatima Carrasco, Marilyn Reich,

Diana Castro and Cynthia Luna. Rincon, Carrasco and Castro competed

in the CIF Division III preliminaries last year.

Although Estancia has the experience, the Eagles are not sure who

will be their No. 1 runner this season.

“That’s still up in the air,” Appell said.

The expectation is that one of the Estancia seniors will take on

the role vacated by Rosete, but Appell would not be surprised if the

non-seniors stepped up. Juniors Lucy Leon, Okai’ry Lomeli and

Brittanie Starn worked hard during the summer and, if anything, they

will contribute.

Freshman Janette Abrego could be a runner to watch as she has

showed consistent improvement within the past year. Freshman Sydney

Barloon could also find herself running more varsity meets this

season.

Appell said the consensus from the league is that the Eagles will

finish fifth, and he thinks Santa Ana and Costa Mesa will vie for the

team title.

Appell’s sons, Stephan and Michael, will be assistants for the

Estancia cross country program this year, as longtime assistant Joan

Carlisle has retired.

The Eagles opened their season at the Long Beach Millikan

Invitational Sept. 13 and will compete Saturday at the St. John Bosco

Invitational at La Mirada Park.