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.
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