Tito is the leader of the pack for Eagles

Ernesto Castenada for Sat.In just a short time, Estancia High senior is lighting up cross country courses all around Orange County.Last spring, Ernesto “Tito” Castaneda captured Golden West League titles in the 800- and 3,200-meter runs for the Estancia High boys track and field team. This fall, Castaneda set off to make a name for himself on the cross country circuit.

Already, opposing teams and coaches are getting to know the name “Tito.”

In the first race last week, Tito tied for first place against Westminster with a time of 19 minutes and 4 seconds. But the senior wasn’t finished. In his second race of the week, at the Edison invitational at Fairview Park, he took second place with a time of 15:49.7, behind only Los Alamitos’ Garrett McAllister (15:47.8).

“Ohhhh, man, I almost got first place at Edison,” Castaneda said. “That was one of my best races. I was so close. The first-place guy was like 2 seconds ahead of me.”

Estancia Coach Charlie Appell has high expectations for Castaneda.

“We want him to place in the top five in league and qualify for the CIF [Southern Section Division III] prelims,” Appell said.

Appell said Castaneda is a great runner but could be better.

“Tito has only been running for 2 ½ years. He’s just now starting to turn the corner in regards to competitiveness,” Appell said. “His work ethic will determine how much more he can do.”

Castaneda finished in 18th place at the CIF state meet last year. He expects to make it back to state this season.

“I want to win league for sure and finish in the top five as a team in CIF,” Castaneda said.

Appell said Castaneda is a team leader and younger kids on the squad look up to him. But he said Tito has his work cut out for him if he wants to finish better than 18th place at the state meet.

Ernesto Castaneda

Born: Jan. 5, 1988

Hometown: Costa Mesa

Height: 5-foot-7

Weight: 125

Sport: Cross country

Position: No. 1 runner

Coach: Charlie Appell

Favorite food: Double Double at In ‘N Out

Favorite movie: “Matrix Reloaded”

Favorite athletic moment: “Last year when I went from 45th place to 18th place at the state meet. I just got really motivated at the end because I knew it was my last race. I just flew.”

Week in review: In the first race of the week, Castaneda tied for first place against Westminster with a time of 19 minutes and 4 seconds. In his second race of the week, at the Edison invitational at Fairview Park, Castaneda took second place with a time of 15:49.

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