Looking Ahead: 2013

How can we not look ahead to the new year. Minus the Olympic Games, 2013 has the potential to be just as good as last year, if not, better. Several records on the oval are in serious jeopardy this spring and in the fall, we'll witness another championship attempt by the now-seven-time defending state cross country champions in the Saugus girls. A few big names - like Anthony Pizzo, AJ Yarnall, Chelsey Totten, John Gilbertson and Nina Moore - hope to leave with a bang at the collegiate and high school levels in May as well. It should be another memorable one for Santa Clarita Valley runners.

Different Team, Same Goal:
If you ask Samantha Ortega, the 2012 All-SCV Cross Country Runner of the Year, what the Saugus girls' goal is for the 2013 cross country season, her reply won't surprise you at all. "The major and more obvious goal would be winning our eighth straight state championship," she'll say confidently.

Over the last seven years, the Lady Centurions have created a dynasty, one that looked like it end after five years. Through hard work, determination and heart, the now-seven-time defending state cross country champions have impressed the state by winning another two titles - both unexpected - since the day they set a California state team record at Woodward Park in November 2010 though.

Now, one must ask: Can the Saugus girls do the unexpected again?

Every year, questions like, "Can they win again," and, "When will their impressive streak end," are asked, yet every year, against all odds, they deliver, which is why we're not writing them off heading into the new year. It's a mistake only a rookie to the sport would make.

Saugus returns varsity members Abigail Frankian, Samantha Ortega and Darby LaPlant in 2013, a great start
for the Lady Centurions, who are eyeing their eighth consecutive state cross country championship

Saugus will return three runners with varsity experience. There's Samantha Ortega, the SCV record-holder at Woodward Park and state runner-up last year. There's Abigail Frankian, who's finished in the top 23 at the last two state finals. And there's Darby LaPlant, a sophomore who took 96th in 2012.

The squad should breeze through the Foothill League this year as five of the top 11 fastest returnees from last year's finals are from Saugus, including four in the top six, however, they'll need to reload if they want to win their seventh section title in eight years and an eighth straight state cross country championship. Sophomore Sabrina Janes and freshman Ashley Heys look like the leading candidates. Both showed a lot of promise in leading Saugus to an eighth consecutive Foothill League frosh/soph championship last season.

Janes, who quit soccer to focus on cross country and track, has the potential to be the next Alex Hampton. Hampton, a 2011 graduate who now attends Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was a former Foothill League varsity champion and school record-holder over 400 meters, clocked a personal best of 2:14.30 in the 800-meter run, #2 in school history, and finished 11th at the 2010 California State Cross Country Championships. In 2012, Janes had a banner year in her first two seasons of running, setting a frosh/soph championship record of 2:18.93 on her way to her first Foothill League title, She then dominated at the frosh/soph cross country finals, winning by a 52-second margin over teammate Heys. Her winning mark of 18:28 would have been ninth in the varsity final. Janes also doubled at the Long Beach Distance Classic in December, running 2:21.60 over 800 meters, #6 on the sophomore all-time list at Saugus, and 5:23.10 in the 1,600-meter run.

Mackenzie Moncibais, Ashley Heys, Jessica Ruiz and Sabrina Janes - top four at this year's Foothill League
Frosh/Soph Finals - all return as crucial members of the 2013 Saugus girls varsity team

Meanwhile, Heys showed she has the potential to be the next great distance runner for Saugus. It's possible the freshman would have made the team's top seven had she not suffered a small injury last October. Twice, she appeared on Saugus' varsity team. At the Central Park Invitational, she was the team's sixth runner, crossing in 17th place. A week later, the standout had perhaps the best race of her freshman campaign, finishing as the team's fifth scorer in ninth overall. Heys wasn't done yet though. In December, the Foothill League frosh/soph runner-up clocked 5:25.00 over 1,600 meters, ranking #10 on Saugus' freshman all-time list, and 2:32.00 in the 800-meter run.

If the Saugus girls cross country program wants to win an eighth consecutive state championship, they'll need to see big improvements from Janes, Heys and other returnees like frosh/soph all-league candidates Mackenzie Moncibais, Jessica Ruiz and Emma Bahr, especially if Simi Valley moves back into division two over the summer. Saugus' only defeat against California competition over the last seven seasons was against the Pioneers, who ended their section title reign in 2011. Since then, they've finished fourth (in division two) and third (in division one) at the last two state championship events, lead by Woodward Park course record-holder and two-time defending national champion Sarah Baxter. The program returns six of their seven runners on a team that clocked 88:30 at the Mt. SAC Invitational, largely due to Baxter's 16:00 record that day. Serrano could also be a threat, as their top three - all sub-18-minute runners - return later this fall.

Remember though, the Saugus girls are always ready when it counts most.

SEVEN-TIME DEFENDING CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONS

2013 Returnees (based off final 2012 Foothill League XC Rankings)...

1. Samantha Ortega, Saugus HS, Junior
2. Bianca Tinoco, Golden Valley HS, Sophomore
3. Abigail Frankian, Saugus HS, Senior
4. Taylor Welker, West Ranch HS, Senior
5. Darby LaPlant, Saugus HS, Junior
6. Sabrina Janes, Saugus HS, Junior
7. Augustina Hansen, Hart HS, Junior
8. Marisa Magsarili, West Ranch HS, Junior
9. Ashley Heys, Saugus HS, Sophomore
10. Alyssa Higdon, Valencia HS, Sophomore

FOOTHILL LEAGUE TRACK 

BOYS 2013
(More to follow in SCV Track Preview)

BOYS 800 RETURNEES - This two-lap event is a complete toss-up. Right now, it looks like a two-way battle between West Ranch High school record-holder Pierce Miller and Joel Estrada, who ranks #4 in Canyon High history. It's also a possibility SCV's top half-miler this spring could be someone - Saugus' AJ Yarnall - who most likely won't even run this event when the finals roll around in early-May. Last year's fifth place finisher, Calvin Olbes of Valencia also returns this year, as does frosh/soph league champion and championship record-holder Alex Pearson from Saugus.

1. Pierce Miller, West Ranch HS, Senior, 1:56.03 (May 2012) 2012 bronze - varsity
2. Joel Estrada, Canyon HS, Senior, 1:56.08 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
3. AJ Yarnall, Saugus HS, Senior, 1:57.90 (Mar. 2012)
4. Calvin Olbes, Valencia HS, Senior, 1:58.07 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
5. Alex Pearson, Saugus HS, Junior, 1:59.20 (May 2012) 2012 gold - frosh/soph
6. Billy Walker, Hart HS, Senior, 1:59.90 (Apr. 2012)
7. Bailey James, Hart HS, Junior, 2:00.72 (May 2012) 2012 silver - frosh/soph
8. Anthony Rosales, Saugus HS, Junior, 2:00.97 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - frosh/soph
9. Rodrigo Ornelas, Saugus HS, Senior, 2:01.10 (May 2012)
10. Christian Hayes, Hart HS, Junior, 2:01.50 (Apr. 2012)
11. Nolan Del Valle, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 2:02.90 (Apr. 2012)
12. Mac Kaufman, Hart HS, Sophomore, 2:02.93 (May 2012) 2012 bronze - frosh/soph

Top returnees Joel Estrada and Pierce Miller were separated by .05 of a second in the 2012 800m finals

BOYS 1600 RETURNEES - This event has never had so much depth heading into a new track campaign, and that's a sign of great battles to come. AJ Yarnall is the favorite here, HOWEVER, whether he doubles at this year's finals or not is unknown. History points to no though, as all of Saugus' top distance runners over the last seven years did not double, despite having the ability to medal at their respective league finals twice. That being said, this race looks like a Saugus vs. Hart dual, similar to the battle we expected last cross country season. Hart duo Billy Walker and Josh Sherfey lead all challengers, with Saugus' Rodrigo Ornelas and defending frosh/soph champion Alex Pearson also capable of winning it all. Also look for Golden Valley's 2012 SCV 4x1,600-meter record of 17:28.26 to be challenged by Saugus this April.

1. AJ Yarnall, Saugus HS, Senior, 4:20.91 (Mar. 2012)
2. Nolan Del Valle, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 4:22.68 (May 2012)
3. Billy Walker, Hart HS, Senior, 4:23.00 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
4. Josh Sherfey, Hart HS, Senior, 4:25.23 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
5. Rodrigo Ornelas, Saugus HS, Senior, 4:25.96 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
6. Adam Driedger, Canyon HS, Junior, 4:26.50 (Apr. 2012) 2012 silver - frosh/soph
7. Jeffrey Black, West Ranch, Senior, 4:27.65 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
8. Zach Wims, Canyon HS, Senior, 4:28.37 (May 2012)
9. Brendan Tinoco, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 4:30.38 (May 2012)
10. Alex Pearson, Saugus HS, Junior, 4:30.92 (Apr. 2012) 2012 gold - frosh/soph
11. Joel Estrada, Canyon HS, Senior, 4:31.90 (Apr. 2012)
12. Anthony Janaslani, Saugus HS, Senior, 4:33.68 (May 2012)

BOYS 3200 RETURNEES - Defending champion AJ Yarnall of Saugus is the dead favorite heading into the new season. The state runner-up in cross country also has the ability to challenge Dave Hartman's 1991 SCV record of 8:58.40 and possibly graduate with an individual state championship over the eight-lap event in May. After the Centurion, there's a handful of athletes capable of making the podium, which includes 2012 bronze medalist Zach Wims, 2012 cross country champion Rodrigo Ornelas, two-time cross country bronze medalist Nolan Del Valle and Josh Sherfey of Hart High. Another headliner this track season could be the fantastic sophomore class against the SCV record-books (SCV all-time sophomore list below). Without a doubt the best freshman 3,200-meter class in SCV history, look for at least two of the six sophomore below to crack the top 10 all-time SCV sophomore list in this eight-lap event.

1. AJ Yarnall, Saugus HS, Senior, 9:14.14 (Mar. 2012) 2012 gold - varsity
2. Zach Wims, Canyon HS, Senior, 9:17.80 (May 2012) 2012 bronze - varsity
3. Nolan Del Valle, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 9:35.73 (Mar. 2012)
4. Brendan Tinoco, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 9:38.89 (Mar. 2012)
5. Josh Sherfey, Hart HS, Senior, 9:41.51 (Apr. 2012)
6. Billy Walker, Hart HS, Senior, 9:49.51 (Feb. 2012)
7. Rodrigo Ornelas, Saugus HS, Senior, 9:50.60 (Apr. 2012)
8. Anthony Janaslani, Saugus HS, Senior, 9:53.03 (May 2012)
9. Ruben Rubira, Hart HS, Sophomore, 9:53.74 (May 2012) 2012 gold - frosh/soph
10. Adam Driedger, Canyon HS, Junior, 9:54.90 (May 2012) 2012 bronze - frosh/soph
11. Nick Liebmann, Canyon HS, Sophomore, 9:57.20 (Mar. 2012)
12. Alex Pearson, Saugus HS, Junior, 9:58.50 (Apr. 2012)
13. Brian Zabilski, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 9:59.90 (Dec. 2012) 2012 silver - frosh/soph
14. Timo Garcia, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 10:00.00 (Mar. 2012)
15. Austin Fisher, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:00.14 (Mar. 2012)
16. Billy Anthony, Saugus HS, Junior, 10:08.30 (Dec. 2012)
17. Jordan Serrano, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 10:11.10 (Mar 2012)
18. Caleb McClain, Canyon HS, Sophomore, 10:12.50 (May 2012)
19. Anthony Rosales, Saugus HS, Junior, 10:14.90 (May 2012)
20. Jonathan Summer, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 10:17.55 (May 2012)

SCV All-Time Sophomore List:

1. Dave Hartman, Canyon HS, 9:23.74 (1989)
2. Luke Llamas, Canyon HS, 9:32.70 (2000)
3. Sam Peckham, Hart HS, 9:35.04 (May 2010)
4. Alec Nelson, Saugus HS, 9:39.56 (Apr. 2008)
5. Nolan Del Valle, Golden Valley HS, 9:42.69 (Mar. 2011)
6. AJ Yarnall, Saugus HS, 9:45.66 (Mar. 2011)
7. Brandon Jauregui, Saugus HS, 9:48.86 (May 2007)
8. Daren Stonerock, Saugus HS, 9:49.10 (1984)
9. Kirk Stonerock, Saugus HS, 9:5?.?? (1984)
10. Chris Hernandez, Valencia HS, 9:54.27 (May 2008)

Saugus' AJ Yarnall

GIRLS 2013
(More to follow in SCV Track Preview)

GIRLS 800 RETURNEES - Totten's personal best is well-ahead of the field, however, because she's the defending Foothill League 1,600-meter champion and likely to run that event beforehand in May, the gap shrinks between her and several others. Easily the most wide-open field this spring, there are at least seven others capable of finishing on the podium when the Foothill League Championships roll around, including two-time bronze medalist Madison Hills of Canyon and Saugus' Sabrina Janes, last year's frosh/soph champion and championship record-holder. Look for freshman Bianca Tinoco to make a significant impact in this event as well after one of the greatest cross country seasons by a freshman in SCV history. This could be the deepest 800-meter field we've seen in valley history.

1. Chelsey Totten, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 2:13.60 (Apr. 2012) 2012 silver ~ varsity
2. Madison Hills, Canyon HS, Senior, 2:17.03 (May 2011) 2011/2012 bronze ~ varsity
3. Kendall Bietsch, Canyon HS, Sophomore, 2:17.40 (Apr. 2012)
4. Olivia Pear, Valencia HS, Senior, 2:17.65 (May 2012) 2010 silver ~ junior varsity
5. Sabrina Janes, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 2:18.93 (May 2012) 2012 gold ~ junior varsity
6. Augustina Hansen, Hart HS, Sophomore, 2:19.27 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
7. Marisa Magsarili, West Ranch HS, Sophomore, 2:21.46 (May 2012) 2012 silver ~ junior varsity
8. Taylor Welker, West Ranch HS, Junior, 2:21.90 (Mar. 2011/2012)
9. Alex Hill, Saugus HS, Senior, 2:22.60 (Dec. 2012) 2012 finalist - varsity
10. Meghan Fairchild, Hart HS, Junior, 2:22.68 (Apr. 2012) 2011 finalist - junior varsity
11. Bianca Tinoco, Golden Valley HS, Freshman, 2:24.73 (May 2012) 2012 gold ~ junior high
12. Katie Huntington, Saugus HS, Senior, 2:25.30 (Mar. 2012)
13. Sarah Cipperely, Canyon HS, Senior, 2:27.10 (Mar. 2012) 2011 finalist - junior varsity
14. Weslie Totten, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 2:27.12 (May 2012) 2012 finalist - junior varsity
15. Heidi Hoslet, Saugus HS, Senior, 2:27.30 (Mar. 2012)
16. Laura Sega, Hart HS, Junior, 2:27.46 (May 2012) 2012 bronze ~ junior varsity
17. Darby LaPlant, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 2:28.90 (Apr. 2012)

Golden Valley's Bianca Tinoco is ranked 11th over 800 meters as just a freshman

GIRLS 1600 RETURNEES - Totten is 12 seconds faster than the rest of the field, the defending Foothill League champion and fourth fastest in championship history, only to Shannon Murakami's three record-setting performances in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Right now, the only ones that looks capable of taking her down in 2013 is Saugus sophomore Samantha Ortega, the 2012 All-SCV Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year and state division two runner-up last cross country season and super frosh Bianca Tinoco, also from Golden Valley High. It's way too early to know whether Ortega will double or not when the finals are here though. That being said, four of the top five from last year's finals return this spring and all of them are former medalists.

1. Chelsey Totten, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 4:53.96 (May 2012) 2012 gold ~ varsity
2. Samantha Ortega, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 5:05.30 (Dec. 2012)
3. Taylor Welker, West Ranch HS, Junior, 5:06.10 (Apr. 2011) 2011 bronze ~ varsity
4. Augustina Hansen, Hart HS, Sophomore, 5:08.89 (May 2012) 2012 silver ~ varsity
5. Katie Huntington, Saugus HS, Senior, 5:13.40 (Mar. 2012)
6. Maddie Dignadice, Valencia HS, Senior, 5:14.38 (Mar. 2011)
7. Sarah Cipperely, Canyon HS, Senior, 5:14.30 (May 2012) 2012 bronze ~ varsity
8. Madison Hills, Canyon HS, Senior, 5:14.60 (Apr. 2012)
9. Abigail Frankian, Saugus HS, Junior, 5:14.90 (Apr. 2012)
10. Heidi Hoslet, Saugus HS, Senior, 5:15.70 (Apr. 2012) 2010/2011 bronze ~ junior varsity
11. Weslie Totten, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 5:15.90 (Mar. 2011) 2012 silver ~ junior varsity
12. Valeria Soto, Canyon HS, Senior, 5:17.01 (May 2012)
13. Alex Hill, Saugus HS, Senior, 5:20.50 (Dec. 2012)
14. Darby LaPlant, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 5:20.70 (Dec. 2012)
15. Abby Buckhoff, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 5:21.06 (May 2012)
16. Sabrina Janes, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 5:23.10 (Dec. 2012)
17. Marisa Magsarili, West Ranch HS, Sophomore, 5:23.30 (Apr. 2012)
18. Olivia Altieri, Saugus HS, Senior, 5:23.90 (Apr. 2012)
19. Ashley Heys, Saugus HS, Freshman, 5:25.00 (Dec. 2012)
20. Kyla Danforth, Canyon HS, Junior, 5:27.34 (May 2012) 2012 gold ~ junior varsity

GIRLS 3200 RETURNEES - Once again, this event has Saugus written all over it. Over the last six years, the Lady Centurions have claimed 16 of the 18 medals, including podium sweeps in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Only 20 girls, including 2012 All-SCV Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year Samantha Ortega, have broken the 11-minute barrier in SCV history (all-time list posted below). 15 of those attended Saugus and 12 of those 15 did it under head coach Rene Paragas. This spring, three more - senior Heidi Hoslet and Katie Huntington, as well as junior Abigail Frankian - have the potential to challenge the magical barrier, while four other Centurions could break 11:20 in the eight-lap distance. Golden Valley's Chelsey Totten and Bianca Tinoco could medal in this event, although it's unlikely they'll run this when the finals come around, while Valeria Soto of Canyon and Valencia's Maddie Dignadice are the only others capable of breaking up the blue and white streak in my eyes.

1. Samantha Ortega, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 10:50.90 (Dec. 2012) 2012 gold ~ junior varsity
2. Heidi Hoslet, Saugus HS, Senior, 11:06.80 (Dec. 2012)
3. Maddie Dignadice, Valencia HS, Senior, 11:07.98 (May 2011)
4. Abigail Frankian, Saugus HS, Junior, 11:08.76 (Mar. 2012) 2012 bronze ~ varsity
5. Chelsey Totten, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 11:14.90 (Mar. 2012)
6. Katie Huntington, Saugus HS, Senior, 11:16.60 (Dec. 2012)
7. Valeria Soto, Canyon HS, Senior, 11:18.75 (May 2012)
8. Augustina Hansen, Hart HS, Sophomore, 11:19.01 (Mar. 2012)
9. Nina Sassano, Saugus HS, Senior, 11:20.30 (Dec. 2012)
10. Abby Buckhoff, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 11:25.90 (Apr. 2011)
11. Weslie Totten, Golden Valley HS, Senior, 11:31.10 (Apr. 2012) 2012 silver ~ junior varsity
12. Shalyn Mabritto, Canyon HS, Junior, 11:34.90 (Apr. 2012)
13. Olivia Altieri, Saugus HS, Senior, 11:43.79 (Apr. 2012)
14. Darby LaPlant, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 11:44.19 (Apr. 2012) 2012 bronze ~ junior varsity
15. Madison Hills, Canyon HS, Senior, 11:45.90 (Apr. 2012)

SCV All-Time List:

1. Lauren Fleshman, Canyon HS, Senior, 10:18.21 (May 1999)
2. Kaylin Mahoney, Saugus HS, Freshman, 10:25.40 (May 2008)
3. Stephanie Bulder, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 10:30.70 (May 2009)
4. Shannon Murakami, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:31.24 (May 2007)
5. Karis Frankian, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:31.44 (May 2012)
6. Katie Dunn, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:33.17 (Apr. 2008)
7. Pam Thompson, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:36.79 (May 1984)
8. Annie Randall, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:39.30 (Mar. 2009)
9. Lauren Walker, Canyon HS, Senior, 10:41.60 (May 2001)
10. Heather Scobie, Saugus HS, Freshman, 10:44.29 (May 1986)
11. Jenay Jauregui, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:46.04 (May 2012)
12. Julie Harris, Canyon HS, Senior, 10:46.50 (May 1996)
13. Amber Murakami, Saugus HS, Junior, 10:47.41 (Mar. 2009)
14. Nina Moore, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:49.61 (Mar. 2008)
15. Samantha Ortega, Saugus HS, Sophomore, 10:50.90 (Dec. 2012)
16. Brianna Jauregui, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:52.35 (Apr. 2009)
17. Lisa Rizzo, Hart HS, Senior, 10:54.19 (Apr. 1986)
18. Jessica McCall, Saugus HS, Junior, 10:56.55 (May 2011)
19. Shelly Hazlett, Saugus HS, Senior, 10:57.30 (May 1981)
20. Jennifer Owen, West Ranch HS, Sophomore, 10:57.46 (Apr. 2009)

Chelsey Totten of Golden Valley HS

Don't forget about the boys:
The Saugus boys can't be forgotten when it comes to the upcoming 2013 cross country season. If you haven't noticed already, the 2012 state runner-ups return six runners with sub-10:18 3,200-meter credentials and that doesn't even include junior Ethan Walker, who ran on Saugus' CIF Southern Section runner-up team last fall. Yes, they lack the front-runner like recent years, but their depth is once again impressive. With other schools losing a lot of their scorers this May, Saugus should have no problem winning their seventh Foothill League team championship in eight years. Also look for them to make another impact at the section and state levels later this fall!


2013 Returnees (based off final 2012 Foothill League XC Rankings)...

1. Alex Pearson, Saugus HS, Senior
2. Ruben Rubira, Hart HS, Junior
3. Arnold Bautista, Golden Valley HS, Senior
4. Brian Zabilski, Saugus HS, Junior
5. Ethan Walker, Saugus HS, Senior
6. Billy Anthony, Saugus HS, Senior
7. Tucker Welker, West Ranch HS, Sophomore
8. Andrew Orona, Hart HS, Senior
9. Alex Allevato, Valencia HS, Senior
10. Jason Hillquist, Canyon HS, Senior

Records are meant to be broken!
Every year, a chunk of SCV history is rewritten and 2013 is no different. We're here to tell you all records are meant to be broken. From SCV records to school records, several names on both the high school and collegiate level will rewrite the record books over the next spring and fall seasons. Here's a short list of some of the big-time records in the SCV we think might go down in 2013:

TRACK -

• Dave Hartman's 13:56.40 SCV 5,000-meter record, set in 1996
• Dave Hartman's 8:58.40 SCV HS 3,200-meter record, set in 1991
• Daren Stonerock's 9:02.03 Saugus HS 3,200-meter record, set in 1986
• AJ Yarnall's 9:17.08 Foothill Lg. Championship 3,200-meter record, set in 2012
• Sam Peckham's 9:36.10 SCV freshman 3,200-meter record, set in 2009
• Kaylin Mahoney's 10:27.70 Saugus HS sophomore 3,200-meter record, set in 2009
• Karis Frankian's 10:43.02 Foothill Lg. Championship 3,200-meter record, set in 2012
• Merissa Kado's 5:17.05 Foothill Lg. Championship JV 1,600-meter record, set in 2009
• Chelsey Totten's 2:13.60 Golden Valley HS 800-meter record, set in 2012
• Ashley Welker's 2:17.31 Foothill Lg. Championship frosh 800-meter record, set in 2009

CROSS COUNTRY -

• Kaylin Mahoney's 17:01 SCV record @ Mt. SAC, set in 2008
• Shannon Murakami's 17:08 SCV HS junior record @ Mt. SAC, set in 2005
• Samantha Ortega's 17:33 SCV record @ Woodward Park, set in 2012
• Kaylin Mahoney's 17:35 SCV HS junior record @ Woodward Park, set in 2009
• Karis Frankian's 17:59 Central Park record (Hill), set in 2011
• Karis Frankian's 17:13 Central Park record (Flat), set in 2011
• Shannon Murakami's 43:26 Beast record, set in 2010

Can Saugus' Samantha Ortega break Kaylin Mahoney's famed 17:01 SCV record @ Mt. SAC in 2013???

Historic Eras and Careers Ending This Year:

• John Gilbertson @ Masters College

For those who have followed John Gilbertson's collegiate career over the last four years, you know he has put together arguably the greatest distance running career by a collegiate in SCV history. The mutiple-time All-American finally had his chance to shine this season, winning the NAIA national cross country championship by 10 seconds over a great field in Washington and going undefeated this fall. He won the Stanford Invitational over a incredible field and set an 8,000-meter course record at the Santa Clara Invitational as well. Simply-put, Gilbertson has been spectacular over his four-year college career at Masters College, earning multiple All-American awards and attending several national championship events in both cross country and track. Look for the senior to challenge the SCV records from 1,500 to 10,000-meters this spring. Setting one of those records and winning another national title on the oval could give him the name, "greatest of all-time," when he finishes his college career at Masters College in May.

Masters College's John Gilbertson

• Anthony Pizzo @ Masters College

Despite a setback at the end of last year's cross country, the 2009 Foothill League 3,200-meter champion and All-Southern Section first team honoree rebounded to earn another All-American award in cross country. Ranked #3 on Santa Clarita's all-time 5,000-meter list, Pizzo has been almost as impressive as teammate and defending NAIA national champion John Gilbertson. Minus the individual national championship, Pizzo's marks over 1,500 and 5,000 meters are nearly identical to his teammate as well. Look for this Mustang to go out with a bang and possibly take home another All-American award in the spring.

Anthony Pizzo of Masters College

• Nina Moore @ Long Beach State University

Arguably the most underrated distance runner in SCV cross country and track history, what Long Beach State senior Nina Moore has accomplished over her short career is absolutely stellar. In her only year of high school distance running at Saugus, Moore earned a bronze medal behind teammates Katie Dunn and Annie Randall at the 2007 Foothill League Cross Country Finals in 2007, then helped the Centurions to their second consecutive section and state team championships and course records on every course the team set foot on that season, including Mt. SAC and Woodward Park. In the spring, the standout contributed to three state-leading distance relay teams and a state record in the 4x1,600-meter relay. Individually, Moore finished fourth in the 1,600-meter league finals in 2008, then came up .04 of a second short of winning the 3,200-meter title to teammate Kaylin Mahoney, who eventually went on the set a still-standing school record of 10:25.40. After taking a year off from the sport in 2008-09, Moore returned to team-up with Saugus teammate Brianna Jauregui at Glendale College, where the duo helped the program to conference, section and state team titles and two community college course records at Mt. SAC and Woodward Park. Moore also won the individual section title in a still-standing junior college course record at Mt. SAC (17:17 ~ #5 in SCV history) and the individual state title in 17:48 (#8 in SCV history), then went on the earn all-state honors over 1,500 and 5,000 meters in track. Although she's had several injuries at Long Beach State, she's clocked 17:11.15 over 5,000 meters, #3 in SCV history only behind Lauren Fleshman and Shannon Murakami. That being said, regardless of what Moore does in her final season of eligibility, she'll go down as one of the most decorated runners to ever come through the SCV.

Long Beach State's Nina Moore

• The Frankian's @ Saugus HS

First the Murakami sisters, then the Jauregui sisters and now the Frankian sisters. Much of Saugus' girl's distance running success ties to the three surnames above and this fall, we'll once again see the end of another family era. The Murakami's contributed to five of the seven state championships the Lady Centurions have won, while the Jauregui's contributed to five as well. Meanwhile, the Frankian sisters have contributed to six with eyes on a seventh later this year. Karis and Abigail - both known for their toughness and consistency - are part of one of the most accomplished family legacies in SCV sports history, one that will come to an end in December. Karis, a recent All-American from Masters College, attended seven state finals in cross country and track and was a three-time all-state honoree (5th in 2009 and 2010, and 3rd in 2011) as well. She was also the Foothill League champion in cross country and the 3,200-meter event her senior year. Meanwhile, Abigail - the 2012 3,200-meter bronze medalist - could join her sister on the list of all-state candidates to come out of Saugus. A top 10 performance at this year's state finals in November would see the Frankian sisters join the Murakami's (Shannon 10th, 1st and 4th in 2003, 2005 & 2006/Amber 9th in 2008) and Jauregui's (Brianna 4th in 2008/Jenay 10th in 2010) as the only families in SCV history with multiple all-state runners in cross country or track.

Abigail Frankian, Karis Frankian and Jenay Jauregui

(Photos by Mark LaPlant, Alan Garcia and others)