IMAGE OF THE WEEK

XC IS A TEAM SPORT -  Minutes before their epic performance at the 40th Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic the Newbury varsity team huddles  for final instructions.  The team went on to run the fastest high school individual and team time ever.

XC IS A TEAM SPORT - Minutes before their epic performance at the 40th Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic the Newbury varsity team huddles for final instructions. The team went on to run the fastest high school individual and team time ever.

TOP ATHLETES OF ‘20-’21

The COVID epidemic saw some of City’s top distance runners miss out on their final XC season in 2020. To recognize these runners ‘The Drive’ is highlighting accomplishments from this spring’s City Track & Field Championships held at Birmingham High School on June 16-17th, 2021.

 

Miranda Schriver

Palisades Charter

Miranda Schriver (SR-Palisades) had an auspicious start in LA City XC winning the Division 1 City Final race as a freshman and then taking 2nd her sophomore year in a thriller against Sofia Abrego.  She decided to focus on soccer her junior year but returned this spring to cap off her high school career by taking 1st in the 3,200m and 2nd in the 1,600m at the City Track Finals.

Miranda Schriver (SR-Palisades) had an auspicious start in LA City XC winning the Division 1 City Final race as a freshman and then taking 2nd her sophomore year in a thriller against Sofia Abrego. She decided to focus on soccer her junior year but returned this spring to cap off her high school career by taking 1st in the 3,200m and 2nd in the 1,600m at the City Track Finals.

 

Lucas Schriver

Palisades Charter

Lucas Schriver (SR-Palisades) was a stand-out runner as a freshman but injuries and COVID conspired to deny his claim to a City XC or track championship until this year.  Perseverance paid off  though and in June Lucas won both the 1,600m and 3,200m championship races at this year’s City Track Finals.  In this picture Lucas and Clark Reynolds (Marshall) finish 1-2 in the 1,600m Championship race at the LA City Track Finals.

Lucas Schriver (SR-Palisades) was a stand-out runner as a freshman but injuries and COVID conspired to deny his claim to a City XC or track championship until this year. Perseverance paid off though and in June Lucas won both the 1,600m and 3,200m championship races at this year’s City Track Finals. In this picture Lucas and Clark Reynolds (Marshall) finish 1-2 in the 1,600m Championship race at the LA City Track Finals.

Miranda and Lucas Shriver dominated the distance events at the City Finals earning a combined three 1st places and a 2nd place in the Championship races. They are the 1st siblings (and twins) in LA City history to be concurrent City Champions.

RISING STARS

 

MAX FIELDS

Palisades Charter-10th Grade

Max Fields had an impressive freshman track season recording PB’s of 4:37.70 (1,600m) and 9:55.68 (3,200m).  He’s picked to win the City division 1 XC championship this fall.  If successful, he’ll be the 2nd sophomore boy to do that in 45 years!Max Fields is shown competing in the Championship 1,600m race at the City Finals in June.

Max Fields had an impressive freshman track season recording PB’s of 4:37.70 (1,600m) and 9:55.68 (3,200m). He’s picked to win the City division 1 XC championship this fall. If successful, he’ll be the 2nd sophomore boy to do that in 45 years!

Max Fields is shown competing in the Championship 1,600m race at the City Finals in June.

 
 

MEZTLI VELAZQUEZ

Granada Hills-9th Grade

In just 2 races in her burgeoning XC career Freshman Meztli Velazque of Granada Hills has risen to #3 overall in the LA City rankings which also happens to be 3rd on the Granada Hills varsity team.  She’s ranked #4 on our TOP-10 List, the only underclassmen to make the list in ‘21.

In just 2 races in her burgeoning XC career Freshman Meztli Velazque of Granada Hills has risen to #3 overall in the LA City rankings which also happens to be 3rd on the Granada Hills varsity team. She’s ranked #4 on our TOP-10 List, the only underclassmen to make the list in ‘21.

THE WEEK IN PICTURES

AROUND THE LEAGUE

  • Renewal

    Jeff Atkinson takes the reigns of a San Pedro XC program that looks to be rebuilding after their ‘19 City championship. Coach Atkinson has a prodigious running career that includes competing in the ‘88 S. Korean Olympics and coaching several powerhouse southern section distance programs.

  • Resurgence

    The Taft XC team sits for a team photo in front of their new tent at Pierce College after the West Valley Cluster meet. Taft comes into the ‘21 season with high expectations. New Head Coach Mario Castillo and his runners are up to the challenge and showing a new attitude.

  • Resolve

    Coaches Colson Phillip and Camille King jumped through hoops to provide a ‘20 XC season for the ECR team. The Royals ran 5 dual meets against Agoura, Calabasas, Granada Hills, Birmingham and Chatsworth; something few City schools accomplished.

    (l-r) Max Liberman, Dylan McDermott, Aidan Emery, Leta Squier, Mateo Glass, Coach Colson and Camille.

‘The Drive’

Is dedicated to LA City’s high school distance running community

The goal is to evangelize exceptional teams and athletes with high quality, curated content and editorial perspectives in an online periodic publication.

Each volume will include a ‘Special’ section, as well as Athletes of the Week/Month, ‘The Week in Pictures’ including a ‘Picture of the Week’, ‘The Numbers’, and ‘Heard on the Trail’.

ENJOY!