Record-shattering temperatures in the Los Angeles area have produced zero friction for Poly’s cross-country team who have started off the season speeding past the finish line. With strong performances at the Gaucho Invitational on Aug. 3, the team plans to harness this momentum with no plans on slowing down in the coming weeks.
The girls team saw impressive results, with senior Stella Keatley medaling, crossing the finish line at 22 minutes and 48 seconds.
On the boys team, junior Matteo Mazzie delivered a standout performance, recording an impressive time of 19 minutes and 0.5 seconds, marking a top 15 time in the program’s course history. Mazzie’s consistency and work ethic have paid off early in the season, and his results reflect the rigorous training the Panthers undergo.
Head Coach Rick Caragher emphasized that the team’s success did not happen overnight.
“Our program is built around grit, growth, integrity and teamwork,” he said. “This year, I have not heard any complaints from our runners about the severe heat we are experiencing. They practice hard every day after school in the heat and their results do reflect that.”
Caragher often talks to the team about the concept of the “Pain Cave,” a mental barrier runners must break through when fatigue and lactic acid set in. The key to the Panthers’ success, according to Caragher, is learning to push through this “Pain Cave” and chip away at their goals second by second.
Mazzie is one runner who has embraced this mentality, logging a whopping 50 miles per week and showing immense growth over the past year.
“He is a model of consistency and hard work,” Caragher noted.
Mazzie, too, emphasized the mental challenge of running. “For me, it’s achieving personal growth that is driving me,” he said. “I want to reach my personal goals, and in the heat, it’s just a matter of mental strength.”
The Panthers’ resilience, mental toughness, and strong camaraderie make them one of the most consistent teams in the area. Whether it’s battling heat, tough competition, or mental hurdles, the Panthers have proven they are up for the challenge. Looking ahead, the team will compete next at Rosemead High School on Sept. 14 for a Saturday night race. Their first league meet will follow shortly after, at Crescenta Valley Park on Sept. 17. With strong individual performances and a collective commitment to the grind, the team is set for a promising season.
