As the September sun blazes and the dust settles on the dry Pasadena ground, the Poly cross country team is training as hard as ever not to lose their stride. After the graduation of key seniors and the departure of long-time head coach Rick Caragher last spring, the team now seeks to redefine itself as it embarks on a new course.
Despite these losses, assistant coach William Mason is confident in this team’s ability to compete. “Our head coach, Farid Hernandez, has done an outstanding job structuring workouts and mileage to steadily build strength, improve endurance and lower times,” said Mason.
The Panthers have fought rigorously through the summer heat, conditioning their minds and bodies for success down the road. The team kicked the fall season off with the UCSB Gaucho Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 30. Senior co-captain Matteo Mazzie said, “The race was a good starting point for the season. It directed us where to focus training-wise.” Poly ranked 10th out of 14 in the men’s 3 mile run; 11th of 12 in the men’s 1.43 mile short course run; 10th of 13 in the women’s 3 miles championship run; and 8th of 12 in the women’s 1.43 mile short course run. While there is room for improvement, both Mazzie and Mason seem satisfied with the team’s performance and chemistry. The pre-season training has clearly set the team on the right course, but the team dynamic will also play a crucial role as the season continues.
Mason believes that what distinguishes this group is the bonding that extends beyond practice. “The team is led this year by captains Matteo Mazzie and Sofia Flores-Castro, who have done a great job setting the tone. What makes this group special seems to be the camaraderie and friendships that extend beyond practice. Even though cross country can feel like an individual sport, they train and race as a team,” he said.
The shared endurance cross country requires means that success in the sport depends as much on healthy team dynamics as on individual effort. Poly’s team exemplifies this tight-knit team environment, with different grade levels collaborating to help one another. Underclassmen rely on the juniors and seniors for support and confidence while seniors rely on the whole team to take a step up when they fall short. It seems a big portion of this team’s drive comes from their deep connection and bonds.
Of course, while sustaining friendships is important, the team ultimately has its eyes set on qualifying for CIF. Mason shared, “Both teams are showing encouraging signs that they will compete well at the league level and if all goes well could find themselves qualifying for CIF.”
Overall, it looks like this year’s cross country team has bounced back from the loss of their head coach, building on the same values instilled last year, but with more of a bond between the runners.