Cross country’s new changes translate to a successful season

After girls’ varsity took first and boys’ varsity second at Ocean League Championships, Samo Cross Country has reigned another successful season. New changes this season have altered the teams’ training and competition, allowing them to succeed. Strong leadership from girls’ varsity runners has further give the team a good chance of advancing to playoffs.In the toughest race of the season at the Kenny Hahn State Recreation Area, both the boys’ and girls’ teams came out victorious. Girls’ varsity players earned won first, second, third, fourth and fifth in the run. Varsity boys’ runner Lucas Jackson (’16) set the Samo course record by running 16:29.27, and he went on to be league individual champion. Jackson was the only Samo runner to make it to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) finals this season. He came in 20th overall, just missing the mark to make it to state.According to Coach Fischer, another key leader is Anya Sturm (’18),  who has been a standout competitor. She won first place at league finals with a personal record of 18:27.50.Due to its flat course, many of the runners’ favorite race this season was the Woodbridge Invitational. Numerous runners including Lucas Jackson (’16), Kasia Kryzanowski (’16), Anya Sturm (’18) and Daniel Cohen (’18) accomplished personal records.This season, boys’ varsity team is entirely composed of 10th and 11th graders. Due to this unusual circumstance, the team considers this a transitional year. The players  are looking to build up to a strong varsity boys team in 2015, according to varsity runner Chris Alba (’16).Another alteration this year includes the elimination of fall track conditioning, as all track runners have ran for cross country this season. The change has improved both the sprinters and distance runners by building their endurance and providing them with more competition experience.Girls’ varsity track sprinter Halimat Adeyemi (’16) has seen vast differences in her progress on the team because she ran cross country this year.“Thanks to cross country, I gained endurance that will help me with my 400 during track season,” Adeyemi said.With the introduction of these various changes, cross country has had a successful season and looks to next year with more goals and aspirations.“We have been getting more and more competitive year by year and we are making a name for ourselves,” girls’ varsity captain Jessica Bonilla (’15) said. “People are starting to notice Santa Monica and our team, and our runners are backing it up with their great times.”