Carson's Ian Van Rensselaer rounds a turn with a Reed runner at the regional cross country event at Rancho San Rafael Park last year.
Veteran Carson High cross country coach Pete Sinnott isn’t one to make bold predictions.
Sinnott likes this year’s team, but he’s keeping a low profile.
“We have some good kids, but we’re going to have to get a lot better,” Sinnott said. “You don’t get to be a competitor by wanting to be a competitor. You do it by doing the right things; eating right to stay strong.
“We had a nice summer. We had a good turnout. We have a very good schedule this year (Stanford and Clovis), so we have opportunities to improve and get stronger.”
At least on paper, the girls squad looks good with senior Eveline Delgado, Blanca Sosa, Rheanna Jackson, Alison Greene and Jiavanna Wong-Fortunato all back from last year.
Delgado was fifth at regionals and eighth at state a year ago. Jackson was 34th at regionals followed by Sosa 41st, Fortunato 43rd and Greene was 51st.
“Eveline had a very good freshman year,” Sinnott said. “She has had pretty good years since. Cross country is getting stronger and stronger. Centennial (Las Vegas) is top-10 in the nation. She has tough competition.
“Blanca was hurt most of the year (shin splints). She was a nationally ranked runner when she was younger. She has been training in the summer and is a little stronger. Rheanna ran low 20s last year.”
Sinnott likes what he’s seen from youngsters Josefina Ortiz-Osty, Alexia Ball and Chloe Hataway.
“Alexia ran track, but not cross country last year,” Sinnott said. “She has fairly good technique. Josefina looks like she has some potential as a runner.”
The boys team is led by Ian VanRensselaer, who was 11th in regionals and 14th at state a year ago.
“He has had two serious injuries the last two years,” Sinnott said. “He broke his leg skiing and then he broke a bone in his leg running track last spring. He’s starting to run again.”
Miles Bean (34th in regionals) and Kiefer Catron (39th in regionals) also return. Senior Ethan Lopes is also back.
Sinnott has high hopes for Hector Gomez-Barrios, Adam Flaten and Logan Mead. Other runners on the roster are Jared Cartier, Hunter Rauh, Adam Maw and Brandon Basa.
“Hector has worked very hard over the summer,” Sinnott said. “Miles didn’t do a lot of running, but did a lot of biking and swimming.”
Huesser back for Dayton
Coach Shawn Anderson greeted a young team when practice started this week.
“I have a very young team this year and look forward to building them up to be strong competitors,” Anderson said. “In my six seasons of coaching, I have not seen a more dedicated group of runners. They have been running this summer pretty regularly, and we are starting the season already in great running shape.”
The Dust Devils open their season Friday at the Douglas Class Races at Lampe Park and then the Twilight Classic on Sept. 4 in Sparks.
The top returner for the Dayton boys is senior Brady Heusser. He’s complemented by junior Jared Logan and sophomores Austin Duarte.
J.J. Ply opted to concentrate on track, and won’t return. Sydney Strickler, who made state last year, has switched to soccer. Both are big losses for the Dust Devils.
Newcomers to the program are Hunter Hatch, Madsen Evans, Jason Logan, Andrew Matthews, Kobey Workman, Kaeli Barwig and Ashley Binford.