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By Rosa Shields
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Sep. 26, 2008 |
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Last year’s varsity lineup for the cross-country team has turned into the list of those that have left.
Since five male top varsity runners — Junior Casey Lee, senior Carlin Lee, senior Eric Rodriguez, senior Michael Lee and senior Peter Yu — have not returned, the team has had to stay strong in the face of opposition. “We’re suffering a huge loss with many championship runners quitting,” cross-country coach and physical education teacher Michael Prutz said. According to Prutz, the seniors left because of their heavy workload. “Sometimes seniors have a lot going with applications, essays and a new school year,” Prutz said. “If you add cross country into the mix, it’s a lot to handle.”
Former varsity runner junior Casey Lee says he left the team because he found the rules too strict, specifically the absence policy. “ Two unexcused absences and you’re off the team,” Lee said. “I can’t improve if I’m being held back by rules.” Lee plans to train on his own for out-of-school cross country and track races.
Though Prutz believes Lee’s criticism is valid, he finds it necessary to set rules and regulations for the team. “When you have 58 people on a team, you need to build and provide structure,” Prutz said. “People need to know what to do and what the game plan is.”
Now Prutz and the varsity girls’ team are counting on the rest of the male runners more than ever. “Some boys didn’t agree with the coaching style, so we don’t really have a varsity boys team right now,” varsity runner junior Justine Creed said. “We’re hoping that the sophomores and juniors can step up to defend our title from other schools.
Among those replacing the varsity boys will be juniors Sam Mallonee and Riley Clewes and sophomore Corey Worthington.
These new varsity boys will make a crucial contribution towards defeating the team’s two main competitors, Lincoln and Galileo, who will both be running in the Lowell Invitational tomorrow. Because the California Interscholastic Federation canceled the Mills Invitational, originally scheduled for last Saturday, the cross-country team will run its first meet of the season on Saturday.
“It’s a great chance for me to see the new freshmen and sophomores, since all the members of the team will be running,” Prutz said.
Come watch this meet at 8 a.m. tomorrow in Golden Gate Park.
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