By Carrie Reynolds, Special to the Independent
Laguna Beach’s freshmen cross-country team successfully ascended to the crown of the imposing Hawk Hill at the Laguna Hills Invitational this past weekend and entered the stadium to capture first place.
Freshmen prepared by wracking up 25 to 35 miles a week this summer and the training paid off with an early season win.
The Laguna Hills field was filled with hundreds of athletes running about in clumps of color, warming up, cooling down, stretching, doing cadence and of course running.
“Feeling the energy and excitement of a meet really helps me to get out there and run fast,” said freshman Cal Nielson, the quickest LBHS freshman on Saturday.
“Treat yourself to a cross country meet this year if you have never seen one in person. It feels like art mixed with energy: humanity in motion,” said freshmen parent Michael Reynolds.
The first 30 athletes to cross the finish line receive a medal, the top seven were scored for the win. Laguna’s top seven freshmen runners who brought in the win, in order: Cal Nielson, Sebastian Fisher, Zack Falkowski, Carter Fraser, Leo Pesquera, Carter Sokolovic, Colin Johnson and Caleb Hardy.
The author is the parent of a cross country runner.
