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Central Valley boys, girls teams to rely on talent, depth
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Third-year runner Chase Bogart will try to help lead Central Valleys varsity boys cross country team to a major turnaround in 2017. The Hawks placed sixth in the Western Athletic Conference dual-meet standings last fall. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Central Valley High School's cross country roster features 62 runners.

"This is the largest, committed team I've ever had," Hawks' fourth-year head coach Veronica Moreno said. "They're like a family. They help and motivate each other."

Central Valley's varsity boys team has high hopes for the 2017 season.

"Our goal is to win the Western Athletic Conference title," Moreno said. "We talk about it all the time-every day, every week."

Returnees Andres Rojo (Sr.), Chase Bogart (Jr.), Sebastian Pena (So.) and Enrique Martinez (So.) will lead the way.

Central Valley's top newcomers are Isaiah Sanchez (Sr.) and Christian Balderas (Fr.).

Rojo and Bogart are third-year runners.

Pena and Martinez competed at the varsity level as freshmen.

Chase was awarded an all-league patch following his eighth-place finish (18:59) at the 2016 WAC Championships, staged on a 3.1-mile course at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.

Pena (19:15) and Martinez (19:33) took 11th and 17th, respectively.
"They know what it takes to be successful," Moreno said.

Moreno believes the Hawks will be in the running for the conference title this year because of their talent, experience and depth.

Central Valley posted a team score of 105 en route to a fifth-place finish at the WAC finals last fall.

The Hawks took sixth (0-5) during the conference dual season.

"I'd be very proud of my team if we won the WAC title," Moreno said.

Central Valley's girls team returns four key runners from a year ago in Dana Miranda (Sr.), Ramandeep Kaur (Sr.), Vanessa Contreras (Jr.) and Emily Curiel (Sr.).

The Hawks' top newcomer is Kimberly Haley (Sr.).

"We'll be competitive," Moreno said.

Central Valley turned in a surprising performance at the WAC Championships last fall.

The Hawks totaled 83 points while finishing in third place in the team standings.

Miranda just missed earning an all-league patch.

Dana placed 10th (24:19).

The top eight runners were recognized.

Kaur (25:08), Contreras (25:31) and Curiel (25:46) took 13th, 15th and 19th, respectively.
Central Valley took fifth (1-4) during the 2016 WAC dual campaign.
"We'll try to win as many races as we can," Moreno said.