Members of Central Valley High School’s cross country program are keeping track of their running progress in journals this season.
Fourth-year head coach Michael Mrgudic provided the diaries.
“I got them running journals,” he said. “They log their miles and workout details. I got the idea from my college coaches. That’s what we did. I wish I would have done it sooner.”
“They’re taking their training more seriously,” Mrgudic added. “I’ve seen the commitment increase.”
Central Valley’s boys team features 20 runners.
The Hawks’ top returners are Kevin Garcia (Sr.), Cesar Hernandez (Sr.), Xavier Ramirez (Sr.), LaDre Sensoury (Sr.), Alexis Landa (Jr.), Joshua Michelena (Jr.), Jackson Stokes (Jr.) and Frankie Klino (So.).
Central Valley’s top newcomers are Jadin Navarro (Sr.), Julian Gomez (So.), Israel Guajardo (So.) and Julian Tapia (Fr.)
Hernandez, Sengsoury and Ramirez have been named team captains.
“I’m challenging them to step up and be leaders on the team,” Mrgudic said.
A newcomer to cross country this past fall, Landa took first at the Central California Conference Frosh-Soph Boys Championships.
He ran the third-fastest time in program history.
Landa finished 21st overall while competing in the Sophomore Boys Division at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-I meet. He bested 28 other runners.
Landa was 22nd at the sub-section championships.
“The sky is the limit for Alexis,” Mrgudic said. “He could become one of Central Valley’s all-time greatest runners before he graduates. He believes in his abilities. He’s fearless. He’s competitive. He wants to win really bad.”
Central Valley’s boys failed to post a team score at the 2022 CCC Championships due to a lack of numbers.
“Our goal is to be a top-five team in conference this year,” Mrgudic said. “We have the potential to. We’re on the right path of being a good team.”
Central Valley’s girls team features just six runners.
“We recruit really hard on campus,” Mrgudic said while talking about the Hawks’ thin roster. “We have posters around the classes and hallways. We lost some athletes to flag football and other things. We just have to keep spreading the word. Cross country is a sport and it’s fun.”
The Hawks have four returners in Ashby Anaya (Sr.), Milianna Rios (Jr.), Samaria Hernandez (So.) and Alyssa Ontiveroz (So.).
Newcomers Jasmin Madriz (Sr.) and Yurianna Garcia (Jr.) round out Central Valley’s roster.
Anaya is a third-year runner.
“It shows her commitment,” Mrgudic said.
Central Valley’s girls didn’t post a team score at the 2022 Central California Conference Championships due to a lack of numbers.
The Hawks will have a thin roster for the second consecutive season.
“The goal isn’t as team-oriented this year,” Mrgudic said. “We don’t have enough girls to score. The goal is to get faster. We’re looking to see their times come down.”
Mrgudic continues to evolve as a head coach.
He talked about demanding more from his runners.
“I’m hoping it can help us make the jump to being a more competitive team,” Mrgudic said. “I don’t want to be the worst team every year. When I first started, I was more easy-going. I didn’t want to scare kids away. I wanted to keep our numbers up. Now, I demand more from my athletes. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t push them to be the best they can be. They’ve responded really well.”
