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CV, CHS cross country runners prepare for season
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Maria Diaz (pictured) and her Ceres High cross country teammates will compete under the direction of new head coach Katie Timmermans this fall. - photo by DALE BUTLER/The Courier

Ceres High's cross country program has a new head coach in Katie Timmermans.

Central Valley will compete under the direction of second-year leader Veronica Moreno.

Timmermans graduated from Cal State Stanislaus in May of 2015.

She was a member of the Warriors' cross country and track and field teams for five years.

"I'm pretty excited," said Timmermans, who grew up in Riverside. "I want to set a good base this year. I'm going to take the team I have and build them up the best I can."

Christian Linarez (Jr.), Joshua Madariaga (So.), Angel Macias (Sr.), Roman Acosta (Jr.), Adalberto Rodriguez (Sr.), Jaime Mejia (Jr.), Primitivo Nuno (Sr.), Isaac Soto (Sr.), Isai Soto (Sr.), Jennifer Cisneros (Sr.), Karina Torrez (Sr.), Cristina Arreola (Jr.) Maria Diaz (So.) and Josephina Trevino (Fr.) will lead the Bulldogs.

"Practices have been good," Timmermans said. "I'm trying to get their mileage up. I want every kid to be faster, more confident and more fit by the end of the season."

Andres Rojo (So.), Joseph Juarez (So.), Javier Gradilla (So.), Eric Romo (Sr.), Octavio Hernandez (Jr.), Vanessa Mondragon (Jr.), Marissa Martinez (Sr.), Jazlyn Ramirez (Jr.), Rocio Villasenor (Jr.) and Isabel Ortiz (Jr.) will fill key spots on Central Valley's teams.

"Our goal for the season is to get as many runners to sections as possible," Moreno said. "Hopefully, injuries and the weather do not interfere with our plans."

Ceres High's and Central Valley's girls placed second (5-1) and sixth (1-5), respectively, in the Western Athletic Conference dual-meet standings last fall.

The Bulldogs' and Hawks' boys teams posted identical 2-4 records while tying for fourth place in the WAC in 2014.

"A successful season consists of no injuries, lots of practice, dedication, motivation and a positive attitude," Moreno said. "Ideally, the team would like to place in the top three in the WAC."

"I can't make a prediction," Timmermans said. "I didn't grow up in this area. I'm not familiar with the schools we go against."