Central Valley’s roster size for cross country has grown exponentially since Veronica Moreno took over as head coach in 2014.
The Hawks have also made great strides under Moreno’s leadership.
"We’re a family. We work out and run together. We support one another. We have a shared passion.”Coach Veronica Moreno
“Students want to be a part of this program,” she said. “It’s more than just competing. We’re a family. We work out and run together. We support one another. We have a shared passion.”
Central Valley’s varsity boys team reached unprecedented heights last fall.
The Hawks won the 2017 Western Athletic Conference overall title by virtue of their first-place finish at the league finals and 5-0 record during the dual-meet season.
Central Valley had five runners medal at the WAC Championships, including 2018 returnees Chase Bogart (Sr.), Favio Gonzalez (Jr.) and Enrique Martinez (Jr).
Bogart, Gonzalez and Martinez placed third, fifth and eighth, respectively.
Christian Balderas (So.), Javier Cuevas (Sr.), Alejandro Gonzalez (So.), Patric Senesom (Jr.), Sabino Urrutia (Sr.), Hector Arvizu (Jr.) and Eric Andrade (Jr.) also returned to the team this year.
Central Valley’s varsity girls team finished in third place at the WAC Championships for the second year in a row last fall. The Hawks went 2-3 during the conference dual campaign.
Central Valley’s top finisher at the league finals was Vanesa Contreras (12th place).
Contreras (Sr.) will suit up for the 2018 team, along with Aryanna Jimenez (Jr.).
Raquel Barrera (Jr.), Claudia Gomez-Enriquez (Jr.), Carla Martinez (Jr.), Guadalupe Gonzalez (So.) and Adriana Huaracha (So.), members of Central Valley’s 2017 WAC champion frosh-soph girls team, will contribute at the varsity level this season.
Priscilla Garcia (So.), Abigial Garcia (So.) and Carolina Irizarry (Fr.) are newcomers.
The Hawks will face new competition this year.
Central Valley moved from the WAC to the Central California Conference as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s league realignment plan.
The Hawks, Patterson Tigers, Atwater Falcons, Buhach Colony Thunder, Merced Bears and Golden Valley Cougars will challenge each other during the CCC’s three cluster meets.
“We’re not going to have any issues keeping up with the teams in this league,” Moreno said. “I’m hoping we get top three or better.”
