Central Valley's varsity boys cross country team has experienced a major turnaround this fall.
Winless at 0-5 during the 2016 Western Athletic Conference dual-meet season, the Hawks kept their perfect record intact with a 23-32 win at Patterson on Oct. 10.
"We've never had this kind of success," Hawks' head coach Veronica Moreno said. "We've been waiting for this moment. There's still more work to do. We can't get too comfortable."
Central Valley (4-0) took over sole possession of first place in the WAC standings.
The Hawks dealt the previously-unbeaten Tigers (3-1) their first conference loss.
"I don't think they felt pressure," Moreno said. "This is what they've always wanted. They're very determined individuals, this whole group of boys. Even when they're exhausted, they know how to push through and run faster."
Central Valley's Andres Rojo continued his run of dominance by placing first for the fourth time against WAC dual-meet competition.
Rojo posted a time of 17 minutes, 51 seconds on the 3.1-mile course in Patterson.
Hawk teammates Isaiah Sanchez (18:19), Sebastian Pena (18:46), Enrique Martinez (18:46) and Christian Balderas (18:47) took second, fifth, seventh and eighth, respectively.
"We have a solid group of boys, not just our top five runners," Moreno said. "They exceed my expectations every meet. They show up to practice every week. They motivate, encourage and push each other. They all work together."
Central Valley will close out the WAC dual-meet campaign today at Ceres River Bluff Regional Park.
The Hawks will face the crosstown-rival Bulldogs.
Central Valley lost 21-37 to Ceres High last season.
"It doesn't matter who the competition is," Moreno said. "You have to prepare the same. We approach every race like it's a race of a lifetime. We know what it takes to be successful. We just have to keep working hard to achieve all of our goals as a team. No matter what happens at the end of league, I'm very proud of them."
The Hawks are striving for an unblemished 5-0 dual record.
"When I first started coaching here, we weren't winning," Moreno said. "It takes more than one season to be successful. We've all learned and grown."
Tigers 21, Hawks 36
Central Valley's varsity girls cross country team lost 21-36 at Patterson last week.
Ramandeep Kaur led the Hawks with a second-place showing.
She completed the 3-mile course in 22 minutes, 21 seconds.
Hawk teammates Rosa Vazquez (23:43), Kimberly Haley (24:26), Emily Curiel (25:00) and Dana Miranda (27:09) finished sixth, seventh, ninth and 12th, respectively.
"It's going to take longer to build the girls' program up," Moreno said. "They're young. They'll do better the upcoming season."
