Giants open cross country season with home tri-meet
By Nick Giannandrea
COS ATHLETICS
With an excitement to compete for the first time since 2019, and an eye toward preparing for the start of track and field in April, College of the Sequoias' cross country team is set to launch its season in a rare home meet.
The Giants, who haven't had a home cross country meet since 2014, will host Allan Hancock and Cuesta on March 12 in a three-way meet at the COS Farm in Tulare. The four-kilometer women's race starts at 2 p.m., with the four-mile men's race beginning at 2:45 p.m. Spectators are not allowed at this time, but live results can be viewed at https://results.caltiming.com/meets/7571.
Sequoias is one of a small group of California community colleges offering cross country in what has been a months-delays and now abbreviated season because of precautions related to the coronavirus pandemic. Only 10 of 61 men's teams and 12 of 64 women's teams across the state elected to compete in what will be a month-long season without conference, Northern California or state championship meets.
"We give thanks to our administration, to (President/Superintendent) Brent Calvin and (Athletics Director) Brent Davis and the training staff for fighting for sports to get through," Giants coach David Sanchez said. "The school could have shut it down if they wanted to, so we're thankful for the opportunity. Each one (of Sequoias' runners) is looking forward to wearing that COS jersey and making the most of it."
The Giants' men return two runners off last season's team that finished sixth in the state and first in Northern California: sophomores Evan Loftin (El Diamante) and Cristobal Vasquez (Lindsay).
"They both bring that experience," Sanchez said. "They are going to be our leaders."
Loftin placed 54th in the 127-runner field during the state meet on Nov. 23, 2019, at Fresno's Woodward Park in 21 minutes, 51.1 seconds. Loftin also was 11th at the NorCal Regionals in 21:01.0.
"Evan could be one of the top runners in the state for cross country and track," Sanchez said. "His worth ethic is phenomenal. He wants to improve and he wants to get himself out of the community college level. He definitely has the potential to be recruited by a four-year school."
Vasquez didn't qualify for the state finals last season, but finished 44th out of 120 runners during the NorCal Regionals on Nov. 8, 2019, at Salinas' Toro Park.
"He's been working hard," Sanchez said. "Even during the downtime, he was asking how he could get better and putting in the miles."
Sequoias' five-member men's team also includes freshmen Lionel Aguayo (Lindsay), Juan Santacruz (El Diamante) and Matthew Jarret (Reedley).
Aguayo was a California Interscholastic Federation State Championships participant in 2019, placing 78th out of 217 runners in the Division III boys race in 16:36.5 at 5,000 meters.
Santacruz and Jarret each competed in the Central Section Division II Championships in 2019, with Santacruz placing 13th out of 109 runners in 16:24.63, and Jarret finishing 41st in 17:26.62.
Jarret initially went to Minot State, an NCAA Division II university in North Dakota, out of high school but elected to return closer to home because of Covid-19 concerns.
"They have all been improving a lot and beating their times from high school just in training," Sanchez said. "They are showing a lot of potential."
Sequoias has one female runner, Ximena Ramos of Reedley, in a season where the program's only other meet is scheduled for March 26 in San Luis Obispo in another tri-meet against Allan Hancock and Cuesta.
Ramos placed 16th in the Central Section Division II girls race in 2019, covering the 5,000-meter course in 20:50.85. Ramos was named one of 24 girl recipients of an award and scholarship presented by the Junior League of Fresno that recognizes achievement in high school athletics, academics and citizenship.
"She brings a lot to the table," Sanchez said.
All six Giants' runners are using the two-meet cross country season to prepare for track and field, where they will compete in events such as the 800-meters, 1,500, 5K and 10K.
"We're using this as a stepping stone, to get their legs moving again and get the cobwebs out," Sanchez said. "All these athletes have been showing up and working hard, staying consistent and handling the adversity that life's been throwing at them."
COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS 2020-2021 CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE
March 12: vs. Allan Hancock and Cuesta, 3 p.m. at COS Farm
March 26: vs. Allan Hancock and Cuesta, TBA in San Luis Obispo
