With both the conference championships and Southern California Regional Championships behind it, the men’s cross-country team looks solid running towards the state championships.

David Cardona and Jose Lezama once again worked together to push past the competition at the South Coast Conference Championships, Cardona finishing first and Lezama second.

“They have been close since the start of the year,” Coach Dean Lofgren said. “Jose ran the majority of the race out in front, and in the end David just out-kicked him.”

Towards the last leg of the race, Cardona and LA Trade Tech runner Pedro DeAlba were neck and neck. Cardona, with one of the best kicks in the state, managed to hang on to the win three seconds ahead of DeAlba.

At the regional championships, it was Lezama’s time to shine, coming in second, with Cardona close behind. The final result was fifth place, a qualifying spot in the state championships.

While biding the time till the State Championships on Nov. 21, the men’s team will train hard, Lofgren added.

“San Bernardino is way ahead of the rest of the competition,” Lofgren said. “They had all seven of their runners finish in the top 22. For us a top three finish in state is not out of the question. Even a top five finish would be good for us.”

Lezama and Cardona will not be reserving their energies for this race, as it will be the last and most important race of their season. One can expect a full bore effort from the top runners.

With sophomores Rio Enomoto, Joey Bianchi, and Noah Lopez all having state championship experience, the men’s team is well prepared for the challenges ahead.

Currently, Daniel Tapia of Hartnell College is the favorite to take state, but Lofgren knows that words on paper are just idle words.

“It’s why we race,” Lofgren said. “We race to lay it on the line, and David and Jose are definitely among the top four runners in the state.”

The women’s team ended the season on a relatively positive note, finishing sixth at the conference championships, first among non-qualifying teams.

“I feel like we had a respectful group,” Lofgren said. “I just think we weren’t quite competitive enough to advance to state.”

While the team did not advance, the team’s leader and most consistent runner, Rebecca Caracoza did manage to advance individually, with an 11th place finish.

“Rebecca is ready for state,” Lofgren said. “Even though she’ll be running individually, all of us will be there to support her.”

With the success of the men’s team and perseverance of the women, regardless of their medically influenced season, Lofgren feels good about his teams.

“We had a really good group of people,” Lofgren said. “Both the men and women were teams full of talent. I couldn’t have asked for more.”