Santiago’s cross-country team aims high as they run for the record! Runners like Rylee Blade, Braelyn Combe, Felix Robles, and Lennon Copas ran for victory at their first meet of the season at the Pomona Fairplex on August 31st. Reaching first, second, and third, all their eyes are set on, etching their names into Santiago’s history books. Racers’ times are available on the app “Finished Results”, and the running course is also available for viewing via the HD Runner’s YouTube channel, titled “2024 XC – Cool Breeze Cross Country Invitational”.
With the second to last race of the day, cross country champion Rylee Blade (12) shattered her record again with her 3-mile race concluding at 15:47 at 1st place, with Braelyn Combe (11) close behind her at 16:45 at 2nd.
For Blade, this was the last first race of her high school career. “I was happy with it. It was a season opener, and I’m glad I started the season with a bang,” says Blade, grinning. She thought for a moment. “I’m kinda sad about this being my last year at Santiago, but I plan on making the most of it. I’m excited for new opportunities out of state for college.”
Combe reflects on the Cool Breeze Invitational. “I think it’s such a great feeling to go from 1st place to 2nd place and that’s not something not many people experience. In my personal opinion, I would much rather lose to a teammate than to someone else.” She thought for a moment and grinned. “I’ve learned so much from Rylee. She’s my idol and like a big sister to me,” says Combe. “I already know she’s going to be so happy at Florida State and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for her. She’s going to go so many places.”
For the male JV runners in the 3-mile run, Felix Robles (11) claims 1st place with a time of 17:11, with Lennon Copas (11) nearly sprinting for the finish line at 3rd place with a time of 17:43.
“Getting first place was a feeling I thought I would never experience,” says Robles, smiling. “It was a bunch of emotions, best feeling I have ever had. I wouldn’t think I would have accomplished getting first place in a meet, but it’s a great feeling, and I’m glad I did it. It means my training has been paying off, and I can’t wait to see how I excel from here.”
For the race’s first half, Lennon Copas remained in 2nd place but was replaced by another runner after the 1.5-mile split. “I could have remained in 2nd place if I kept up with my pace, but since it was so hot out, I don’t think I could have kept up with it,” says Copas. “I’m glad I was in 3rd place, though. I’m just glad I finished the race.”
At 4 o’clock, they paused the race to begin rearranging the course to make the racers safer as the heat increased to 110 degrees. The length of the race was then shortened to 1.5 miles.
Another XC meet that was just as impressive was the PR Invitational. Racing times and places are available via the “Finished Results” app. Located in Norco, the meet – with the weather as high as 110 degrees – made the race even more challenging and made the audience sit anxiously on the edge of their seats. The race course, being the same distance as the first, made the competitors rigorous after finishing. The racers must reach Norco between 5:45 and 6 am, the sun barely peeking from the clouds on race day, to warm up, set up the E-Z up shelters, and get hydrated for the run to come. Freshman boys and girls got to run separately from each other and the years above. The races were close together, beginning 15 minutes apart from each other.
The races began at 7 a.m., and the freshman girls started strong! For the freshman girls, Santiago achieved 4th place, with Nessa Tran in 3rd place at 20:18. The freshman boys dominated their heat overall.
The sophomore girls and boys also crushed it, placing first in both heats. Noah Lay took third place at 15:46, and Sofia Ramirez ran 18:06 to place fourth on the 3-mile run.
Junior girls also got first place in their heat, with Taylor Davis running 18:15 in 1st place. In the junior boys’ run, Robles achieved 20th place at 16:44, with Copas close behind him at 16:52, personal bests for both runners.
“During that race, I knew there were some faster runners in this race, but I PR’d at this meet,” says Robles. The previous meet, his time was 17:11, and all he was aiming for was breaking 17 minutes.”I wasn’t feeling great at this particular meet since I was sick, but I’m glad I made it through this race and am looking forward to the next race.”
Combe and Blade didn’t compete in the PR Invitational but offered and gave their teammates emotional support.
The senior boys achieved first place, with Jace Lay saving the day at 14:57. The day’s final race ended at 8:45 a.m.
It’s safe to say that Santiago’s cross-country team is not to be messed with this year. Watch out, Go Sharks!
