Hawks show power at Nor Cal
Jeff Bennett
Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: Sports
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Saturday Nov. 4, the Hawks made there way to San Mateo for the Nor Cal Championship. With high spirits, the team left the bus to overcast sky and the sight of all the trophies and medals. The team saw the medals and knew that's what they wanted and that's what they were aiming for. Only one medal was to be awarded and that given to Parris Hodges.
"Parris ran an excellent race," said Coach Navarro. "She has such great speed and endurance.'
The speed and endurance earned Hodges more then just a tenth place medal at Nor Cal. Hodges always finished with a time of 19:31, which was nice seconds faster then the school record. With a tenth place finish, Hodges was also awarded a spot in the State Championship on Nov. 18.
Feels Great to have the school record, when I head coach yelling times, I knew I could break the record," said Hodges. "My goal for the race was to break the record and go to state."
After Hodges broke the school record, it was time for the men to try and break some records and get a few medals of their own.
After taking a slow start in the, the men's team had to pick up the pace if they wanted to get any medals or make it to state. The pace got picked up fast as the Hawks started flying there way pass other runner onto their way for medal contention. In the end the Hawks were just out of the medals that they were dreaming about.
"It sucks, I was one place away from getting a medal," said Joey Nenus, who finish two seconds away from a medal.
One of the keys that has hurt the Hawks throughout the season, has been a plague of injuries. This race was no different as two of the seven runners were racing with injures, and fighting the whole way.
"The team ran a valiant race," said Coach Navarro. "We had a couple of guys hurt from possibly over training, which hurt us."
The main injured runner for the Hawks was Ivan Medina. Medina had been nursing a sore leg and decided he wanted to race through the pain. The pain was apparent as his pace got slower through the race, while the pain in his face grew more intense.
"Ivan finished fifth injured which is spectacular," said Coach Navarro. "He ran with lots of courage to finish hurt.'
With injures to the team, someone was going to have to step up and take the load of the injured runners. The load was taken on by Ross Mollenkopf, who finished second on the team instead of his usual forth or fifth.
"Started off race in back of pack and looked at the guy in front of me and passed," said Mollenkopf when asked his strategy. "The energy I had came from the canned peaches I ate this morning," he said with a laugh.
The Hawks have more one chance to win themselves a medal. On Nov. 18 at the State Championship, the Hawks will take on the top teams in the state. If they want to get those medals, the Hawks will have to pick up the pace and take the course by storm.
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