DOWNEY - The Warren High School girls' cross country team has resumed summer practices after the C.I.F. mandated "dead period" and have picked up right where they left off.Coach Waldron maintains that "this has been the best summer we have ever had." Coach Waldron stated that there have been over 120 girls participating in girls' cross country this summer. Key returners from last year's team include Yajaira Zarate, Tiffany Hernandez, Lali Avila and Silvia Gonzalez. Coach Waldron also said Araseli Ochoa, a converted sprinter turned distance runner, and newcomer Elsa Vazquez will add to the Lady Bears' depth. Key departures from last year include Melissa Quintero to graduation and Azusa Pacific University on a cross country scholarship and Jaspreet Chauhan. In recent years Warren has dominated S.G.V.L. competition but were defeated by Downey early in the season. They bounced back with victories against Downey in round two of league competition and in league finals. According to Waldron, "last year was a wake up call." Waldron maintains that Downey has improved significantly and has "improved quickly in a very short period of time" and expects the Lady Vikings to be highly competitive again this year. Waldron believes that last year was a learning experience and "has put the wheels back on the wagon." Warren is certainly focused on winning league this season. Warren recently competed at Gahr High School in a two mile Summer Series race on Aug. 2.

********** Published: August 09, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 17