Mira Loma Cross Country Has Young Talent

The cross country team has expanded in two years under coach Dave Kretzmann and team members say they're looking to make even more progress this season.

"We've gone from three kids in cross country to 42," Kretzmann said. "We have some good young talent. They're committed."

Drake Landry is a senior and ran 13 minutes, 48 seconds over a 2.2. mile course at the Wolverine Invitational and about 18 minutes flat over a three-mile course at .

"We're definitely getting better as a team," Landry said. "We have kids who have potential."

Linda Sancrant is a sophomore and is averaging a nine-minute mile on the junior varsity team.

"This year, the team has done great," Sancrant said. "We have decent runners and I expect some to make sectionals."

Fellow sophomore Shamus Molony took first at the Renfree meet in 12 minutes, 43 seconds over a 2.1-mile course and 11 minutes, 25 seconds over two miles at Rio.

"In this area, our older runners say Bella Vista (of Fair Oaks) runners are good," Molony said. "I think we can take them."

The team is preparing for the Calaveras meet on Saturday. Kretzmann is having the team running on hills around to prepare for that terrain.

"It takes a consistent desire and committment to train," he said. "I look for them to continue to improve and have fun."